The Chicago Cubs' injury woes reached another troubling milestone Tuesday night when starting pitcher Edward Cabrera had to be carted off the field at Citi Field after suffering a left hamstring/adductor strain against the New York Mets.
The Injury Play
The injury occurred in the fifth inning with the Cubs leading 7-2, when Mets left fielder Jared Young hit a ground ball between first and second. Second baseman Nico Hoerner slid and grabbed the ball before throwing to Cabrera, who stretched at first base and caught it to get Young for the final out of the inning. Cabrera injured himself while extending to catch the throw and appeared to be grabbing at his left thigh.
Cabrera stayed on the ground for several minutes clutching at his left leg. Though he got back up and hobbled for a few seconds, he was unable to move much and eventually had to be carted off the field. He wasn't able to make it off the field by himself and had to leave the game in a cart.
Cabrera's Performance Before the Injury
Cabrera threw five innings, allowing two runs while striking out four. The right-hander was acquired by the Cubs in an offseason trade from the Miami Marlins and entered Tuesday's start with a 4-4 record and a 5.21 ERA through 67.1 innings pitched this season.
Cubs Rotation Plagued by Injuries
The Chicago Cubs' pitching rotation is already crushed by injuries. This latest setback to Edward Cabrera comes at a particularly difficult time for a Cubs team trying to stay competitive in the National League Central race.
Cabrera has already dealt with several ailments this season, having exited his June 16 start with a right hand cramp and hitting the injured list on May 21 with a right middle finger blister. The recurring health issues have prevented the right-hander from establishing consistent rhythm on the mound.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon landed on the IL after sustaining a left hamstring strain in the second inning of his outing against the Giants on June 7 at Wrigley Field. Other Cubs pitchers currently on the injured list include Justin Steele, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Palencia, and several others, leaving the rotation depth severely tested.
Next Steps for Cabrera
The Cubs will presumably send the right-hander in for imaging to determine the severity of his injury, and an update on his status could come after the game. Hamstring and adductor strains can vary significantly in severity, with recovery timelines ranging from a few weeks to potentially months depending on the grade of the injury.
Impact on Cubs' Season
The Cubs entered Tuesday's game with a 40-37 record, sitting third in the NL Central. Chicago has gone 13-25 since opening the season 27-12. The mounting injuries to the pitching staff have played a significant role in the team's struggles to maintain their early-season momentum.
With the trade deadline approaching in early August, the Cubs' front office will likely be evaluating external options to bolster a rotation that has been decimated by injuries. For now, the team must await further medical evaluation to determine how long they'll be without Edward Cabrera and whether this latest injury will require an extended absence.
Sources & Original Reporting
