José Quintana Out Indefinitely
Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher José Quintana will be out indefinitely after suffering a left thumb injury. According to the team, Quintana cut his thumb while doing the dishes at his home in Miami. The laceration required five stitches, and he also “underwent microscopic surgery to further determine the extent of his injury.” The procedure revealed that he had sliced a digital sensory nerve in his thumb, which was repaired in surgery.
Quintana is expected to start throwing again in two weeks. The team will then try to determine how much time he will miss in the abbreviated 2020 season. In 2019, he posted a 13-9 record to go along with a 4.68 ERA.
Concern About Cubs Pitching Depth
Even before Quintana’s injury, there were concerns about the Cubs’ pitching depth. Although Chicago still possesses three reliable arms in Yu Darvish, Jon Lester, and Kyle Hendricks, they will be scrambling to find a suitable replacement for Quintana and a starter for the fifth spot in their rotation.
“This injury certainly challenges our depth in an area where we had some concerns already about our depth,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said. “It’s going to be important for certain players to step up and make the most of this opportunity.”
The current favorites for the fourth and fifth rotational spots heading into Spring Training 2.0 are Alec Mills and Tyler Chatwood. Mills, a 28-year-old right-hander, posted a 2.75 ERA in four starts and nine appearances last season. Chatwood, who went 5-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 2019, seems to be lock for a starting role due to his experience and reliability. Right-handers Colin Rea and Adbert Alzolay are also in the mix for the temporary vacancy.
”We didn’t necessarily see this circumstance coming with [Quintana],” Epstein said. “It’s something you can’t anticipate. We know there are going to be absences that we have to fill, and there’s going to be adversity we’re going to have to overcome.”
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