Cubs seem to have learned their lesson when it comes to Edward Cabrera

Edward Cabera's return to the Chicago Cubs was both short-lived and disappointing. After missing weeks with a hamstring injury, he rejoined the starting rotation over the weekend, only to be shelled by the rival St. Louis Cardinals in the rubber match at Wrigley Field.

After the game, Cabrera announced he was working through a blister issue (that he was reportedly dealing with almost immediately in his start), and that blister is sending him back to the injured list. His spot on the roster was filled by Javier Assad, who has, once again, been a savior for the Cubs' pitching staff this season.

Whenever Cabrera does return (and there's no word on just when that may be), it won't be as a starter. The tentative plan, as of now, is that he'll return as a short-burst reliever, in hopes of avoiding the blister issue popping up yet again.

We talked about this in the latest episode of the Cubbies Crib podcast. Given David Peterson's success in the rotation (as well as Assad's), Cabrera seemed best suited for a relief role. He's struggled immensely in his first year in Chicago and it seemed like the Cubs had a good thing going with Peterson.

Now, it seems likely that will be the plan going forward. And it makes sense. Peterson's profile fits well as a starter, especially with this defense behind him (even with the loss of Dansby Swanson for the next 4-6 weeks). Assad can spot start or fill a swing man role, allowing Cabrera, when he returns, to let it rip for an inning or two.

Cubs' big offseason trade has been a complete bust to this point

Let's not forget. The hope was that bigger and brighter things lied ahead for Cabrera when the Cubs sent Owen Caissie to Miami for him in January. Needless to say, that's not how things have played out. The right-hander is in the midst of the worst season of his big-league career, carrying a -1.2 bWAR and 5.68 ERA through 15 starts.

His strikeout numbers are way down and he hasn't thrown six innings in a start since May 4. The long-term plan hasn't changed. Chicago needs him to be a productive member of this starting rotation in the years to come. But in the short-term, the Cubs have better options. Cabrera's unpredictability has been a liability for much of the year and Craig Counsell can't afford to pencil him in every five days once he returns from the injured list.

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