Chicago Cubs Pitcher Marcus Stroman Dealing with Rib Fracture
Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman has been sidelined due to a recently discovered rib fracture, according to reports from The Athletic. Although the severity of the injury remains unclear, the Cubs do not have a defined timetable for his return to the rotation.
Stroman initially landed on the 15-day injured list with right hip inflammation on August 2. He was scheduled to start in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox but was unable to due to discomfort in his rib area. The injury apparently occurred after a bullpen session over the weekend.
Unfortunately, the injury has proven to be more serious than anticipated. Stroman, who is 32 years old, has posted a 3.85 ERA this season and holds a 10-8 record with the Cubs. After a strong start to the year, Stroman received his second career All-Star selection, but struggled in his last nine appearances on the mound, going 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA. It’s worth noting that Stroman has the potential to become a free agent at the end of this season.
In Stroman’s absence, the Cubs have relied more heavily on Javier Assad and are likely to continue doing so if Stroman’s injury extends into the later stages of the season. Assad, who pitched seven innings and allowed just one run in the Cubs’ recent victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, is set to start in Stroman’s place once again on Wednesday.
Cubs manager David Ross expressed some positivity amidst the situation, stating, I think the one positive to all this is Javier Assad’s throwing the ball really well.
Currently holding a 61-58 record, the Cubs are trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by just 3.5 games in the NL Central. Additionally, they are only one game behind in the NL wild card race. Despite dropping their last two games, the Cubs remain hopeful of their postseason chances as they strive to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
