Chicago Cubs: Three free agent starting pitching options in wake of Quintana injury

Jose Quinta na’s injury could force the Cubs to turn to the free agent market.

On the precipice of the beginning of a condensed Major League Baseball season, the Chicago Cubs received less-than-stellar news when reports of Jose Quintana‘s accident broke. While at home washing dishes, it was reported, Quintana suffered a laceration on his left thumb, requiring five stitches.

Quintana received those five stitches and underwent microscopic surgery to determine the seriousness of the injury fully. The MLB season is set to kick off July 24. Quintana cannot start throwing for at least two weeks before a determination is made for the timetable on his return to the rotation.

A bad break for a Cubs team already in need of every starter to be healthy, this latest news poses an interesting question for the club. They could turn to Alec Mills as a possible spot starter until Quintana returns, or they could opt to look at the available pitchers on the market. If the latter becomes the course of action the front office pursues, what are some of the names we’ll be hearing?