The Cubs have placed right-handers John Lackey and Hector Rondon on the disabled list for precautionary measures due to arm injuries, as MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat reported. The Cubs have the luxury of placing both pitchers on the DL to avoid risk of worsening their minor injuries and will recall left-hander Rob Zastryzny and right-hander Felix Pena from Triple-A Iowa.
[Related: Updated Cubs Depth Chart]
Lackey, 37, is dealing with shoulder soreness, while the 28-year-old Rondon has a triceps issue. Neither is believed to be serious, with Chicago acting to add some fresh arms while taking a cautious approach with two of their better arms.
The veteran Lackey has been one of the offseason’s better free agent additions, as he has already run up 158 1/3 innings of 3.41 ERA pitching with 8.9 K/9 against 2.4 BB/9. That strikeout-per-nine rate represents a career-best mark for the 14-year big leaguer, which is no small feat given his age. His two-year, $32MM contract looked like a solid buy upon signing, and seems an even better bargain with nearly half of it already in the books.
As for Rondon, 2016 has been another stellar campaign. Though he was bumped from the closer’s role with the addition of Aroldis Chapman, that wasn’t due to any performance issues from the former Rule 5 pick. Far from it. Over his 43 2/3 frames this year, Rondon carries a 2.47 ERA. He has compiled that mark while racking up 10.5 K/9 versus just 1.2 BB/9 — improving upon his two excellent prior seasons in both regards.
If any team can weather the loss of two such significant hurlers, it is the Cubs. That’s not necessarily due to any kind of unique pitching depth as it is the team’s likely-insurmountable 13-game lead in the NL Central. Chicago is also in excellent shape in securing home field advantage, pacing the Nationals by six games for the National League’s top record.
Better to be safe than sorry. Maddonini (the Italian stallion) knows what he’s doing.
GIVE BAEZ AND JIMENEZ FOR QUINTANA
No.
Yeah, Quintana will totally get that far on waivers! Plus, No. Just no.
No
If I was the Cubs I would not do that deal
Excited to see Zas up.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but Zastryzny is the first pitcher DRAFTED under Thoyer to reach the majors.
You are correct
Zastryzny has not been good at any level
Only at major league level last night.
If he weren’t good at any level, he wouldn’t be up moron
Baez AND Jimenez for Quintana?? That’s a great trade….For the Pale hose!!! Baez is a star looking for a position. Jimenez potential has hardly been touched. The Cubs have Montgomery, and Cahill if really pushed. Hellickson can possibly be had for a couple AA ballplayers. The Cubs have an overstocked farm system, even after Getting Chapman, Smith, Montgomery. Actually I don’t see Lackey missing more than 2 starts.