Chicago Cubs left-hander Jose Quintata suffered a laceration to his pitching hand while washing dishes and has undergone surgery. The bizarre injury and necessary procedure presumably puts Quintana’s availability for the abbreviated 2020 MLB season in doubt.
The Cubs indicated in a statement issued Thursday that the 31-year-old pitcher suffered the injury in his Florida home. The cut was to his left thumb and required five stitches to close up the wound.
“This morning in Chicago, Quintana underwent microscopic surgery on his left thumb to further determine the extent of his injury,” the statement read in part. “The procedure identified a lacerated digital sensory nerve in his left thumb, which was surgically repaired.”
The statement adds that Quintana is expected to resume throwing in approximately two weeks, barring any setbacks, although it’s unclear whether the pitcher will be ready in time for MLB’s shortened 60-game season.
There is no shortage of instances where major leaguers have suffered mind-boggling injuries involving innocuous activities that have absolutely nothing to do with actually playing baseball. Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow, for example, injured his back a few years ago while taking off his pants, of all things.
Last year, Tampa Bay Rays ace Blake Snell suffered a fractured fourth toe on his right foot while trying to move a granite decorative stand in his bathroom after getting out of the shower.
Then there’s the case of San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, who last April had an accident in a sauna that left him needing nine stitches above his right eye. Earlier this year, New York Mets pitcher Seth Lugo suffered a fractured toe in a hotel room mishap.
Quintana was 13-9 with a 4.68 ERA last season, his third with the Cubs. While these kind of injuries are indeed bizarre, it does not diminish how unfortunate and potentially devastating these setbacks can be for both the player and the team.
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