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The Chicago Cubs jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday as the team looks for a sweep of the Cardinals in this season's iteration of MLB's London Series but the lead was shortlived as an error by first baseman Trey Mancini allowed St. Louis back in the game and starting pitcher Marcus Stroman was removed from the game due to an injury.
During the bottom of the fourth inning, Stroman had been favoring his pitching hand as he was seen shaking his hand after each pitch before he was ultimately visited by the Cubs' trainer and removed from the game.
Marcus Stroman could be seen giving his pitching hand a shake multiple times throughout the 4th. That included after each of his final four pitches before departing. Here's one in the last at-bat vs. Paul Goldschmidt. pic.twitter.com/M0TPmVBSzm
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 25, 2023
The good news for the Cubs is that the injury does not appear to be serious. Early speculation is that Stroman may have suffered a cut on one of his fingers or a blister that may have been causing some discomfort.
The Cubs' pitching staff took a blow on Saturday when it was revealed that both Codi Heuer and Brandon Hughes would not be returning this season as each underwent season-ending surgery.
A major injury to Stroman would have been devastating as with the return of Justin Steele from the injured list two weeks ago, the Cubs had finally been operating with their projected starting rotation fully healthy.
Entering his start on Sunday, Stroman had not only been making a case to be the starting pitcher for the National League in this season's MLB All-Star game but was emerging as a legitimate candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. Stroman has posted an ERA of 2.28 this season and is on pace to be a potential 5-fWAR player.
Assuming it was just a blister or cut for Stroman, then there shouldn't be a need to place the veteran starting pitcher on the injured list.