Cubs News: Injury updates on Craig Kimbrel, Brandon Kintzler |
CHICAGO — In addition to the numerous injuries to infielders that the Chicago Cubs have been forced to deal with lately, the North Siders are also currently suffering from injuries to arguably their top two arms out of the bullpen. However, the odds are fair that the Cubs will have both of them back in action relatively soon.
Closer Craig Kimbrel, who has been on the 10-day injured list for a few weeks because of elbow inflammation, is still on the shelf, and middle reliever Brandon Kintzler has not pitched in a little over a week as a result of oblique soreness. Kimbrel took part in a simulated game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, and, according to Cubs manager Joe Maddon, he fared well. Kimbrel threw 16 pitches, most of which were fastballs, and could potentially rejoin the active roster this weekend. Craig Kimbrel threw 16 pitches in a simulated game on Monday as he continues to recover from elbow soreness. He threw mostly fastballs but dropped in a couple curveballs at the end of his session. Joe Maddon was one of those watching him and says he... https://t.co/pllVOozs18 As for Kintzler, he revealed to the press that a recent in-game incident involving him tumbling off the mound on a botched pitch delivery caused intense pain in his back and side that essentially incapacitated him. Kintzler has avoided the injured list and aims to try pitching from the bump again in the next day or so before the Cubs decide on the next step for him. The general assumption is that both Kimbrel and Kintzler will be able to resume pitching at some point during the upcoming 4-game series at the Friendly Confines against the St. Louis Cardinals. B. Kintzler (Salt) will try from the mound in the next day or so. Fell off the mound a few weeks ago and never got right with his back/side: "San Diego was the worst pain I was in. That wasn't good for anybody."
