Chicago Cubs High-Leverage Reliever to Miss Entire 2024 Season

The Chicago Cubs gave injury updates on Thursday regarding many of their current players, as well as some soon-to-be free agents.

One of those updates regarded one of their high-leverage relievers from the 2023 MLB season.

Right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer successfully underwent UCL revision surgery on his elbow the team announced on Thursday morning, the cause for the season-long absence next year.

Fulmer pitched to a 4.42 ERA through 57.0 innings in 2023 before being placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 16 with the elbow injury. That injury took place just before their series with the Arizona Diamondback who they were competing with for the final National League Wild Card spot.

The Diamondbacks are now currently playing in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies.

While Fulmer saw a bit of a down year in 2023, the first with Chicago, the righty was still trusted late in games and recorded two saves. He was a valuable arm in the bullpen.

Fulmer was working on a one-year deal with the Cubs, so any potential for his return to the club in the future remains murky if not unlikely.

In other injury news, the club said they expect Nick Madrigal, Brandon Hughes, Ethan Roberts and Nick Burdi to have normal offseason programs. However, pitcher Brandon Hughes will begin a throwing program in November according to The Athletic.

For Chicago, it appears that the bullpen will be one of their main concerns they must address this winter if they hope to take the next step forward in the National League Central and in the postseason race.