No set return date for injured Cubs pitcher.

Chicago Cubs Pitcher Marcus Stroman Sidelined with Rib Cartilage Fracture

CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago Cubs have received unfortunate news regarding right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman. Stroman has been diagnosed with a right rib cartilage fracture, adding to the team’s growing list of injured players. There is currently no timetable for Stroman’s return to the field.

This latest injury comes after Stroman was already placed on the 15-day injured list on August 2nd due to inflammation in his right hip. The Cubs had hoped for his return and had scheduled him to start against the White Sox on Wednesday. However, Stroman experienced discomfort in the rib area after a bullpen session, leading to further medical examination.

The results of an MRI confirmed the presence of a cartilage fracture, a rare injury for a pitcher. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer expressed surprise, stating, “It’s not your usual pitching injury. It’s not an arm. It’s not a shoulder. It’s not an elbow.”

Uncertainty Surrounds Stroman’s Return

Without a clear understanding of this unique injury, the Cubs are eager for Stroman to be symptom-free before he resumes any baseball activities. The team is uncertain when the All-Star pitcher will reach that point, making a potential timeline for his return difficult to predict.

Hoyer and manager David Ross were cautious when discussing a return date for Stroman. Hoyer stated, “We don’t really know at this point. I think we’ll obviously give him a real rest period and see how he feels. But again, it’s not a real common pitching injury. I’ve never seen that before, so for me to speculate would be just false.”

A Challenging Season for Stroman

The news of Stroman’s injury comes at a challenging time for the 32-year-old pitcher, who will become a free agent after the season. Despite a strong start to the year with a 2.28 ERA in his first 16 starts, Stroman struggled in his most recent games. He recorded a 1-4 record with a 9.00 ERA in his last nine appearances.

Rotation Adjustments

In Stroman’s absence, the Cubs have had to rearrange their pitching rotation. Javier Assad started the series finale against the White Sox and delivered an impressive performance, allowing three runs over six innings in the Cubs’ 4-3 victory. Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski are also being considered as rotation options to fill Stroman’s position.

Smyly, who recently showed improvement with two consecutive scoreless innings, including a win on Wednesday night, is hoping to regain his form after a challenging stretch where he posted a 9.00 ERA in eight appearances, including six starts.

Optimism in the Face of Adversity

Despite the setbacks, Cubs manager David Ross remains positive about the team’s prospects. He believes they have a strong roster, including a talented starting staff and bullpen, capable of competing with anyone. Ross emphasizes that on any given day, any member of the team can step up and secure a win.

Conclusion

The Chicago Cubs face a significant blow with the injury to pitcher Marcus Stroman and his uncertain timeline for return. The team will need to rely on their depth and the resilience of their players as they continue their pursuit of a playoff appearance, hoping for the best possible outcome for Stroman’s recovery.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb