Today, injured pitchers Randy wells (forearm strain) and Andrew Cashner (rotator cuff strain) will be re-evaluated by team orthopedic specialist Stephen Gryzlo. Each player is in the second week of his disabled list stint, and the plan was for each to wait until now to start throwing again. If today’s evaluations go well, that’s exactly what could happen.
Wells’ injury is considered less serious, and it’s possible that he could be back in the rotation sooner than Cashner – though neither is expected back for another couple weeks. Having at least one of the two back will be incredibly welcome, what with the current circus at the fifth starter spot (to say nothing of spots one through three). In fact, Wells has the team’s last quality start: his only start of the year, way back on April 4.
The Cubs are likely to be more cautious with Cashner, both because he is a young power arm, and because his injury has the potential to be more serious.
Both pitchers have been doing strength training and exercise routines over the past two weeks, and so far, have been feeling good. I am cautiously optimistic about today’s evaluation – though I was optimistic back when Andrew Cashner was going for an MRI. Not only did we learn that day that Cashner would be out for at least a month, we also learned for Wells’ injury for the first time.
Hopefully today’s optimism is a bit more well met.