As the Chicago Cubs march towards October, they will miss starter John Lackey and setup man Hector Rondon for two weeks.
The Chicago Cubs received a double whammy Friday afternoon when they placed pitchers John Lackey and Hector Rondon in the disabled list.
Lackey, 37, experienced shoulder tightness in his last start on August 14. Pitching at home against the St. Louis Cardinals, he threw 6.2 innings and 101 pitches in drawing a no decision. With five strikeouts and scattering four hits, there was nothing in the performance that showed any kind of trouble.
As the Cubs hold a 13-game lead in the National League Central over the Cards, manager Joe Maddon is almost at the point where he can afford to rest his pitchers for the playoffs. Lackey made 24 starts this year, with a 9-7 record and 3.41 ERA, as he leads the team in innings pitched with 158.1 and batters faced with 627. As long as his shoulder fatigue does not develop into something severe, he can be eased back into the rotation and placed wherever for the NL Divisional Series.
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The Cubs promoted left-hander Rob Zastryzny and righty Felix Pena from Triple-A Iowa, two top prospects.
Rondon’s injury, although mild, is worth a closer look. Diagnosed with a right triceps strain, he took the loss the same game Lackey last started. Lasting 1/3rd of an inning, he allowed four runs, including two home runs on 22 pitches. His ERA shot from 1.70 to 2.53. He pitched an inning during a doubleheader Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers allowing a walk in an otherwise spotless frame.
Moved to the eighth inning setup role when the Cubs traded for Aroldis Chapman, Rondon earned five holds and has a record of 1-1. Chapman’s arrival in the Windy City was not due to Rondon’s performance, but as insurance for the Cubs this postseason. Overall, he is 2-3 with a 2.47 ERA and 18 saves on the ledger. If something were to happen to Chapman, a healthy Rondon could close and do the job.
Although he is expected to return right after the 15 days are over, with Pedro Strop out with a left knee injury until around Labor Day, bullpen depth may be an issue as the season winds down.
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To get there, they need to stay healthy. Although Lackey’s statistics are the weakest in the rotation, his experience and ability to eat innings makes him invaluable. The bullpen is different. If they are to make the World Series, Rondon needs to be healthy. That added depth of two closers shortens games come October. Chicago paid dearly for that luxury. Fans now hope it remains that way.