The Chicago Cubs have received a major boost to their starting rotation, with right-hander Edward Cabrera set to return from the injured list Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Friday that Cabrera will be activated from the 15-day injured list and make his first Major League start since suffering a left hamstring injury in June. His return comes at an important point in the season, with Chicago pushing toward the postseason and beginning a three-game home series against St. Louis.
Cabrera has been sidelined since June 24 after sustaining the injury while covering first base during a June 23 game against the New York Mets. The injury interrupted what had been Cabrera’s first season with Chicago after the Cubs acquired him from the Miami Marlins during the offseason.
Before landing on the injured list, Cabrera had made 14 starts and posted a 5-4 record with a 5.10 ERA. While his numbers were uneven, his return gives the Cubs another experienced arm capable of taking meaningful innings in the rotation.
The 28-year-old showed encouraging signs during his rehabilitation process. In his most recent rehab appearance for Double-A Knoxville, Cabrera threw five hitless innings, striking out seven and walking only one batter. The outing gave the Cubs enough confidence to end his rehab assignment and bring him back to the major-league club.
Cabrera’s return also arrives with Chicago having more pitching depth than it did earlier in the season. The Cubs added additional arms at the trade deadline, meaning the team does not necessarily need Cabrera to immediately carry a heavy workload. Instead, the club can carefully manage his innings as he works his way back into a regular starting routine.
The timing is especially notable because Cabrera will return directly against the Cardinals. Chicago entered the series playing some of its best baseball of the season and followed that momentum with a 3-0 victory over St. Louis on Friday. Clay Holmes dominated the Cardinals for 6 2/3 scoreless innings, while Seiya Suzuki provided the offense with a three-run homer.
Cabrera’s return should add another dimension to a Cubs rotation that has been strengthened considerably in recent weeks. His ability to generate strikeouts and work deep into games could become increasingly valuable as Chicago navigates the final stretch of the regular season.
There is also a roster decision attached to Cabrera’s return. Counsell indicated that Chicago intends to maintain a five-man rotation moving forward, meaning another pitcher will have to make way when Cabrera is officially activated. David Peterson has been viewed as the likely candidate to leave the rotation, although the Cubs had not made the corresponding move official at the time of the announcement.
Cabrera originally joined Chicago after spending the first portion of his career with Miami. Through 103 career appearances, including 101 starts, he owns a 30-33 record and a 4.21 ERA. The Cubs acquired him hoping that a change of scenery and continued development could unlock more consistency from a pitcher with considerable raw ability.
His first season in Chicago has been interrupted by the hamstring issue, but Sunday’s outing provides Cabrera with an opportunity to restart his campaign at a crucial moment.
The Cubs will be hoping the extended recovery period has allowed him to return at full strength. His successful rehab outing was encouraging, but facing a Major League lineup over several innings will be a much more significant test.
For Chicago, the objective is bigger than simply getting one injured starter back. With the postseason race intensifying, the Cubs need as many reliable starting options as possible. Cabrera’s return gives Counsell another arm to deploy while also increasing competition within the rotation.
For the Cardinals, Sunday’s matchup presents a difficult challenge against a pitcher returning with something to prove. St. Louis will look to rebound after being limited to one hit in Friday’s shutout loss and will now have to prepare for a Cubs starter who has been away from the majors for nearly two months.
Cabrera’s return therefore carries significance for both teams. For the Cubs, it represents a welcome reinforcement at a critical stage of the season. For Cabrera, it is a chance to put his injury behind him and show that he can still become an important part of Chicago’s rotation.
If he can build on his dominant five-inning rehab performance and provide effective innings Sunday, Cabrera could become one of the Cubs’ most valuable additions for the stretch run.
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