The Chicago Cubs have hung in the NL Central race despite a litany of bullpen problems, and they appeared to be rounding into form for the September stretch run. But that idea ended Thursday when the team announced Craig Kimbrel is headed to the injured list. The closer has inflammation in his elbow.
It’s Kimbrel’s second stint on the IL since he signed with the Cubs in June. He has struggled in between but recently seemed to be anchoring the back end of the bullpen while the set-up pitchers rounded into form.
Instead, the Cubs again will have to piece together the late innings until he returns.
Theo Epstein announces Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel is going on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) September 5, 2019
Hoping for a quick return
Kimbrel felt some elbow discomfort after pitching against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday and the team gave him an MRI as a precaution.
The MRI came back clean, said team president Theo Epstein, but did show some inflammation.
“To be on the cautious side, we had an MRI done and it showed that everything is in place, structurally, he just has a little inflammation in there,” Epstein said, according to ESPN.com. “The elbow MRI was pristine like when we signed him.”
Craig Kimbrel’s injury is another looming issue for this Cubs team, but it’s not game over yet, writes @PJ_Mooney: https://t.co/7aql1if971
— The Athletic (@TheAthleticCHI) September 6, 2019
Possible replacements
While Kimbrel is out, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he’ll use a committee of closers. Rowan Wick, Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler are the most likely for save chances.
As for Kimbrel, Epstien said the hope is that he’ll miss the minimum 10 days and be back late next week.
Who can the Cubs trust to replace Craig Kimbrel?@PWSullivan looks at the options.https://t.co/t7UBqNif4q
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) September 6, 2019
