It only took one Edward Cabrera start for the Cubs to change their starting rotation plans

Despite speculation that the Chicago Cubs would pitch Edward Cabrera out of the bullpen upon his return from injury, Cabrera got the start on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Cabrera on the roster, and David Peterson was moved to the bullpen to make room in the starting rotation.

As it turns out, Peterson may already be on his way back to the rotation. Cabrera's start against the Cardinals was a disaster, giving up six runs in less than four innings of work. Cabrera walked three and gave up two home runs, and after the game, he pointed the finger at a blister issue that he refused to tell the coaching staff about until after his start was over.

Regardless, it doesn't sound like Cabrera will be making his next start for the Cubs. Speaking to reporters after the game, Craig Counsell wouldn't commit to Cabrera remaining in the rotation. The impression is that Cabrera likely will be moved to the bullpen, and Peterson will return to the rotation.

Cubs postseason push has no room for Edward Cabrera to be considered a project

In any event, Cabrera's first year with the Cubs has been a massive disappointment. Given how he looked over his recent minor-league rehab starts, there was hope that Cabrera was once again looking like the pitcher he was with the Miami Marlins. Instead, it's back to the drawing board.

“It didn’t go well,” Counsell told reporters when asked about Cabrera's start. “The lack of swing-and-miss, again, is concerning. He got some big swing-and-miss in some of his rehab starts. To me, it looks like it’s the separation between the changeup and the fastball right now. The hitter is not showing you that it’s a lot.”

As crazy as it would have sounded at the start of the season, Cabrera has become the unknown of the Cubs' pitching staff. When the Cubs made the trade with the Marlins, there was hope that Cabrera would turn into the top-of-rotation pitcher the team has lacked in recent years. Instead, it's become clear that Cabrera can't be the starter in a game of consequence for the Cubs.

It shouldn't even be a debate for the Cubs. Peterson deserves to stay in the rotation, and it's hard to argue with the results he's had since being acquired from the New York Mets. It's become easier for the Cubs to depend on Peterson's ability to induce groundballs, something that can't be said for Cabrera's ability to miss bats at the moment.

The Cubs will need to fix the Cabrera moving forward after this season, but for right now, he can't be viewed as a reliable component to their pitching staff.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow