Cubs Can’t Afford to Keep Edward Cabrera in Rotation

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Cubs returned right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera from the IL, optioned Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa to open up the roster spot, and then gave Cabrera the ball for a rubber match against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cabrera lasted 3.2 innings on Sunday, surrendering six hits and seven earned runs in a blowout 11-4 loss.

As of Thursday, the Cubs were just 3.0 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, with a makeup game against the Washington Nationals and three games against the Cardinals on the schedule. Meanwhile, the Brewers had to play four games against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road. The Cubs managed to drop two full games in the standings over that stretch and now sit 5.0 games back, with Cabrera's poor performance being a big reason.

Following Sunday's game, Cabrera claimed to have a blister issue on his right middle finger that impacted his outing. But Cabrera apparently didn't tell Craig Counsell or any of the Cubs coaches about the blister until he was removed from the game in the fourth inning.

Any way you slice it, that's a problem. It's either a convenient excuse for Cabrera to justify his poor performance, or it's a real injury that will once again cause problems for the young right-hander. Back in May, Cabrera was placed on the IL for a blister on the very same finger.

I'm now of the opinion that the Cubs should either shut down Cabrera for the season or move him to the bullpen. But an already short leash on Cabrera's spot in the starting rotation has now run out.

The Cubs took David Peterson out of the starting rotation and moved him to the bullpen to accommodate Cabrera on the active roster.

Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa and therefore must stay in the minor leagues for a minimum of 15 days before he can be recalled, unless there is an injury (like a blister) than warrants a move to replace him. But the Cubs should also look to get him back with the team as quickly as possible.

After opening his Cubs career with 11.2 scoreless innings, Edward Cabrera has a 6.72 ERA since, along with a 1.59 WHIP. It's simply been a disastrous year. It's nowhere near good enough, and the Cubs are not currently in a position to let things play out without taking action.

If you want to win the NL Central, it's go time. And burning a rotation spot on Cabrera when you have more competent options, such as Peterson or Assad, or even Colin Rea, would be foolish.

Don’t send Cabrera back out to the mound and put yourself behind the eight ball before a game even starts.

Craig Counsell seemed noncommittal after Sunday's loss about whether or not Cabrera would stay in the rotation. But if the Cubs were wise, they'd waste no time readjusting their plans.