Leiter Hits Injured List Amid Cubs’ Bullpen Woes
CHICAGO – In a season already marred by injuries and inconsistencies, the Chicago Cubs have been dealt another blow as setup reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain, the team announced Sunday.
Leiter, 33, has been struggling lately, surrendering eight runs over his last four appearances before the injury sidelined him. Despite his recent difficulties, Leiter has been a crucial component of the Cubs' bullpen, excelling particularly in managing inherited runners. Only three out of the 20 inherited runners have scored against him, highlighting his effectiveness in critical situations. However, his recent outings have severely affected his stats, inflating his ERA to 5.34 across 32 games this season, along with a 2-4 record.
Cubs’ Injury Epidemic
Leiter's injury is the latest setback for a struggling bullpen that has been riddled with injuries lately. The Cubs have already seen a series of injuries at the back end of their bullpen, including Adbert Alzolay, the Cubs' Opening Day closer, who is also sidelined with a forearm strain. Middle relievers Yency Almonte and Julian Merryweather are similarly on the injured list, leaving the Cubs’ bullpen both shorthanded and less effective.
The Cubs' bullpen currently ranks 23rd in Major League Baseball with a 4.44 ERA, and the loss of Leiter further compounds their issues. With their ability to hold leads and provide stability in the late innings under significant scrutiny, Leiter's absence is a worrying development for a team fighting to stay competitive.
Leiter’s Season by the Numbers
At the beginning of the season, Mark Leiter Jr.’s contributions were significant. His skill at managing inherited runners was particularly noteworthy, as only three of the 20 inherited runners scored under his watch. However, his struggles in recent outings have marred his overall performance, resulting in an inflated ERA of 5.34 over 32 appearances and a season record of 2-4.
His placement on the injured list comes at a critical time for the Cubs, who will need other bullpen members to step up in his absence.
Next Man Up
To fill Leiter’s spot on the roster, the Cubs have recalled left-handed pitcher Luke Little. Little has shown promise in his minor league performances, but the pressure will be on him to perform at a high level immediately, given the scrutiny the bullpen is under. He will need to quickly find his footing as he joins a bullpen in desperate need of stability.
The Cubs are hopeful that Little can help stabilize their late-game pitching options, but with the team’s standing in the bullpen rankings underscoring the urgent need for effective performances, the challenges are significant. All eyes will be on how the bullpen manages in Leiter's absence, as they try to maintain competitive momentum.
Conclusion
Injuries have significantly hampered the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen over the season, with Mark Leiter Jr.'s injury exacerbating the issue. The burden now falls on the remaining bullpen members and newly called-up Luke Little to manage their late-game pitching challenges effectively.
The Cubs are in the fight to stay competitive, and managing these late-game pitching hurdles is paramount to their success. While Leiter's injury is a substantial setback, the bullpen's response in his absence will be crucial in determining the Cubs' ability to navigate through this challenging period.
Quotes:
"CHICAGO – In a season already marred by injuries and inconsistencies, the Chicago Cubs have been dealt another blow as setup reliever Mark Leiter Jr. was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain, the team announced Sunday."