Teams across the league are dealing with some of their players picking up minor injuries during Spring Training, however, it seems like the Chicago Cubs have players getting more severe diagnoses.
Starting left fielder Ian Happ pulled his hamstring and could be in jeopardy of missing Opening Day. They're optimistic that he'll be available since there's still time to rehab before the season begins.
But, the injury news keeps coming for the Cubs.
Maddie Lee of Chicago Sun-Times reports that infielder Nick Madrigal has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain of his own, and pitcher Caleb Kilian has a strained teres major in his scapula and will miss months of time that could have him out until the All-Star break.
It was originally thought that Madrigal only suffered a cramp when he was removed from action in a Spring Training game.
This is concerning for the third baseman.
He spent two separate stints on the injured list with muscle issues in 2023 and has dealt with leg injuries over the entirety of his career. Chicago was evaluating if Madrigal could be their starting third base option to start the year, but is now sidelined with a hamstring strain once again.
Kilian's injury hurts from a depth standpoint.
He made his Major League debut in 2022 and has appeared in six games over the course of his career, making four starts. It's been a tough showing for him after allowing 23 earned runs over 16 2/3 innings pitched.
As a starting pitcher in the minors, he's performed much better, posting an ERA of 4.22 and 4.56 the past two seasons across 51 games and 50 starts in Triple-A.
It's unlikely that he would have been a major factor with the Cubs this year, but not having another option hurts in case other pitchers pick up injuries.
Overall, it's been a tough Spring Training for Chicago as players expected to be contributors are staring down missing time to start the season.
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