The Cubs announced they’ve placed left hander Brandon Hughes on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 27) with left knee inflammation and recalled right hander Caleb Kilian from Triple-A.
It’s a bit of a blow to the Cubs’ bullpen, as Hughes was off to a solid start working to a 3.18 ERA with nine strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings. That backed up his rookie year in which the 27-year-old pitched to a 3.12 ERA over 57 2/3 innings. The southpaw posts quality strikeout rates, and limits left handed hitters to a .208/.283/.281 batting line, giving up just one home runs in 108 plate appearances over his short career.
The left knee appears to be a bit of a problem for Hughes, who was bothered by it during Spring Training and wound up on the IL on Opening Day as a result. The Cubs will certainly be hoping a second trip to the IL is enough to eliminate the problem.
With Hughes out, the Cubs will turn to Kilian, a right hander who’s only major league experience consists of three starts for the Cubs last season. Those starts didn’t go too well, as Kilian was rocked for 13 earned runs and gave up 12 walks in 11 1/3 innings of work. He’s struggled to a 7.15 ERA in his first three starts at Triple-A this season.
At this point I’m convinced David Ross doesn’t even know the names of half the people he has in his bullpen. Why did they even call up Jeremiah Estrada if he’s just going to languish on the bench for a week?
They had to bring someone up when they sent Assad down. Best Iowa bullpen arm available on the 40-man roster. His lone appearance when he used was kinda shaky – 31 pitches, only 16 strikes. It could be as simple as the team working to correct something during bullpen sessions.
Because Jeremiah was a bullfrog and was better situated to languish on a bench.
Estrada is a future bullpen star.
Hughes was probably the most surprised guy when they told him this morning that he was injured.
Thomas Ricketts has around 4 billion reasons to relocate the team if the ungrateful city/state of Chicago doesn’t pay for and build a new stadium for him by 2031.
Right…I’m sure that’s his ask after he just spent around a billion $$$ out of his own pocket totally refurbishing and modernizing Wrigley Field.
The Cubs would’ve been better off having Hughes pitch with his off hand than Killian starting in today’s game.