With the Chicago Cubs‘ beginning pitching depth changing into a much bigger concern, they need to take into account calling up prospect Cade Horton.
In Sunday’s highway sport towards the Milwaukee Brewers, Cubs beginning pitcher Shota Imanaga exited in the bottom of the sixth inning.
After the 4-0 loss, the Cubs introduced the left-hander had suffered a left hamstring pressure. In response to Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM in Chicago, the pitcher will bear imaging earlier than the Cubs decide whether or not they may place him on the injured record.
It would not be stunning if the Cubs put Imanaga on the 15-day IL. Citing Baseball Prospectus’ harm database, CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson reported hamstring strains usually final three to 4 weeks.
If Imanaga misses a number of weeks, it may very well be expensive for Chicago. Via his first eight video games this season, he led the workforce in ERA (2.82) and wins (three).
Chicago ace Justin Steele — a one-time All-Star — underwent season-ending left elbow surgery on April 18.
Chicago would not have elite pitching exterior of Steele and Imanaga. Via its first 34 video games this season, it ranked sixteenth in baseball in ERA (3.81).
Horton — the No. 2 prospect within the Cubs farm system, per MLB Pipeline — might assist mitigate Chicago’s beginning pitching points.
He appears able to make the soar to the majors. In his begin towards the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday, he allowed one run and two hits in six innings. Via his first six video games for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs this season, he has a stellar 1.24 ERA.
The Cubs, nevertheless, have hinted they do not need to rush Horton’s growth.
“The perfect factor that is taking place with Cade proper now could be simply he is taking the ball each six days,” Chicago supervisor Craig Counsell instructed MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian in a narrative printed April 21. “Simply maintain taking the ball. Hold growing. Hold enhancing. And we’ll see the place that will get us someday in the midst of the summer season. I feel Cade must pitch. I feel there’s lots of mound time that is actually necessary to him.”
Nonetheless, it looks as if the appropriate time for the Cubs to expedite their plans for Horton. They do not need pitching points to derail their 21-14 begin.