The Chicago Cubs’ injury troubles continue to mount as they added another starting pitcher to the injured list on Thursday afternoon. The latest casualty is 26-year-old right-hander Javier Assad, who has been placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm extensor strain.
Assad has been a bright spot in Chicago’s rotation this season, boasting a 3.04 ERA over 83 innings pitched across 16 starts. His 79 strikeouts against 33 walks provide a clearer picture of his impact, overshadowing his modest 4-3 record, which has been marred by the Cubs’ bullpen struggles.
Assad joins Ben Brown and Jordan Wicks on the injured list, further depleting an already thin starting rotation. This comes at a time when the Cubs can ill afford more injuries, especially given their current standing.
The bullpen isn’t faring any better. Right-hander Yency Almonte was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL due to a right shoulder strain. The relentless string of pitching injuries has made it increasingly difficult for the Cubs to maintain any consistency.
With a record of 37-44 and sitting in last place in the National League Central, the Cubs find themselves in a precarious position. The injuries have taken a toll, and while the management continues to make moves to patch the holes, the season is beginning to look like a lost cause for The North Siders.
For the Cubs to have any hope of climbing back into the National League Wild Card race, they’ll need an offensive surge in the coming weeks. As the second half of the season kicks off, the Cubs must find a way to compensate for their pitching woes and capitalize on any opportunities to turn their fortunes around.
