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The Chicago Cubs have been having a great time with their offense this year, delivering excitement and showcasing true ‘we never quit’ vibes, reminiscent of the legendary 2016 World Series team.
On the pitching side, things haven’t been so great.
There have been plenty of positives when it comes to the North Siders’ pitching staff, such as the performances of free agent acquisitions Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea, as well as the unexpected emergence of bullpen pieces Brad Keller, Daniel Palencia, and Drew Pomeranz.
The big pitching story so far the year, however, has been injury.
Pitching Losses
In April, the Cubs lost lefty ace Justin Steele for this season, and possibly beyond, with en elbow injury requiring surgery.
Earlier this month, lefty co-ace Shota Imanaga was placed on the IL with a hamstring injury that appears to be trickier and harder to deal with than originally reported.
Prior to the opening of the season, Javier Assad, thought to be the favorite to win the fifth rotation spot, went down– twice– to an oblique injury and is thought to be out until at least mid-season.
On the bullpen side of things, the biggest Cubs loss came not long ago with the injury of Porter Hodge, who was put on the 15-day IL on May 18 with a left oblique issue.
Chicago Cubs Update On Porter Hodge
On Monday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell revealed that the news is not good for the 24-year-old right-hander and that the bullpen asset may be out for longer than expected.
“Not making progress,” Counsell told media before the Cubs’ game against the Colorado Rockies in Wrigley Field. “Trying to figure out why we’re not making progress.
“The next couple days, we need to make progress, otherwise the minimum stint is not going to be reasonable.”
Hodge’s Season So Far
In 21 appearances this season, Hodge is 2-1 with a 5.12 ERA in 19.1 innings. The sophomore hurler has not looked anywhere near as impressive as he did in his 2024 rookie season, when he posted a 3-1 record with 9 saves and a 1.88 ERA in 39 games and 43 innings pitched.
However, it could also be pointed out that Hodge’s inflated 2025 numbers have mostly come from two poor outings, where he allowed a total of 9 earned runs in one inning pitched. Excluding the pair of disastrous showings, Hodge has only allowed 2 earned runs in 18.1 innings, accounting for a 1.96 ERA.
For much of the offseason, it was assumed that Hodge would take on an even more vital role in the 2025 bullpen to build off his 2024 success. Even after the Cubs traded for closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, the young pitcher was considered to be very much in the bullpen mix, serving as a setup man for Pressly and as a likely replacement if the veteran was unable to deliver as the team’s closer.
Pressly has not yet delivered and, now, it looks as though Hodge won’t have a chance to take that step up to full-time closer, at least not yet.
In the meantime, mid-April Triple-A callup Daniel Palencia looks to have taken the position as shutdown closer in Counsell’s bullpen circle of trust. The 25-year-old currently sports a 2.04 ERA with 2 saves in 16 games and 17.2 innings pitched.
