Chicago Cubs: Craig Kimbrel on IL and the fate of the bullpen

With Craig Kimbrel on the IL with knee inflammation, Brandon Kintzler’s evaluation for right pectoral discomfort and Steve Cishek not at his best, where does the fate of the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen lie?

The Chicago Cubs placed closer Craig Kimbrel on the Injured List, on Monday with knee inflammation after feeling discomfort after his outing on Sunday. Kimbrel, 31, remained a free agent until he signed with the Cubs in June. The $43 million deal, keeping him in Chicago for three years.

The Cubs added the former Red Sox closer as a much-needed arm out of the pen, and since the singing has brought some stability to an unstable bullpen. Since his addition to the team, Kimbrel has had nine saves, in 11 save situations, with a 5.68 ERA in the span of 14 games.

Though Kimbrel had meniscus surgery in 2016 on his left knee, he doesn’t think that the arising knee inflammation is as serious as that was. Fortunately, the Cubs don’t believe that Kimbrel will miss more than the minimum 10 days on the Injured List.

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In fact, before Monday’s game, Kimbrel discussed how he felt his recent form was up to par with the form he had when he helped lead the Red Sox to the 2016 World Series.

He also mentioned how he believed he could have pitched in Monday’s game, despite the injury, but he didn’t want his condition to worsen.

Despite the absence of Kimbrel on Monday night, the Cubs still beat the Oakland Athletics 6-5 in an interleague game at Wrigley. However, this was thanks to the team’s offense, led by Javier Baez on the fifth anniversary of his first major league game.

The reality is, regardless of the win, the bullpen missed Kimbrel last night. In addition, other bullpen troubles, including reliever Brandon Kintzler’s sore right pec. The former All-Star closer left Monday’s game before the ninth inning, feeling discomfort in his right pectoral.

Just as long as this isn’t more than a cramp, Kintzler shouldn’t be out for too long.  This year, Kintzler has a 2.33 ERA in the span of 49 games, proving himself to be one of the steadiest relievers in the Cubs’ pen, if not the steadiest this season.

With relievers such as Steve Cishek being unusually shaky recently, the quick return of Kimbrel and Kintzler is vital to the success of this ballclub. The 33-year-old right-hander gave up home runs to Nick Martini and Marcus Semien of the Athletics on Monday night, showing a lack of consistency. This season, Cishek has a 3.47 ERA and seven saves in the span of 53 games pitched.