Cubs Pitcher Sent To Injured List for Embarrassing Reason
By Jovan Alford
This season hasn’t gone to plan for the Chicago Cubs, who were on the doorstep of making the playoffs last season, and now find themselves in the basement of the NL Central. The Cubs are 11 games out of first place heading into Sunday despite receiving quality pitching (3.96 ERA – 13th in the majors).
However, Chicago’s offense has been less than stellar this season, as they are ranked 28th in batting average (.228).
Returning to the Cubs’ pitching staff, they suffered another blow to their bullpen as they lost reliever Colten Brewer to the 60-day injured list on Sunday because of a left-fractured hand, per Taylor McGregor.
#Cubs select the contract of Hunter Bigge. Colten Brewer has been placed on the 60-day IL with a left hand fracture.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 7, 2024
Brewer wasn’t pitching great out of the bullpen this season for the Cubs as he had a 5.66 ERA and a .293 opponent batting average. That said, Chicago fans will be dismayed when they find out why the 31-year-old will now miss the next two months.
Cubs News: Veteran Reliever Ruins His Season by Punching a Wall
McGregor reported that Brewer fractured his left hand by punching a wall in the dugout after he was removed from the game on Saturday.
#Cubs Colten Brewer broke his hand punching the dugout wall yesterday after being removed from the game.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 7, 2024
The 31-year-old reliever threw 0.2 innings after coming in for starter Kyle Hendricks, who went two innings before being diagnosed with lower back tightness. Brewer struggled in his brief appearance, allowing three runs (one earned run), two hits, and two walks.
It was a far cry from what Brewer did earlier this week against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out three in two innings of relief.
The Cubs couldn’t afford to have another injury in the bullpen, as it was announced on Saturday that reliever Yency Almonte was placed on the 60-day injured list because of season-ending right shoulder surgery.
That said, Brewer breaking his hand by punching a dugout wall is a perfect microcosm to explain how this season has gone for the Cubs. Chicago hopes 26-year-old Hunter Bigge can be a spark in the bullpen, as he’s pitched well in Triple-A this season.
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