Darwin Barney Joins the Walking Dead

The blog post headline may be a sneaky attempt to get your attention and piggy back on the anticipated season finale of the popular AMC television show, but the growing list of players on the Cubs injury list is definitely discouraging any hope for the 2013 season more than one’s chances for survival in the event of a zombie apocalypse.

The Cubs have already gone through training camp losing Matt Garza, Scott Baker, and Ian Stewart. Josh Vitters and Brett Jackson, a pair of prospects that spent a few games with the big league club late last season, also spent a significant amount of the Spring sidelined by injury. Then there was the hamstring scare for Cubs cornerstone Starlin Castro, Junior Lake suffering from a stress fracture in a rib, and Arodys Vizcaino was officially placed on the 60 day disabled list.

March 19, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney (15) makes the play for the out against the Texas Rangers in the fourth inning during a spring training game at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Where ever Lou Piniella may be today, I swear I just heard him mention the words “Cubbie occurrence” again. On the final day of Spring games, being played in Houston and not in Arizona, Darwin Barney suffered a gash to his knee while chasing after a foul pop. The cut required five stitches and the Cubs starting second baseman will not be actively participating in the Opening Day festivities. Of greater concern is the fact that a stint on the DL has not been ruled out.

Time on the disable list to start the season would short hand an already depleted infield depth wise. There really is no solution on the current 40 man roster, so the Cubs may end up having to keep Alberto Gonzalez around after all. One of Luis Valbuena or Brent Lillibridge will man the second sack on April 1st, with the other remaining at third base.

Here’s hoping that nothing else happens to the health of Cubs plays on the trip back to Chicago and on to Pittsburgh for Opening Day.