Not to tempt fate, but it’s worth pointing out that the Chicago Cubs have been incredibly healthy thus far this year. God, as we say, has been benevolent.
So, now that a Cubs starter has suffered an injury, it’s hard to feel like ants under the magnifying glass. And the injury may not be that serious.
Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena came out of Monday’s game because of a mild sprain of his right thumb, injured trying to catch a ball in the eighth inning. His status was day to day.
Pena was pulled off the bag trying to catch shortstop Starlin Castro’s throw on Justin Upton’s grounder. The throw was wild and Castro was charged with an error.
Cubs manager Mike Quade said Pena wanted to stay in the game and hit in the eighth, but they opted to use pinch-hitter Reed Johnson. cubs.com.
The only thing that gives me pause is the recent memory that it took Aramis Ramirez half a season to get over a thumb problem. Of course, his problem was a “bruise,” but it started equally innocuously. Indeed, Ramirez didn’t even go on the disabled list at first.
Hopefully Pena’s sprain is as unserious as indicated, because an injured thumb can be a real problem for a player’s swing. Assuming Pena gets at least today off, either Jeff Baker or Tyler Colvin will start in his place.