Oof. This is pretty bad timing.
After a series of roster moves yesterday – including a trip to the injured list for starter Tyler Chatwood – the Cubs rotation has been dealt a huge blow today:
The #Cubs today placed LHP José Quintana on the 10-day IL (retroactive to Aug. 31) with left lat inflammation and recalled RHP Jason Adam from the club’s South Bend Alternate site. pic.twitter.com/DlQNpsTVmS
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 2, 2020
Quintana, you’ll recall, missed most of the preseason and first-half after slicing his hand on a glass, which means his two piggyback starts so far were the first time he had pitched competitively since last September. The Cubs were hoping he could jump into the rotation after stretching out, especially now that Tyler Chatwood was back on shelf, but that will no longer be an option. At least not anytime soon.
Quintana will hit the IL – retroactive to August 31st – and frankly, given how little he was stretched out already, I’m not sure what to expect from him the rest of the way. The same goes for Chatwood. There just isn’t much time left.
In the interim, the Cubs have recalled Jason Adam from South Bend to join the bullpen, but obviously there is now a giant hole in the rotation. I’d imagine Adbert Alzolay will be on his way up soon. But here’s the thing: Although Alzolay may have a long term future in this rotation – and even looked pretty good in his spot start against the Cardinals – the Cubs have a five-game series against St. Louis this weekend, including a double-header on Saturday. With that in mind, this is truly awful timing for another injury to the staff (to say nothing of any chance Alzolay could have had to come in and stabilize the bullpen).
We’ll have more if there is more. For now, this really sucks.