The Cubs have been without right-hander Marcus Stroman for just over a month now thanks to inflammation in the 32-year-old hurler’s right hip and a subsequently-diagnosed rib cartilage fracture. Upon the reveal of Stroman’s rib injury two weeks ago, whether or not he would be able to return this season came into question as he was set to be shut down for several weeks without a clear timeline for recovery. Fortunately for fans on the north side, Stroman’s timetable seems to be coming into focus with a return this season clearly still on the table.
Manager David Ross told reporters (including Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun Times) ahead of today’s game against the Reds that Stroman will throw a bullpen session in Arizona. That still leaves a long way for Stroman to go before he can return to a major league mound; assuming tomorrow’s bullpen goes well, he’ll need to progress to facing live hitters and then likely require at least a rehab start or two in the minor leagues before he can return to the starting rotation for the Cubs. Still, even a brief cameo from Stroman before the regular season comes to a close could be a huge boon to Chicago.
Stroman sports a 3.85 ERA and 3.58 FIP across 23 starts this year, but it’s really been a tale of two seasons for the veteran hurler: while he posted a sterling 2.28 ERA and 3.33 FIP in his first sixteen starts, his final seven starts before hitting the injured list saw him post an ugly 9.00 ERA, albeit with a less outlandish 4.39 FIP. It’s hard to say how much of that downturn in performance was related to Stroman’s current injuries, but a healthy and effective return for the right-hander would not only help the Cubs as they look to make the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2018, but also give them another quality option to start in the playoffs alongside lefty ace Justin Steele and veteran hurler Kyle Hendricks, should they succeed in reaching the postseason.
More from around the NL Central:
- Sticking with the Cubs, Lee also relayed updates from Ross regarding a trio of potential bullpen options for Chicago down the stretch. Left-hander Brandon Hughes and righties Nick Burdi and Ben Brown are expected to pitch today with Triple-A Iowa. Hughes was a breakout reliever for the Cubs last year with a 3.12 ERA in 57 2/3 innings of work with the club last year, but struggled through 13 2/3 injury-plagued innings earlier this season before undergoing knee surgery back in June. Hughes’s return to the bullpen would surely provide a boost for Chicago as swing option Drew Smyly is the only southpaw in the club’s bullpen at the moment. Brown has not yet pitched in the majors but is one of the club’s top prospects who had long been rumored as a potential late-season bullpen option prior to an injury that kept him out of action for the entire month of August. Burdi managed just three innings with the Cubs earlier this season in his first major league work since 2020 before going on the injured list with appendicitis and ulnar nerve irritation.
- It seems the Reds will be without rookie infielder Matt McLain for a while yet, as the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith relayed an update from manager David Bell indicating that McLain would be out with an oblique injury for two to three more weeks. Such a timeline would likely leave him out of action for most of the remaining regular season. That’s a major blow to the Reds, who have relied on McLain’s strong bat (129 wRC+) and quality glovework around the infield and sit alongside the Marlins, Diamondbacks, and Giants in the thick of the race for the final NL Wild Card spot. Fortunately, the Reds could still receive some reinforcements for their infield in the near future as second baseman Jonathan India is on track to begin a rehab assignment this week after missing the past month with plantar fasciitis.
- Cardinals manager Oli Marmol indicated to reporters (including Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat) that left-hander Steven Matz’s season could be in jeopardy as the veteran is still “week-to-week” in his rehab from a lat strain sustained last month. Marmol noted that there is “probably not” enough time for him to return in 2023. Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds that a return from Matz would likely be limited in terms of length, as Matz won’t have time to get stretched out as a starter before the season comes to a close. Matz has had an up-and-down season with the Cardinals this year but will end the season with solid overall numbers if he’s ultimately unable to return. In 25 appearances (17 starts), Matz posted a 3.86 ERA, 11% better than league average by measure of ERA+, with a 3.76 FIP in 105 innings of work.
Reds need India desperately.
