Chicago Cubs: Team acquires Daniel Murphy, loses Yu Darvish for year

The Chicago Cubs shored up the offense, picking up Daniel Murphy off waivers, while also learning they’ll be without Yu Darvish for the rest of 2018.

It’s hard to say whether Chicago Cubs fans consider Tuesday to be a good day, bad day or something in-between. Likely the latter, as Theo Epstein hopes his waiver wire addition can breathe life into his offense – which gains even more significance with the new of Yu Darvish’s injury.

Let’s start there. Darvish, pulled from his first rehab start after experiencing pain in his arm, received MRI results. They indicated a stress reaction in his right elbow – a precursor to a stress fracture. With that said, the right-hander will be shut down for six weeks, ending his 2018 campaign.

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“He’s tried to push through a lot of things, and obviously there’s something there that we have to respect,” Joe Maddon said. “All year I’ve never doubted that he’s hurting, but I guess now we have more definitive measures based on the test that was utilized.

Darvish ends the year with a. 4.95 ERA in eight starts. His last outing came on May 20 – so, really, it’s not anything new for the Cubs. All we can hope is that the offseason helps Darvish get healthy and come into 2019 with a vengeance.

As for Murphy, he joined Matt Adams as two pieces the Washington Nationals unloaded ahead of the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.

The second baseman has been white-hot since the All-Star Break and, with Addison Russell battling injuries, hopefully provides some stability at the dish.

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What’s Next

The Cubs conclude their two-game set in Detroit on Wednesday evening. Jon Lester (13-5, 3.72) takes on fellow left-hander Francisco Liriano (3-8, 4.72).