Cubs rookie Riley Martin hit the injured list with what was originally described as elbow inflammation this weekend, but the left-hander has now been diagnosed with a flexor strain, per Marquee’s Taylor McGregor. He’s expected to miss around eight weeks, which would sideline the 28-year-old southpaw into late June.
It’s a tough development for both Martin and the Cubs. The 2021 sixth-rounder was added to the 40-man roster back in November in order to shield him from the Rule 5 Draft after he’d posted a 2.69 ERA and 30.7% strikeout rate in 63 2/3 Triple-A frames last year. He was recalled to the majors for his big league debut early this month. Martin’s first few weeks in MLB couldn’t have gone much better. He appeared in eight games and totaled 8 1/3 innings, holding opponents to a pair of runs (2.16 ERA) on five hits and two walks with 10 punchouts.
Martin’s flexor strain is the latest in a mounting number of bullpen injuries for a Cubs team that has also lost Porter Hodge (UCL surgery), Daniel Palencia (lat strain), Hunter Harvey (triceps inflammation) and Caleb Thielbar (hamstring strain) in recent weeks. Hodge’s season is over. Palencia’s lat strain isn’t on his throwing side, so he should be able to return within the next couple weeks. There’s been no indication that Thielbar or Harvey will require lengthy absences.
Even if each of Palencia, Thielbar and Harvey is back at some point in mid-May, it’s a worrisome number of injuries. The Cubs also lost Phil Maton for a couple weeks due to tendinitis in his knee. He returned last night but was tagged for two runs in an inning of work — his fourth straight appearance in which he was charged with two earned runs. Maton’s ERA on the young season sits at a sky-high 14.40, so it seems clear he hasn’t been functioning at 100% to this point.
In addition to both Thielbar and Martin being sidelined, the Cubs are also without 26-year-old lefty Jordan Wicks, who’s on the IL due to elbow inflammation. Left-handed relief is an area of some depth for the Cubs, and veteran Hoby Milner (who signed a one-year deal in free agency this winter) is still healthy, giving skipper Craig Counsell at least one experienced option. Ryan Rolison is currently on the roster as a second lefty, but the former Rockies prospect was a January waiver claim who’s yet to solidify himself in the majors. He’s pitched four scoreless innings so far as a Cub but has fanned only one of the 13 batters he’s faced.
Martin’s timetable makes him a candidate to move to the 60-day injured list the next time the Cubs need a roster spot. It’s feasible he’ll be able to return just inside a 60-day window, but that likely won’t dissuade the Cubs from making the move, given a difference of just a few days between his best-case scenario and that 60-day term. In the meantime, he’ll accrue major league service time and major league salary.
The Biavians are obviously reptilian.
uhhhh…. huh?
…and so it begins
If you have to ask, you’ll never know!
The coming of Tan….. to the disabled list
Hugh …uhhhh Jassole
O-Qua Tangin Wann, my good man.
…. you understand
Off to a nice start in his career.. Hope he returns before too long.
This Cubs medical staff needs to be reevaluated
Yes, I’m sure this is the doctor’s fault. Better can every doctor, for every team while we’re at it. A bunch of guys throwing 100 mph, over and over again, should remain healthy 100 percent of the time.
It’s a combination of excessive velocity and superhuman spin rates. When we subject a pitcher’s arm to such horrific stress, it’s inevitable that the body will break down. I’m certain that the mental toll is just as great on these young men. Imagine being 24 years old, you’ve already undergone multiple major surgeries, and your prospect status has plummeted to the point where you’re nothing more than an afterthought on a scrap heap. We must prioritize the humanity over the almighty W!
RILEY… WHAT DIAGNOSIS WERE YOU GIVEN?
Hugh Jassole
Jordan Romano should probably start packing his bags for Chicago at this point. Even the bright spots who emerge to replace the bullpen regulars on this team are hitting the IL. Just brutal.
He’ll miss 8 weeks to be with the Biaviians?