As long as he doesn’t take Spencer Steer’s AB’s
Agreed, Steer is proving himself to be very valuable and will only get better. Could be a 30 homer 100 Ribbie guy
Steer will go back to LF or 3B when India comes back. He’ll get plenty of AB’s
Marmol acknowledges Cardinals as door-Matz
That one is pretty good! Atrocious season for a non rebuild team
Marmot is a great candidate to coach 3rd base for another team, or manage the Royals (sorry Royals fans – just job-hunting for a fr, er, baseball person)
Honestly, with a good manager hopefully coming, pitching on the way, and a lottery pick next year, I wouldn’t get too cocky
But none of that is happening in real life lol
Much as it would be funny for Houston to sign Marcus so he could be aStroman, it sure seems likely he stay opted into his last year with Cubs at 21 million. If he can pitch 6 innings a game with a sub-4 era, Cubs will be happy to retain him
that would be Astrotious!
Here’s to hoping Matz shuts it down, gets healthy all offseason, and gives the Cardinals a solid 100 innings-plus of work in front of a transitional defense/lineup/team/organization. #sarcasmfontescapesme
Matz knew he had better quit pitching while he was actually in line for a rotation spot next year. If he had reverted to his earlier form with Cardinals he may have been ticketed back to low leverage bullpen work.
I’d put the odds that Stroman walks at 50/50 right now. If he comes back strong say 75/25. Personally I hope he walks. But if he comes back damaged goods he probably stays. Sigh
Well he could take the 21 million from the Cubs, Or go on the open market and get 3 or 4 years for 60 -80 million he’d probably get from somebody who thinks he can be like the guy who has been pitching well for the Cubs for the last 2 years. He has a decision to make and when you see that Tajuan Walker and Tallion got 64 million just last year and Stroman is arguably better than both of them it’s not far fetched.
If he doesn’t come back this year or he struggles in his last few starts, then he stays. if he pitches well a few times this season then we walks.
so true retired—BUT if he’s healthy in two – four weeks as all signs indicate Uncle is 100% correct. As “unhealthy” as you say he is—-it has nothing to do with his arm, shoulder, elbow.
He and his agent have to make a decision—one guaranteed year at $21M (the remaining reason on his current contract) or a much higher guarantee at multiple years.
Even in the AAV is less than $21M—an let’s use Taillon’s $16M per year—which is a ludicrous comparsion—4 years for $64M is still $43M more—and maybe not to you—to me, that is a LOT of money..
Marcus Stroman and his BS aren’t missed
But his pitching is. He needs to be 100% healthy and back on the mound as quick as possible. Right now the Cubs have painted themselves into an almost must win every time Steele, Hendricks, and Assad start.
With 25 games left, I’m pretty comfortable that 14-11 (end with 87 wins) will get them in the playoff.
Problem with that math is that Steele, Hendricks and Assad have 15 of those starts. Almost zero room for error.
Wicks has been solid, count on him for 2 more wins.
Yes mike127, Stromans pitching definitely missed. I believe he is needed for at least the first half of next season. Steele, Assad and Wicks look to come into next year as part of the rotation. What happens with Hendricks is up in the air at this time. I’d like to see Ben Brown brought along, in the same manner as Assad, was. Smyly should be traded to a team that is looking for pitching depth.
I never want to see Taillon pitch another inning in a Cub uniform. Taillon shows no fire or urgency when he takes the mound. I’d try to trade him, even if it means eating half his salary. The Cubs could use Stroman for one more year.
And before uncle responds I’m forgetting about Horton – I’m not. He could be in Chicago next August, but his inning’s will be monitored.
Been saying all along, Pitching wise go younger not older and expensive. Quite true Bone. I haven’t counted out Killian like most people have. He’s had 2 emergency starts and a failed relief experiment. Wicks has a 4 pitch mix that plays.As optimistic as your idea for trading Tallion it’s a no go I’m afraid. He will be back and lets hope it’s the first season of a new contract blues that guys seem to have for whatever reason. Don’t forget about Shaw either as he should start at AAA after a stint in AA and hopefully the AA Playoffs this year. Brown looks to need a bit more strike consistency as he goes completely off the rails at times. Not to mention there is a lot more pitching coming behind those guys. I’ll get vilified again for the lose Stroman and Hendricks campaign but so be it.
I see where you’re coming from uncle. And I mostly agree, although Kilian hasn’t made me see any reason for optimism- except for his stint in the AZFL.
