Headlines

  • Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024
  • Tim Wakefield Passes Away
  • Felix Bautista To Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Signs Through 2025 Season
  • Rockies Sign Charlie Blackmon To One-Year Extension
  • Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations
  • Giants Fire Gabe Kapler
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Marcus Stroman To Be Shut Down For Several Weeks

By Darragh McDonald | August 18, 2023 at 8:30pm CDT

Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman will be totally inactive for at least a few weeks, as the pitcher himself told reporters including Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Further details are provided by Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.

Stroman landed on the injured list in early August due to right hip inflammation and he was expected to return earlier this week. He experienced some soreness in his rib cage that was eventually diagnosed as a rib cartilage fracture, preventing him from returning as hoped. No details on his timeline were initially provided and the path forward still seems uncertain, but it appears he will have to be focused on healing for at least a few weeks.

The whole ordeal is obviously quite frustrating for Stroman, who says he still doesn’t know how or when the injury occured. He relays that he threw a bullpen when the club was in Toronto on the weekend and felt a bit “crampy” but nothing terribly unusual. He then took part in some infield practice, a normal thing for him, but then had difficulty breathing after a cool-down period. He flew back to Chicago and went straight to an emergency room, where he eventually underwent an MRI that found the fracture.

Honing in on the diagnosis hasn’t helped much yet. “I can’t be too active,” Stroman said. “It’s not like I can do too much right now. I’ve talked to several doctors and I guess the best thing is it has to kind of heal itself. Hopefully a few weeks. I can’t go anywhere. I can barely turn right now. Breathing is tough at some points, to sit for long periods of time is pretty difficult.”

There’s still plenty of unknowns about how things will progress from here, with Stroman saying he’s taking things one day at a time to see how his body reacts, but it’s fair to wonder if his season is now in jeopardy. Even a limited shutdown period of a couple of weeks would take him into September and would likely require a rehab assignment of some kind at that point, when there will only be about a month left on the schedule. Anything that pushes beyond that would tighten his window even further and perhaps increase the amount of rehabbing necessary.

The Cubs are firmly in the mix of the playoff race in the National League, currently just half a game out of a Wild Card spot. Given how cloudy Stroman’s outlook is, they will likely have to operate under the assumption he may not be back this year. They currently have a rotation of Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad in four spots. Manager David Ross indicated that Drew Smyly, recently moved to the bullpen, would likely return to the rotation to replace Stroman. Should another injury arise, the club has Hayden Wesneski, Ben Brown and Caleb Kilian as depth options.

For Stroman, this continues to dampen a season that was previously on track to be one of the best of his career. Through June 20, his earned run average was a tiny 2.28. He then hit a rough patch, allowing 30 earned runs in his next 30 innings, causing his ERA to jump to 3.85 before he landed on the injured list.

When he was at that high point a couple of months ago, he seemed like a lock to trigger his opt-out this winter, leaving behind the one year and $21MM left on his contract. Even with this injury, he would likely still be able to top that guarantee with another multi-year deal, though his earning power will undoubtedly be diminished relative to where it was in June. If the club is able to make a deep postseason push, that would obviously increase his chances of getting back on the mound, but the likelihood of that won’t be known for a while.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Chicago Cubs Marcus Stroman

Reds Targeted Brady Singer at Trade Deadline
Main
Guardians Release Phillip Diehl
View Comments (41)

Comments

  1. Yanks2

    1 month ago

    Phantom injury to give him rest

    5
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 month ago

      I hope you’re joking. If they were in 1st place with a big lead, sure, I could see that. But not when the Cubs need every win. That said, he has been terrible for quite some time anyway, so it won’t really matter much.

      Reply
  2. stevewpants

    1 month ago

    Commenter poll: which do you dislike more, when the first commenter writes “First” or when it’s an obviously bad take/weak troll attempt?

    8
    Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      1 month ago

      The trolls. That is where I wish they had the thumbs down back

      11
      Reply
    • Lloyd Emerson

      1 month ago

      I dislike polls that don’t let you click on thingies.

