The Chicago Cubs received an encouraging update Monday as Edward Cabrera advanced another step in his recovery from the injuries that have sidelined him since late June.
The 28-year-old right-hander began a throwing program over the weekend after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and left adductor. The milestone marks the first major step toward his eventual return to Chicago's rotation.
Cabrera was injured during his June 23 start against the New York Mets after stretching at first base to receive a throw from Nico Hoerner. He left the field on a cart, and an MRI later confirmed moderate strains in both his left hamstring and left adductor.
Bruce Levine reported on X, "Cubs RHP Edward Cabrera started a throwing program this weekend. Mgr Craig Counsell was encouraged by the work."
Counsell previously said, "Cabrera is limited to playing catch, but after the Cubs came away encouraged by how his strained hamstring responded... he could advance to throwing off a mound later this week before the team heads into the All-Star break."
Before the injury, Cabrera had gone 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA, a 1.40 WHIP and 65 strikeouts across 72 1/3 innings in 14 starts during his first season with Chicago. The Cubs acquired him from the Miami Marlins in January in exchange for Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernández and Edgardo De Leon.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Cubs entered Monday with a 50-40 record, sitting second in the National League Central, six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. With Justin Steele and Ben Brown already sidelined, Cabrera's progress is an important development for the club's rotation depth.
If Cabrera continues progressing, he could begin throwing off a mound before the All-Star break and potentially start a minor league rehab assignment afterward. That timeline would put him in a position to return to Chicago's rotation later this month if he avoids any setbacks.
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