Biggest threat to the Cubs in the NL Central gets a huge name back from the IL

The Chicago Cubs have managed to hold onto first place in the National League Central, even as their lead waned to a handful of games in late June and early July. The path to their first full-season division title since 2017 won't be easy - and it may have just gotten a touch more challenging with the Milwaukee Brewers getting a major name back from the injured list.

After missing more than 650 days, right-hander Brandon Woodruff returned to the mound for the Brewers on Sunday in dominant fashion, tossing six innings of one-run ball, punching out eight to lead Milwaukee to a 3-1 win over the Miami Marlins.

For the better part of a decade, Woodruff was a staple in the Brewers' rotation, working to an impressive 2.98 ERA/3.12 FIP across 637 1/3 innings of work from 2018 to 2023. During that span, he was a two-time All-Star and even finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting in 2021 after posting a 2.56 ERA in 30 starts for the NL Central champion Brewers.

Brewers get Brandon Woodruff back as the Cubs look for pitching help

Given the Cubs' desperate situation on the starting pitching front, it twists the knife a bit to see the team's top foe get an ace-caliber arm back for the second half. Chicago is without Justin Steele for the year and Jameson Taillon will miss at least a month with a calf strain. Shota Imanaga is back from the IL, but missed the better part of two months with a hamstring strain.

The Cubs managed to keep their head above water, thanks to the early-season success of guys like Colin Rea, but the shine has worn off the veteran swing man and right-hander Ben Brown is back at Iowa after failing to establish himself as a reliable starter. Top pitching prospect Cade Horton has been solid, but given he's a rookie with limited pro experience, you can't lean too heavily on him.

Really, Chicago could use a pair of starting pitcher additions before the July 31 trade deadline. Sandy Alcantara, once viewed as the top deadline prize, continues to struggle - and Pirates' right-hander Mitch Keller's price tag is climbing higher. Jed Hoyer is going to have to showcase top-tier creativity and a willingness to get outside his historical comfort zone this month as the Cubs look to hold off Milwaukee and re-establish themselves as the toast of the division.