When the Chicago Cubs re-signed reliever John Grabow to a two-year deal last winter, some (me) feared that his low ERA had been a bit of a mirage given his extremely high WHIP for a reliever. He had been keeping his ERA in the mid-3s, but his WHIP in the mid-1.4s – something didn’t add up, and regression looked to be on the way.
But no one expected it to be quite this bad. And now, Grabow’s season is over.
Grabow felt something pop in his left knee during a rehab outing Monday in Mesa, Ariz., and an MRI on Tuesday revealed a Grade 3 sprain. He will have his knee immobilized for four to six weeks and be examined by the Cubs’ orthopedic specialist to determine the next step.
Grabow has been on the disabled list since June 29. He appeared in 28 games and had a 7.36 ERA. cubs.com.
Grabow will likely be recovered by next year, when he will return to the Cubs’ bullpen.
For $4.8 million. Smooch.