      3
      Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      To be fair, “first” is pretty much trolling at this point.

      2
      Reply
    • Blue Baron

      1 month ago

      When the first commenter writes “Wow.” Nothing dumber than that.

      3
      Reply
      • paleobros

        1 month ago

        Wow.

        3
        Reply
    • Old York

      1 month ago

      @stevewpants

      It seems there are some very sensitive individuals on here who are easily triggered.

      1
      Reply
  3. Ray Epps

    1 month ago

    Bring up Ben Brown or Luke Little. I think Little has a chance to be lethal out of the pen.

    1
    Reply
    • Ejemp2006

      1 month ago

      The Cubs look great. Id love to see them get super hot and the Giants go ice cold. No one wants SF in the playoffs.
      Stroman’s injury really sucks but Ross seems to have the magical power of belief that gets the most out of the staff. I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of their prospects get some big outs and help get this team into October.

      2
      Reply
      • Blue Baron

        1 month ago

        “No one wants SF in the playoffs.”

        Really? I bet a lot of Giants fans disagree with you. Personally, I would just as soon see the Giants make it, at least to make Cubs fans like you and another guy I know put a sock in it.

        3
        Reply
      • rememberthecoop

        1 month ago

        Cubs look great? They lost the series vs. a bad Mets team. Split at home with a bad Sox team, and they only won the one game due to a walkoff homer. And now they lose to the Royals. This team is not playing well.

        5
        Reply
        • rondon

          1 month ago

          Hmm. You’re being a little selective there. It’s true they’re not playing well against the teams they should beat. But they took 3 out of 4 from the Reds, 2 out of 3 from the Braves and in between the Mets and White Sox they took 2 out of 3 from the Blue Jays.

          2
          Reply
  4. This one belongs to the Reds

    1 month ago

    If anyone gives a pitcher who missed most of the end of the sesson more than $21 million for a number of years, they need their head examined and then fired.

    7
    Reply
    • rememberthecoop

      1 month ago

      Yeah, I think it’s possible that he does not opt out, although he could get extra years if he did. Not sure he’d average the same money per year.

      2
      Reply
    • PiratesFan1981

      1 month ago

      Vince Velasquez got 4 mil/1 year with the Pirates and similar to Stroman when healthy. I think Stroman could get 12-15 million/1 year deal if he opts out. Vince has had several years of health concerns. Stroman has had like 2 or 3 seasons when health concerns. That is why I think he could get 12-15 million. Stroman isn’t getting any younger and he may want that ring. Pending what Cubs do this offseason, Stroman could opt out to play on a contender like Astros, Dodgers, or even Brewers.

      Reply
  5. 30 Parks

    1 month ago

    Height doesn’t measure durability, either.

    1
    Reply
  6. retired/advisory role

    1 month ago

    He done for ’23 but fret not he will be back racking up the W’s for the Chicago Cubs in 2024.

    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      1 month ago

      “he will be back racking up the W’s for the Chicago Cubs in 2024.”

      Unless, of course, he’s not.

      Maybe he opts out and signs with St. Louis, which is looking to sign three new starters, and racks up the W’s AGAINST the Chicago Cubs in 2024.

      Reply
      • retired/advisory role

        1 month ago

        He won’t opt out.

        Reply
        • Blue Baron

          1 month ago

          Unless, of course, he does.

          1
          Reply
        • mlb1225

          1 month ago

          I could see him opting out so he could get more guarenteed years. He’s 32 and has had an okay season, even if he’s had some injuries. Might want to get something locked down for more than just one season after this year, even if he’s making less AAV.

          Reply
        • retired/advisory role

          1 month ago

          Everyone on here always knows better. Amazing.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          1 month ago

          You don’t know any more than the rest of us. Get over yourself.

          Reply
        • retired/advisory role

          1 month ago

          Words from the expert.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          1 month ago

          Look in the mirror, expert BS artist.

