Cubs avoid another injury nightmare with encouraging Kevin Gausman update

If there is a pitching injury to be had this season, the Chicago Cubs have found it. The latest with Kevin Gausman, making his first start with the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night. After dealing with a thumb cramp in the fourth inning against the White Sox, Gausman was removed from the game an inning later.

It was a bizarre scene, considering the cramp was on Gausman's non-pitching hand. Beyond that, it was as if Gausman's thumb locked up. The Cubs attempted to give Gausman electrolytes, and that did help him escape the fourth inning, but it eventually reached a point where the veteran starting pitcher was unable to keep going.

Cubs, Kevin Gausman dodge injury scare in victory over Chicago White Sox

Beyond the fact that Javier Assad saved the day for the Cubs, the impression after the game is that Gausman should be able to make his next start.

“He’s doing well,” Counsell told reporters. “The cramp was on his glove hand, so that’s why I think he was able to keep going. But it didn’t really let up from the time we went out there in the fourth. … He went out there in the fifth and it just didn’t let up. It’s not necessarily affecting your pitches, but it’s a massive cramp in your hand that he couldn’t do any more with.”

Tommy Hottovy confirmed that Gausman has dealt with this issue in the past, but the difference this time around is that it happened during the game. Gausman said it was the first time in his career that he had to leave game early due to an injury, but it does seem his status moving forward won't be impacted.

With Edward Cabrera recently landing back on the IL with a blister, the last thing the Cubs need is for another starting pitcher to be injured. Between Gausman and Clay Holmes, the efforts the Cubs made at the trade deadline were not meant to only stabilize the pitching staff for the rest of the regular season, but give Craig Counsell endless options in October.

Of course, that also means Gausman finding success when healthy. Through his first three starts with the Cubs, he has an ERA of 6.19. The struggles have been with his fastball, boasting a negative run value since the trade. It's early, though, so there's no need to be too concerned at the moment.

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