Is it time to worry about the Chicago Cubs starting rotation?

With Kyle Hendricks and now Cole Hamels to the injured list, the Chicago Cubs need the rest of the starters to step up in a big way to close the first half.

Chicago Cubs fans held their breath and assumed the worse when Cole Hamels left Friday night’s game against the Reds before throwing a pitch in the second inning. After a few tosses on the mound to warm up, Hamels quickly left the field with discomfort in his left side. He was diagnosed with a left oblique strain and was placed on the 10-day IL.

Oblique injuries can vary in severity and can range from days to weeks to months depending on how bad it is. The MRI which will take place this weekend will give fans a clearer answer, but one thing is for sure: Hamels will be sidelined for the remainder of the first half. This means Chicago probably will see neither him nor Kyle Hendricks, their two best starters this year, until after the All-Star Game.

Hamels entered Friday leading the starters in ERA (2.92) and innings pitched (98 2/3) with his 3.55 FIP just second behind Hendricks’ 3.49. Hamels had a 1.00 ERA, .198 average against, 9.0 K/9 and 0.889 WHIP in five June starts. Long story short the rest of the guys in the rotation need to really come together and pitch more efficiently now more than ever.