One wild card in this upcoming offseason for the Cubs – is Morel. He’s a great guy and at his young age, versatility and experience- I believe he has realistic trade value. He’s not going to get us a stud SP or long term piece, but a Morel trade can fill the 3B spot until Shaw is ready to take over. I wouldn’t resign Candelario – no offense against Candelario. Morel also could bring in a quality set up reliever.
Although I believe Shaw and Triantos are the long term answers at 3rd, I’m probably the only one who believes Morel can play 3rd also. Triantos is finally looking like the prospect he was supposed to be and should be at AA next year. Morel is great as long as he doesn’t get Baez happy, But seems to come through in the big moment. Which shouldn’t be overlooked IMO. But all true on your part Bone.
You and me are on the same wavelength on a lot of things uncle and you hit another one…..YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE (in North America) that thinks Morel can play 3rd base. He cannot play 3b, 2b, outfield or anywhere in fair territory as a defensive asset in the majors.
There is a very solid reason that he has played exactly FOUR defensive innings since August 1. Two in the game the Cubs scored 20 against Cincy and Ross got Happ a couple innings off and two innings in the blowout loss against the Braves when the Cubs used Tucker Barnhart on the mound.
Dogbone has it right—-at the very best, Morel is trade bait in the off-season.
“Morel trade can fill the 3B spot until Shaw is ready to take over.”
Morel, a guy that a team can’t play in the field, is going to return a starting 3rd baseman that’s going to help the Cubs take the next step? And then the plan is for Shaw to take over in July and he’s just going to come up crushing it?
And PCA is going to start in CF
And the rotation plan is Steele, Assad, Wicks, Kilian, Horton?
So, uuuummm… You 3 realize there isn’t a team in baseball that has gotten by on 5 starters right? And you guys starting 4 guys without much experience. And this is your GM plan for the Cubs to take the next step.
I’m old enough to remember Wesneski’s 5 great starts… And everyone counting on Hughes and Thompson… And then poof,..
Sounds to like a solid plan.
“Normal names” way to show you’re a bigot. Care to see how many bad white managers there have been?
Well put, asdfgh
I just want regular lineups, a solid defense the pitching staff trusts, and an offense that other teams respect. Life in 2023 as a Cardinals fan.
It’s about time the Cards devil magic wore out! Seriously though I thought they were a lock for another postseason appearance pre season. Still wouldn’t put it past them to rip off 14 in a row just for giggles.
They’d better not. Just about the only good thing at this point is the lotto pick.
Stroman: inflammatory guy, inflammatory hip.
He’s only inflammatory to people who are easily inflamed. We have had no such issues with Stroman here in Chicago. I find him to be a quality guy and from everything I read, he’s a stand up guy in the clubhouse and liked by his teammates.
Stroman has had zero issues with the Cubs. The only issues I’ve ever heard about him is when he gets a little whiny about his contracts but he signed them so he shouldn’t complain. Just a case of somebody trying to get more money by using the media, when it should be about his performance. He’ll still get paid by somebody. I don’t think it will be by the Cubs. Even if he opts in for next year, I’d be willing to bet that the Cubs would probably deal him, At least that would be my hope. He has a player option, But not a No Trade deal.
You must not have watched him with the Cubs. He’s always the first guy out of the dugout cheering on his teammates. He’s seemingly been a great teammates on the Cubs.
Cubbies and Reds are two of the NL feel-good stories this year. Back in March, nobody had either one pegged as a playoff team. Now with about 25 or so games remaining, both could make the October dance.
And back then, whoever thought three NL Central teams could make the playoffs? And if you did, surely the Cardinals were one of the trio you chose. Crazy game, baseball.
Not to be outdone, the D-backs and Giants, two other also-rans from last year, have a shot, as well. Three teams from the NL West making the playoffs would have been a bold prediction. And, like above, if you did, you most likely had the Padres in that group.
As an aside, if SF makes the playoffs, Gabe Kapler ought to be named Manager of the Year.
Meanwhile, things are looking good for my Phillies. Doubt any NL team that makes the playoffs would be looking forward to facing our line up.
True Dat- BCTTBC