Cubs Injury Update: Dansby Swanson MRI, Edward Cabrera's blister, Matt Shaw

After Dansby Swanson was removed from Sunday's loss to the St. Louis Cardinals with left side discomfort, Craig Counsell confirmed that the Chicago Cubs starting shortstop will be placed on the IL before Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox.

Counsell confirmed that Swanson is dealing with an oblique injury, and the timeline of his potential return will likely be revealed after an MRI on Monday. For Swanson, this is the first time in his career that he is dealing with a soft tissue injury.

Cubs, Dansby Swanson await MRI to determine severity of oblique injury

“Everything’s kind of TBD,” Swanson told reporters after the game. “I’ve never really been in a position like this before, so it’s unfortunate, but hopefully we’ll get some good news and move forward.”

The timing certainly isn't ideal. A best-case scenario would place Swanson's return around the end of the regular season, just in time for the postseason. That's assuming the strain is nothing more than mild. Anything beyond that would likely limit Swanson's availability for the postseason.

Edward Cabrera's return to Cubs' rotation marred by another blister

Edward Cabrera may have already lost his spot in the Cubs' rotation, but the larger problem is a lack of communication. Cabrera made his return start on Sunday and things quickly went off the rails. He didn't make it out of the fourth innings, giving up seven runs on six hits and three walks. After the game, the Cubs revealed that Cabrera had a blister develop on his pitching hand but didn't tell the coaching staff until after the fact.

The first year of the Cabrera experience with the Cubs has been a massive disappointment. Between the multiple blisters, regression in his mechanics, and lack of communication with the coaching staff, it seems as if the Cubs and Cabrera haven't been on the same page for most of the season.

That will need to be worked on during the offseason, but as for what it means this season, Cabrera almost certainly will be pitching out of the bullpen moving forward.

Matt Shaw's recovery suddenly had added important after Dansby Swanson injury

For all the concern about how Matt Shaw will fit into the plans moving forward this season once he returns, the Dansby Swanson injury will take care of that.

Once the Cubs have a clearer update on Swanson's timeline, there likely will be a concrete plan moving forward in terms of how to replace him on the roster. Nico Hoerner will slide over to shortstop, and Pedra Ramirez may get a run at second base.

Shaw is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment this week, and while the Cubs may have operated with caution previoulsy, Swanson's injury could accelerate the timeline of the 2023 first-round pick's return.

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