Cubs are rookies Riley Martin hit the injured list with what was initially described as elbow inflammation this weekend, but the lefty has been diagnosed with a flexor strain, according to Marquee’s Taylor McGregor. He is expected to miss up to eight weeks, which would shut down the 28-year-old southpaw in late June.
It’s a difficult development for both Martin and the Cubs. The 2021 sixth-round pick was added to the 40-man roster back in November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft after he posted a 2.69 ERA and 30.7% strikeout rate in 63 2/3 Triple-A frames last year. He was returned to the majors in his major league debut earlier this month. Martin’s first few weeks in MLB couldn’t have gone much better. He appeared in eight games and pitched a total of 8 1/3 innings, holding opponents to two runs (2.16 ERA) on five hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts.
Martin’s flexor strain is the latest in a growing number of bullpen injuries for a losing Cubs team Porter Hodge (UCL surgery), Daniel Palencia (lat strain), Hunter Harvey (swelling of the triceps) and Caleb Thielbar (hamstring strain) in recent weeks. Hodge’s season is over. Palencia’s lat strain is not on his throwing side, so he should be able to return in the next few weeks. There was no indication that Thielbar or Harvey would need to be out long.
Even if Palencia, Thielbar and Harvey are each back sometime by mid-May, it’s a troubling number of injuries. The Cubs also lost Phil Maton several weeks due to tendinitis in his knee. He returned last night but was tagged for two runs in an inning of work – his fourth straight appearance in which he was hit with two earned runs. Maton’s ERA in the young season sits at a sky-high 14.40, so it seems clear that he hasn’t been at 100% thus far.
With both Thielbar and Martin sidelined, the Cubs are also without a 26-year-old lefty. Jordan Wickswhich is in IL due to elbow inflammation. Left-handed relief is a deep spot for the Cubs, as well as veterans Hoby Milner (who signed a one-year deal in free agency this winter) is still healthy, giving the captain Craig Counsell at least one option you have experience with. Ryan Rolison he’s currently in the second left field, but the former Rockies prospect was a January waiver claim who has yet to establish himself in the majors. He has pitched four scoreless innings so far as a Cub but has only struck out one of the 13 batters he has faced.
Martin’s schedule makes him a candidate to move to the 60-day injured list the next time the Cubs need a roster spot. It’s possible he’ll be able to return within the 60-day window, but that won’t stop the Cubs from making a move, given the few days difference between his best situation and that 60-day window. In the meantime, he will accumulate major league service time and major league salary.
