Chicago Cubs News: Third baseman Nick Madrigal lands on the IL

Nick Madrigal's 2023 season may be over for the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs placed Madrigal on the IL prior to the start of their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night with a hamstring injury. Madrigal was placed on the 10-day IL retroactively to Sunday so he would be eligible to return during the Cubs' final series of the regular season against the Milwaukee Brewers.

For all the jokes that were made at Madrigal's expense at the beginning of the season in regard to the Cubs' decision to make him a third baseman, it is a decision that has worked. Madrigal has been excellent defensively at third base this season as he has recorded eight outs above average.

Offensively, 2023 was Madrigal's best season with the Cubs. Madrigal is slashing .263/.311/.352 on the season but his lack of power has resulted in a wRC+ of 83.

For as much work that Madrigal has put in at third base, this season has confirmed the limitations he has as an everyday player. The lack of power from Madrigal means that he would need to have a consistent approach that leads to getting on base and that has not been the case.

Since August 1, Madrigal has been slashing .245/.272/.336 with a wRC+ of 65. That is not a slash line that a Major League team can receive from their starting third baseman when they feature a lineup that struggles to hit home runs.

Speaking of struggling to hit home runs, Alexander Canario is getting his first Major League start on Tuesday night as he will be rounding out the Cubs' lineup as the designated hitter.

Canario's inclusion in the lineup could be a sign of Ross' willingness to admit that his previous strategy of "trusting the guys that the Cubs to this place" is not working.

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