The Chicago Cubs just can’t catch a break with their pitching staff this year. And on Saturday, the bad news came from an unexpected place: a guy’s appendix.
Left-handed reliever Hoby Milner has been sidelined with appendicitis, forcing the Cubs to place him on the 15-day injured list. In a flurry of corresponding moves, Chicago brought up Bryse Wilson to the active roster, optioned Jayden Murray to Triple-A, and recalled Tyler Ferguson.
Milner, 35, has been quietly effective out of the bullpen this season. Through 38 appearances, he’s posted a 3.53 ERA across 35.2 innings. Not flashy, but reliable — exactly the kind of arm you don’t want to lose to something like appendicitis. The timing is rough too, considering how many other pitchers on this roster have already spent time on the IL.
The rotation has been especially beat up. But the bullpen hasn’t exactly been bulletproof either. Multiple relievers have missed time, and now Milner becomes the latest name added to that list.
There’s no word yet on how long he’ll be out. Appendicitis recovery can vary depending on severity and whether surgery is involved. The Cubs have not provided a timeline beyond the 15-day IL placement. Updates will come as they’re available.
With the trade deadline creeping closer, it’s a safe bet the front office is already working the phones. This roster needs pitching depth — both in the rotation and the bullpen — and another injury only makes that more obvious. Don’t be surprised if Chicago makes a move or two before August 1.
On the field, the Cubs have bigger problems too. They dropped Friday’s game to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2, and they’ll face the Brewers again Saturday night in Milwaukee. Chicago sits in second place in the NL Central, but they’re 7.5 games behind the division-leading Brewers. At 44-38, they’re not out of it. But they’re running out of margin for error.
First pitch Saturday is set for 7:10 PM EST.
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