Chicago Cubs: Is the Jose Quintana era coming to a sudden close?

The injury to the Chicago Cubs veteran lefty has his season in question for the time being, and there is no specific timetable.

The Chicago Cubs are dealing with their first significant injury of the 60-game 2020 season. The Cubs confirmed in a statement that veteran starter Jose Quintana suffered a lacerated left thumb while washing dishes. Quintana needed microscopic surgery and five stitches on his thumb and is sidelined for at least several weeks.

Local ESPN Cubs beat Jesse Rogers got quotes from Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein regarding the situation. Epstein said that he is hoping for the best, but that Quintana’s timetable is unknown. Best case scenario, he can start throwing again in a few weeks, but it could be longer. He also mentioned that the pitching depth is going to need to step up in Quintana’s absence.

With the season being so short and not even 100% certain it will happen with the pandemic, who knows how much longer the Cubs will have of Quintana. His contract is up this year and will become a free agent in November. Everyone remembers what the Cubs gave up to get him in July 2017, and it’s safe to say fans are somewhat frustrated with how things have turned out since the trade. Could this be an end of an era?