Chicago Cubs All-Star Shut Down After Serious Injury Setback

On Tuesday, we heard that Chicago Cubs All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman had experienced an injury setback.

Now? We know that setback is a rib cage cartilage fracture that will keep him sidelined longer than originally planned.

The following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Stroman was diagnosed Wednesday with a right rib cage cartilage fracture and is without a timetable to return from the 15-day injured list, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

ANALYSIS
Stroman initially appeared on track to come off the IL when first eligible to start Wednesday's series finale with the White Sox, but that plan was scrapped after he reported renewed discomfort in the rib cage area Tuesday. Follow-up tests have now confirmed the nature of Stroman's setback, and the two-time All-Star now looks as though he could be out through the end of August, if not longer. While Stroman remains on the mend, Drew Smyly could make his return to the rotation when the Cubs require a fifth starter again during next week's series in Detroit.

That's very difficult news for a Cubs team that enters play on Wednesday at just 1.0 game back in the National League wild card race. When healthy, Stroman pairs with Justin Steele to make one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball.

Stroman is 10-8 this season with a 3.85 ERA but his numbers are heavily inflated by his starts prior to being placed on the injured list. He had given up 22 earned runs in his last five starts before going on the injured list.

The Cubs play the White Sox on Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. ET.

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