Cubs Injury Update: Edward Cabrera looks ready, Daniel Palencia struggles, Matt Shaw

Edward Cabrera made his third minor-league rehab start on Tuesday night, and the impression is that he's ready to rejoin the Chicago Cubs' pitching Staff. Cabrera was masterful in his previous start, striking out eight across four innings of work for Triple-A Iowa, and he was just as electric for Double-A Knoxville last night.

Cabrera tossed five hitless innings for the Smokes while striking out seven and issuing one walk. Before the start, Craig Counsell confirmed that after Cabrera's outing, the Cubs would make a decision on if he's ready for his return.

Edward Cabrera look dominant during minor-league rehab, should be ready to rejoin the Cubs

The biggest question that faces Cabrera's return is what will his role be. Before the trade deadline, it was clear that Cabrera would be ticketed for the starting rotation. Now, the answer might be different. The Cubs have confirmed that both Kevin Gausman (duh) and Clay Holmes (less obvious) would be pitching out of the rotation.

Unless the Cubs wanted to move David Peterson to the bullpen, which shouldn't be an option, it would seem that Cabrera could pitch out of the bullpen moving forward. Of course, preserving the rotation, Counsell could choose to use a six-man rotation through the end of the regular season.

Daniel Palencia roughed up in latest rehab outing, opening the door to question about his role

In recent weeks, the Chicago Cubs have talked about Daniel Palencia as if there's an expectation that he will immediately be entrusted with high-leverage situations upon his return. The Cubs certainly need that, but Palencia's latest minor-league outing was a reminder that things can change at a moment's notice.

Working with Double-A Knoxville, Palencia was tagged for four runs in less than an inning of work while walking three and hitting a batter. As is the case with Cabrera's results, there's a need to take these numbers with a grain of salt. If a pitcher walks away from the outing healthy, that is the most important takeaway.

Palencia hasn't had a clean inning in any of his three rehab appearances, so chances there still may be another outing or two before he makes his return. When he does, it's possible he serves in the hybrid high-leverage role he was in near the end of last season, and not the established closer. Especially if Jacob Webb continues to be the anchor at the end of games.

Matt Shaw makes progress in recovery, still not exactly close to a return

Matt Shaw's wrist sprain hasn't recovered nearly as fast as the Cubs originally thought, but Craig Counsell did indicate that the utility man has taken a step forward in recent days. That said, at least based on what Shaw said, there's still some hurdles to clear before he approaches a rehab assignment.

“We’ve gotten to the point where I can swing almost full effort with no pain, or a little pain,” Shaw told the Chicago Sun-Times. “If I can get to the point where I can swing and miss or take a funky swing, things like that, with no pain, if I can do that — or at least like a 1 or 2, low-level pain — that’s definitely the marker to be like, ‘OK, ready to go.’

With Pedro Ramirez on the roster, and after the trade for Tyrone Taylor, the Cubs can be cautious with Shaw's return. Though, the roster is strongest with Shaw as a viable option on the bench. Hopefully, that's the case by the time October rolls around.

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