Chicago Cubs: Assessing the North Siders’ injuries

Brett Anderson, 60-Day DL

The Chicago Cubs signed Brett Anderson to a one-year deal this off-season. The lefty was brought in to help fill the vacant fifth starters’ spot. Before joining the Cubs, Anderson had dealt with injuries, the most recent of which required him to have back surgery in 2016.

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Through Anderson’s first two starts of 2017, the lefty looked like the answer to the Cubs’ problems. In 10 2/3 innings, Anderson compiled a 0.84 ERA with six strikeouts and five walks. Despite this fast start, Anderson soon began to regress.

In two starts in the month of May, Anderson allowed 12 earned runs and pitched just 1 2/3 innings. One day after his start on May 6, Anderson was placed on the DL with a back strain.

At first, Anderson went on the 10-Day DL. To open up a roster spot, he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 8.

Since being transferred, Anderson has made a rehab start in Double-A. That start occurred on Sunday. In four innings of work, Anderson surrendered one earned run on five hits. The 29-year-old did not walk or strikeout any of the 15 batters he faced.

It would seem likely Anderson would need multiple rehab starts before he comes off the DL. This would push his time-table for return to around the All-Star break.

Once Anderson is healthy, it will be interesting to see how the Cubs use him. In Anderson’s absence, Eddie Butler has been solid, posting a 4-2 record and 3.71 ERA in nine starts.

Kyle Hendricks, 10-Day DL

Last season, Kyle Hendricks was one of the best pitches in baseball. At 26 years old, Hendricks recorded a 2.13 ERA with 170 strikeouts in 190 innings pitched. That outstanding effort propelled him to finish third in the NL Cy Young voting behind Max Scherzer and Jon Lester.

For Hendricks, 2017 has been a different story. In 11 starts, Hendricks has posted a 4.09 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings pitched.

Part of Hendricks’ struggles can be traced to tendinitis in his throwing hand that landed him on the DL on June 5. When Hendricks was first placed on the DL, many thought he would only be on the shelf about two weeks. In fact, in an article written by Chris Kuc and Mark Gonzales for the Chicago Tribune, Cubs’ President Theo Epstein was quoted as saying as much.

Now, it’s almost a month later and Hendricks is still on the mend. The reason for Hendricks’ extended stay on the DL can be traced to a setback suffered a week after he was placed on the DL.

This setback will likely cost the righty a month of action. After throwing pain-free this weekend, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs could get Hendricks back right after the All-Star break.

Filling in for Hendricks during his DL stint has been Mike Montgomery. Montgomery has made four starts and recorded a 3.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts and eight walks in 21 innings pitched.

Ben Zobrist, 10-Day DL

Ben Zobrist made his third All-Star team in 2016 after slashing .272/.386/.446 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI. In addition to that, the 6-3 do-everything-man won World Series MVP honors. In 28 World Series at-bats, Zobrist slashed .357/.419/.500 with two doubles and a triple.

Like many Cubs players, Zobrist has not enjoyed much success at the plate this season. In 24 games, the 36-year-old is slashing .223/.321/.394 with seven home runs and 21 RBI.

Zobrist’s rough start was put on hold on June 16 when he was placed on the DL with left wrist pain.

After experiencing no pain while swinging a bat earlier in the week, Zobrist was scheduled for a rehab assignment. That will start on Thursday with the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate.

Depending on how the rehab assignment goes, Zobrist could come off the DL at any point this week.

The addition of Zobrist will be a huge boost for the Cubs heading into the All-Star break. With Zobrist on the shelf, Tommy La Stella, Ian Happ, and Javier Baez have filled in at second base.

Jason Heyward, 10-Day DL

Unlike much of the Cubs’ roster, Jason Heyward is enjoying a bounce-back season from a year ago. After slashing .230/.306/.325 in 2016, Heyward realized a change was needed. Heyward worked in the off-season to “re-tool” his swing and close the gaps in his game.

Heyward’s work in the off-season seems to be helping. In 55 games, Heyward is slashing .258/.315/.399 with six home runs and 29 RBI.

Despite his solid start, Heyward was placed on the DL last week. Heyward suffered a cut on his right hand after attempting to catch a foul ball.

Heyward’s injury does not seem to be serious but will need some time to heal before the 27-year-old will be able to return to action. The three-time Gold Glover is eligible to come off the DL later this week and seems to be on pace to make that happen.

In Heyward’s absence, Jon Jay, Kris Bryant, and Mark Zagunis have played right field.

Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Day-to-Day

Addison Russell, who has been dealing with shoulder soreness, had not appeared in the starting line-up since Sunday. However, Russell did start Thursday night’s contest against the Nationals.

While Russell has not been placed on the DL, a stint may do the 23-year-old some good. Hitting just .227, Russell owns an OBP south of .300.

Javier Baez has been filling in for Russell at shortstop. Baez has clubbed ten home runs this season and has been flashing the leather left and right. Perhaps, the solid play of Baez will affect the club’s decision to place Russell on the DL.

Reigning MVP bitten by injury bug

Despite hitting a modest .264, Bryant owns a .395 OBP in 74 games this season. In addition to that, Bryant has clubbed 16 home runs and recorded 32 RBI.

While Bryant is not having the type of season he had last year, he has remained an important part of the Cubs’ offense.

With the team struggling, this was perhaps the worse time for Bryant to go down with an injury. In Wednesday’s 8-4 loss to the Nationals, Bryant was forced to leave the game after rolling his ankle while catching a pop-up.

After the game, it was confirmed that Bryant suffered a sprained ankle. While the Cubs dodged a bullet with the severity of the injury, Bryant will likely miss two or three games. Even though a DL stint has not been ruled out, Bryant seems to be feeling better. This is good news for the Cubs as they look to make a push before the All-Star break.

The Cubs can use the All-Star break to get healthy

Just like last season with Dexter Fowler, the Cubs can utilize the All-Star break to get some key pieces healthy. The North Siders will likely get Heyward and Zobrist back before the break, but Hendricks and Anderson will likely remain on the DL until after the break.

If either Kris Bryant or Addison Russell hit the DL before the All-Star break, they will likely return after the festivities.

Right now, the Cubs are a bit banged up. This could be a contributing factor to their poor play thus far. Many hope that once the Cubs return all their players to full strength, they will take off. I for one hope that is the case too, but only time will tell.

Next: Chicago Cubs visit White House for second World Series celebration

For now, Cubs’ fans need to keep the faith. Remember, this team is so young and talented that they have to go on a run at some point in the near future.