The good news is that Dylan Cease was not injured while pitching. The bad news is that he was injured while covering third instead. That injury took place Thursday evening, and yesterday the Cubs placed their best pitching prospect on the disabled list with a leg injury.
It is hard to say how much of this move is simply precautionary and how much is necessity. Leg injuries, even minor ones, can impact throwing mechanics in ways that can lead to other injuries. The safest play, even if he could pitch, is to just let him rest it. If this is a ‘just rest’ sort of minor injury, he could be back next week. If it is more severe, it will take longer.
But, because injury info is often hard to get in the minors, we may not know much of anything until he is back. In fact, we might not even be able to gauge severity all that well, as it’s possible the Cubs will use this as an opportunity to rest Cease’s arm, even if the lower body injury is ship-shape quickly.
Triple A: Iowa Cubs
Iowa 2, Tacoma 1
Suddenly the I-Cubs have a four game winning streak.
Jake Buchanan: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Zac Rosscup: 2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Jeimer Candelario: 1 for 4, 2B
Double A: Tennessee Smokies
Birmingham 3, Tennessee 1
Despite the loss, this was another pretty good pitching performance.
Trevor Clifton: 6.2 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K
Craig Brooks: 1.1 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K
Jeffrey Baez: 0 for 3, BB, SB
Andrew Ely: 1 for 3, BB
High A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Salem 7, Myrtle Beach 6 in ten innings
The Pelicans gave up three in ninth to let this one get into extras.
Oscar De La Cruz: 5.1 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K
Michael Rucker: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Trent Giambrone: 1 for 5, 2B
Daniel Spingola: 2 for 5, 2B
Tyler Alamo: 1 for 5, 2B
Matt Rose: 2 for 5
Eddy Martinez: 1 for 5, SB
Low A: South Bend Cubs
Lansing 5, South Bend 4
There were eight errors in this game, and five of them were committed by Cubs.
Jose Paulino: 4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K
Tyler Peyton: 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K
Michael Knighton: 2 IP, 3 R (0 ER), 3 H, 2 K
Yeiler Peguero: 2 for 5
Zack Short: 0 for 3, BB, SB
Other Notes
The Pelicans’ blog has a pretty good article on Dillon Maples, why he has struggled, and a bit on why it looks like he may have turned the corner this season. He is still a long way from Chicago, but with a K/9 of 11.74 so far this season, I like his chances to at least take the step to Tennessee just as soon as the Cubs feel he’s ready.
The other thing to take away from that Maples article, I think, is the hidden danger in rushing a prospect. Just because a guy is having success on the diamond doesn’t mean he’s ready to move up. Baseball is more than just what happens between the lines, and all of it is part of the development process.
Ready for more draft prognostications? Brett summarized a trio of them yesterday. The trend from the experts is still pointed at the Cubs taking a pair of pitchers in the first round, but I still find that unlikely given the Cubs’ patterns in recent drafts.
NEWSLETTER