          Reply
        • retired/advisory role

          1 month ago

          You are one of those people nobody likes aren’t you? It shows. For your info mr.mean I’m right about what I predict way way more than not so sit back and wait until the season is over. Thanks.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          1 month ago

          There’s no telling what people on the internet think based on little information and a few words.

          However, my family likes me, my friends like me, and several hundred clients of my firm like me, all in real life, which is what matters.

          Everyone can make predictions, some of which will be correct because even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while.

          Reply
        • retired/advisory role

          1 month ago

          You might think they like you or they just act like it. You always seem like a miserable person to me just from reading your comments in the past. You suck but ok have it your way. By the way the mute button is for pssyz.

          Reply
  7. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    1 month ago

    Player option triggered 2024 for Stro now for sure.

    1
    Reply
  8. Wheeler Dealer

    1 month ago

    I pray he opts out always something with this guy, A .500 career pitcher before this year why does he get so much attention?? He is a not worth resigning please leave

    6
    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      1 month ago

      He’s not worth RE-SIGNING, either.

      1
      Reply
  9. mookiesboy

    1 month ago

    Karma!

    3
    Reply
  10. krumbledkookie

    1 month ago

    Couldn’t happen to a better guy. Karma sucks, doesn’t it, Marcus?

    5
    Reply
  11. Dumpster Divin Theo

    1 month ago

    No worries. They still have an opportunity to trade him at the deadline to a contender. Wonder what Milwaukee, the Dodgers or Braves would offer

    Reply
  12. Wilmer the Thrillmer

    1 month ago

    The player option increases to 25mil depending on innings pitched the last 2 years. He’s probably right about there. One year, 25mil would be hard to turn down coming off an injury.

    Reply
  13. Jeremy320

    1 month ago

    Stroman is easily opting out. The ribs will be long healed by the offseason. Bad beat for cubs fans.

    Reply
    • drasco036

      1 month ago

      That is what I was thinking, he was great at the start of the year, then was awful but his agent can easily argue he was injured. Worst case I imagine 4/50 and that’s an easy decision to make. Sure he could gamble again on 21 million but given his age I don’t think he would risk it again

      1
      Reply
  14. Old York

    1 month ago

    Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy…

    1
    Reply
  15. holycow16

    1 month ago

    Go Cubs Go!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024

    Tim Wakefield Passes Away

    Felix Bautista To Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Signs Through 2025 Season

    Rockies Sign Charlie Blackmon To One-Year Extension

    Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations

    Giants Fire Gabe Kapler

    Orioles Agree To 30-Year Lease At Camden Yards

    Padres Prefer To Retain A.J. Preller, Bob Melvin In 2024

    Brooks Robinson Passes Away

    Reds’ Matt McLain Shut Down For Remainder Of 2023 Season

    Padres Plan To Reduce Payroll To Around $200MM; Front Office Changes Possible

    Marlins Place Eury Perez On 15-Day Injured List, Select Jeff Lindgren

    Sandy Alcantara Shut Down For Rest Of 2023 Season

    Brandon Lowe To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Kneecap Fracture

    Rays Promote Junior Caminero

    Sean Doolittle Announces Retirement

    Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager

    Qualifying Offer Value To Land Around $20.5MM

    Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Elbow Surgery

    Marlins Claim Matt Moore From Guardians

    Recent

    Buck Showalter Will Not Return As Mets Manager In 2024

    Tim Anderson Willing To Move To Second Base

    Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts On Ross, Hendricks, Payroll

    AL East Notes: Judge, Yankees, Rays, Siri, Raley, Cora

    Poll: Who’s Going To Win The World Series?

    Braves Outright Ehire Adrianza To Triple-A

    Coaching Notes: Guardians, Albernaz, Giants, Yankees, Casey, White Sox

    Tim Wakefield Passes Away

    Cubs Announce Several Roster Moves

    Twins Designate Gilberto Celestino For Assignment

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version