Craig Counsell confirms deflating reality facing Cubs after Edward Cabrera injury

To the surprise of no one who watched the Chicago Cubs' victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night, Edward Cabrera's injury sounds bad. Cabrera was carted off with the initial diagnosis of a left hamstring/adductor strain. Cabrera is set to undergo imaging on Wednesday, but chances are he will be sidelined for quite some time.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Craig Counsell all but confirmed the sobering reality that is the Cubs' pitching staff right now.

“Concerned,” Counsell said told reporters. “We’re in a rough spot. I think we can get through it. It’s to the All-Star break, but it’s gonna be a little bit of a puzzle until then.”

Cabrera's injury came on the same day that Jed Hoyer all but confirmed that Justin Steele, if he does return this season, won't do so as a starting pitcher. The Cubs are hopeful to get "short bursts" from Steele before the en of the season, but considering how his recovery has gone, it's far from a certainty that he pitches for the team before October.

Counsell alluded to the Cubs needing to reach the All-Star break, and that's another important moment for the team. That's around the time that Jameson Taillon is expected back from the hamstring strain that has him currently on the IL.

If there's one silver lining for the Cubs, it's that Matthew Boyd is expected to be back in the rotation on Thursday. Minimally, the Cubs need Boyd to be healthy. Optimistically, the Cubs need Boyd to be the version of himself that was an All-Star last year. He's carrying an ERA of 6.00 through five starts this season, but his FIP of 2.35 and strikeout rate of 31% is reason to be hopeful.

Edward Cabrera injury forces Cubs back to the drawing board for ailing pitching staff

Had Cabrera not been injured on Tuesday night, with Boyd making his return on Thursday, that would have allowed the Cubs to push Colin Rea back to the bullpen. Rea has done an admirable job filling in for the rotation, but he's best suited as a bulk option out of the bullpen.

A bullpen that continues to search for answers. Phil Maton had another dirty inning on Monday, pushing his ERA back to 6.04, and recently acquired Jayden Murray gave up three runs in his debut with the team.

The Cubs' pitching staff is in a dire spot right now, and it remains to be seen if there is a path out of it. So far this season, there hasn't been.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow