Chicago Cubs: Carl Edwards Jr. suffers injury, headed to IL

Chicago Cubs right-handed relief pitcher, Carl Edwards Jr. is heading to the 10-day injured list with a left thoracic strain.

Now as Chicago Cubs fans we all know the season that relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. has had at this point of the season. It all started back in spring training with Edwards working on a new delivery form that added a “toe tap” in his delivery.  He had tweaked it all spring training and finally decided to use that new delivery during the regular season.

Then when he used this new delivery in the first week of the season, the MLB told him that the toe tap was illegal and he could not use it. This set Edwards back from the very beginning of the season.

Those first few weeks Edwards really struggled on the mound.  In Edwards first four appearances of the season, he allowed six runs, on three hits, five walks, and two home runs.  During this stretch Edwards body language on the mound was not great, you could tell something was wrong.

So then on April 6, Edwards was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to work on his game. This had to be tough for Edwards because we all have seen when he is locked in he has some of the best stuff in the entire Cubs bullpen.

Then on May 6, he was called back up to the big league team, and since then he has been outstanding. Since his return to the Cubs Edwards has had a 2.03 ERA with 15 strikeouts and only three walks in 13 1/3 innings. During that time frame, he has only given up four hits and limited hitters to a .093 average.

Those are some excellent numbers for a guy that had struggled so much to start the season. I think the most surprising stat to see is only issuing three walks because we all know how much Edwards has struggled with the walks, but it seems like he is starting to turn a corner for good.

Then yesterday Edwards was placed on the 10- day IL (retroactive to June 10) for a left thoracic strain in his upper back. This is tough for Edwards because he has been so good since he has been back from Triple-A. With Edwards going to the IL the Cubs called up left-handed reliever Tim Collins, who pitched last night in Los Angeles. Hopefully, Edwards can get back as soon as possible and continue where he left off.