Yes, the Cubs have added yet another pitcher to the injured list.
The team’s ongoing wave of pitching injuries continued when left-handed reliever was placed on the IL with right knee tendinitis. It marks his second knee-related stint on the injured list this season.
“The first time, we gave him some time off and felt like we made progress,” manager Craig Counsell said Friday. “But now we’re drifting back into similar territory. We really need Phil moving in the right direction. It feels like we’re close, but the health piece has taken a step backward.
“If we can use this stretch — and possibly the All-Star break — to get him as healthy as possible for the second half, that’s critical. We need the best version of Phil Maton.”
While this setback doesn’t carry the same impact as the recent rash of injuries that have crippled the starting rotation, it still hurts. Maton was signed to a two-year free-agent deal in the offseason to be a key late-inning option, but results haven’t followed. He currently owns a 6.08 ERA on the season.
There had been encouraging signs recently. Entering this week’s four-game series against the Mets, Maton had allowed just two runs over his previous 12 appearances.
“We’re getting there,” Maton said earlier in the week. “But at some point, you’ve got to turn that into results and put up zeros. That’s what I’m focused on.”
That momentum stalled in New York. Maton allowed a run in both of his relief outings, each coming on solo home runs. He also walked one batter and hit another during the series.
Some frustrated fans may welcome a brief break from seeing Maton used in high-leverage spots, but the Cubs simply can’t afford to lose more arms. With much of the rotation already sidelined, the bullpen has also taken hits. Maton now joins closer Daniel Palencia on the injured list, further complicating Counsell’s late-inning options.
Suzuki still managing knee issue
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki continues to deal with lingering discomfort in his right knee, leading the Cubs to keep him primarily in the designated hitter role.
Since exiting a game early in San Francisco, Suzuki has appeared in right field only once — during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader — when a sliding play appeared to aggravate the knee. He sat out Thursday before returning as the DH on Friday.
“It’s something he’s managing,” Counsell said. “He feels like he can play, but until we get him some rest during the All-Star break, it’s probably going to be something we’re monitoring daily.”
Despite the knee issue, Suzuki showed no trouble at the plate, homering Friday to break up a developing no-hit bid by one of baseball’s top young arms.
Taillon making encouraging progress
In a rare bit of positive news on the injury front, veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon, who is rehabbing a hamstring injury, could potentially return before the All-Star break.
“I’m making really, really exciting progress,” Taillon said earlier this week.
Counsell added Friday that if Taillon does return before the break, it would likely be for a short outing, with longer starts saved for the second half of the season.
For a Cubs team battered by injuries, even a limited return would be a welcome boost.