With the Chicago Cubs‘ beginning pitching intensity changing into a larger fear, they must believe calling up prospect Cade Horton.
In Sunday’s highway sport towards the Milwaukee Brewers, Cubs beginning pitcher Shota Imanaga exited within the backside of the 6th inning.
After the 4-0 loss, the Cubs introduced the left-hander had suffered a left hamstring pressure. According to Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM in Chicago, the pitcher will go through imaging prior to the Cubs resolve whether or not they’re going to position him at the injured listing.
It would not be surprising if the Cubs put Imanaga at the 15-day IL. Citing Baseball Prospectus’ damage database, CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson reported hamstring traces in most cases closing 3 to 4 weeks.
If Imanaga misses a couple of weeks, it may well be pricey for Chicago. Through his first 8 video games this season, he led the workforce in ERA (2.82) and wins (3).
Chicago ace Justin Steele — a one-time All-Star — underwent season-ending left elbow surgical operation on April 18.
Chicago does not have elite pitching outdoor of Steele and Imanaga. Through its first 34 video games this season, it ranked 16th in baseball in ERA (3.81).
Horton — the No. 2 prospect within the Cubs farm device, according to MLB Pipeline — may assist mitigate Chicago’s beginning pitching problems.
He appears to be like in a position to make the leap to the majors. In his get started towards the Buffalo Bisons on Sunday, he allowed one run and two hits in six innings. Through his first six video games for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs this season, he has a stellar 1.24 ERA.
The Cubs, on the other hand, have hinted they do not need to rush Horton’s building.
“The best thing that’s happening with Cade right now is just he’s taking the ball every six days,” Chicago supervisor Craig Counsell advised MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian in a tale printed April 21. “Just keep taking the ball. Keep developing. Keep improving. And we’ll see where that gets us sometime in the middle of the summer. I think Cade needs to pitch. I think there’s a lot of mound time that’s really important to him.”
Still, it kind of feels like the appropriate time for the Cubs to expedite their plans for Horton. They are not looking for pitching problems to derail their 21-14 get started.