As the MLB trade deadline neared, the Chicago Cubs were already in need of starting pitchers, a situation that worsened when Jameson Tallion was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a strained right calf. The 33-year-old could potentially miss more than the designated 15 days, with Cubs manager Craig Counsel expressing hopes that Tallion would be sidelined for over a month following his injury sustained after a bullpen session on Thursday.
Tallion has made 17 starts this season, sharing the team lead with Matthew Boyd. He holds a 4.44 ERA with 75 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings pitched. However, he has allowed 22 home runs, ranking second among MLB starting pitchers in this category.
To fill Tallion’s spot on the roster, the Cubs called up Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa. Wicks has appeared 12 times this season (starting 11 games), posting a 4.06 ERA and recording 46 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. He has been impressive recently, with a 1.65 ERA over his last five starts, but Cubs manager Counsel indicated Wicks will be used out of the bullpen during this period.
Wicks, 25, had previously pitched for the Cubs earlier this season, making two relief appearances where he gave up three runs over two innings, resulting in a 13.50 ERA. Tallion’s next scheduled start was set for Saturday, but the Cubs plan to use a bullpen game with an opener instead.
“These things happen,” Counsel told reporters Friday. “As an organization, you have to prepare for the next step, the next solution. And that’s where we are.” He added, “Now there’s a small space for us to be flexible.”
While the Cubs aim to acquire a starting pitcher before the July 31 MLB trade deadline, Counsel may need to find a short-term solution. One option could be to extend reliever Chris Flex, who has mostly pitched as a starter over his eight-year career. “He’s certainly a stretchable candidate,” Counsel said to the Chicago Sun-Times. “He’s ready to do a little more at this point… he pitched 160 innings last year as a major league starter.”
On June 27th, Flex pitched four innings in relief during a 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros, throwing 50 pitches in that outing.
—
Fan Take: This development is crucial for Cubs fans and baseball enthusiasts alike as it highlights the ongoing challenges teams face with injuries and roster adjustments during a critical part of the season. How the Cubs manage their pitching staff could impact their competitiveness and provide insight into team strategies as the trade deadline approaches.
