NEWSLETTER
Well, this is certainly surprising and disappointing news this evening before tonight’s game:
The #Cubs today placed RHP Yu Darvish on the 10-day DL (retroactive to May 23) with right triceps tendonitis and recalled LHP Randy Rosario from @IowaCubs.
Tyler Chatwood will make the start tomorrow. Monday’s starter in Pittsburgh is TBD. pic.twitter.com/2uAkf2a6TN
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 26, 2018
Just before the start of the Cubs second game against the Giants, the team announced that right-handed starter Yu Darvish would be heading back to the 10-day disabled list – this time, with right triceps tendonitis. We’ll see what the extent of the injury is, but arms always make you nervous, even if it’s merely dubbed tendonitis for now.
As I’m sure you remember, Darvish only recently came off the disabled list (illness), making an encouraging, albeit brief, start against the Braves and then a downright good one against the Reds. That this DL stint is coming after that performance is frustrating, to say the least.
Per the Cubs announcement, this move will be retroactive to May 23 – the maximum number of days you can retro-date a 10-day DL stint – which is more frustrating because his last start was actually back on May 20th. He was originally scheduled to start tomorrow, but, as the Cubs indicate, Tyler Chatwood will cover for him. That suggests this Darvish issue popped up in the last few days.
Now, the earliest Darvish can return is June 2, which means he’ll likely miss at least two starts (tomorrow and June 1st). The Cubs have no off-days between now and then, but do have one on the 4th. The extent of Darvish’s injury and whether he’s expected to return when he’s eligible is not yet known.
Randy Rosario is taking his place on the roster for now, but, of course, he’s a reliever, so I’m not entirely sure what the Cubs plan will be for covering those two missing starts (or, rather, the start Tyler Chatwood vacated on Monday to cover for Darvish tomorrow). In the meantime, however, they’ll get another look at a young lefty, Rosario, who impressed this Spring, is performing well in the Minors and already had a nice cup of coffee earlier this year.
In case you’re wondering: Adbert Alzolay last started at Iowa on May 24, so he would not be on regular rest for Monday’s game. Duane Underwood Jr., who recently came in for some praise, would be on five days rest come Monday, however.
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.