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TODAY'S BEST
Yankees Linked to Mets Outfield Trade
The New York Yankees side-stepped a worst case scenario with Aaron Judge's elbow injury, as the AL MVP frontrunner should return in early-mid August, but their recent performance has placed them in a tough spot when it comes to following through with their intended aggressive approach at the trade deadline. The word around the Yankees in recent weeks had been that the organization's front office would be active in filling the club's roster holes before the July 31 cutoff point. Though it's gone 22-26 since June 1 and now sits 5 1/2 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East, New York still holds an impressive 57-48 record while owning the top Wild Card spot. The team has already begun buying with their acquisitions of infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario from the Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals, respectively, but there's still time to shift their plans if they don't believe building a World Series-caliber roster is achievable this season. Per SNY's Andy Martino, the Yankees have preliminarily considered trading away some of their rental players before Thursday's deadline amidst the club's downward trajectory. "As reported in yesterday’s column, Yankees have laid a little groundwork in trading free agents to be," Martino wrote on X. "I’m highly skeptical they’ll actually do it. Only happened once, in ‘16, and now they’re in playoff position. But if they somehow do, Trent Grisham is great fit for Mets." Selling remains unlikely for New York, however. That's not something it's done since 2016, as Martino noted, but desperate times call for desperate measures. In a world where the Yankees decide to essentially punt on 2025, players such as Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger and Grisham would all fetch solid returns. Grisham heading to the Bronx Bombers' crosstown rivals in Queens would be an unexpected development, but the fit is undeniable. The Mets don't have a ton of offensive holes beyond center field, and adding a plus-defender who is slashing .252/.355/.463 with 17 home runs would go a long way towards helping them keep pace in a top-heavy National League. The Yankees and Mets have made just four trades since 2005, but perhaps they'll put aside their differences and consummate a deal for Grisham if the former does decide to sell at this year's deadline. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Yankees Have New Bullpen Target Yankees Creating Options to Replace Aaron Judge Yankees Legend Inducted Into MLB Hall of Fame Yankees Give Timeline for Aaron Judge Return Yankees Have New Focus After Infield Trades
Packers Promising Playmaker Limps off Practice Field
Second-year Green Bay Packers running back Marshawn Lloyd can’t seem to catch a break. Chosen by the Packers with the No. 88 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Lloyd dealt with hamstring injuries throughout training camp last summer before suffering a season-ending ankle injury just one week into his rookie season. Marshawn Lloyd Knocked from Packers Practice As the intensity ratchets up at Packers training camp, Lloyd’s second season may have already gotten off on the wrong foot, during Green Bay’s first practice in full pads this summer. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, Lloyd stayed out on the field but didn’t continue to practice, instead watching from behind the huddle without a helmet. Demovsky points out that Lloyd was slow to get up but then did not return to practice the rest of the day. The Packers are likely hoping for big things from Lloyd, who is likely to compete with Emmanuel Wilson for the lion’s share of carries behind Wilson. It remains to be seen how serious Lloyd’s injury is, but if the 24-year-old is forced to miss any significant time, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers may be wise to go shopping for some quality running back help in the days and weeks ahead.
Fever Coach Stephanie White Has Given One Player the Green Light Amid Caitlin Clark's Injury
Caitlin Clark is expected to sit out for a fourth straight game on Sunday when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky in a much-awaited rivalry matchup. The 23-year-old is still dealing with a reaggravated groin strain and has no timetable to return. The rest of her Fever teammates have had to step up in her absence. There is, perhaps, no other player who has taken a bigger role on the offensive end amid Clark’s injury spell than three-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, however, struggled with her shot in Thursday’s win against the Las Vegas Aces. The 5-foot-8 guard shot the ball poorly in the first three quarters, going just 4-of-19 from the field for 12 points. Mitchell caught fire in the fourth, though. She went 4-of-5 in the final frame for nine points, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-24 shooting. This is exactly why head coach Stephanie White remains completely confident in Mitchell’s scoring ability. The veteran coach has made it clear that she has given Mitchell the green light to shoot the rock. “The biggest thing with Kelsey is just telling her, ‘Let it fly.’ It’s going to go,” White said after Thursday’s win against Las Vegas. "... Keep shooting it from outside. She made some big ones when we needed them.” Kelsey Mitchell Has Stepped up Amid Clark's Injury Mitchell has answered the call for the Fever of late. In the three games Clark has been sidelined, Mitchell has put up averages of 22.0 points on 42.9% shooting. She also knocked down 2.7 triples during that stretch on a 34.8% clip. The 29-year-old veteran will need to keep her foot on the gas on Sunday as the Fever try to take down the Sky at United Center. With Clark watching from the bench, the Fever will rely on Mitchell’s scoring against Chicago as they look to improve on their 13-12 record. The Fever and Sky meet at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC.
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur Offers Guidance for 3rd-Year Receiver Longshot
The Green Bay Packers had their first padded practice Monday after kicking off training camp last week. Speaking to reporters, head coach Matt LaFleur outlined what he’s hoping for out of third-season receiver Malik Heath this summer entering what could very well be a year of reckoning for the former undrafted free agent. Green Bay Packers receiver depth chart makes tough sledding for Heath, others lower down the list After playing college ball at Mississippi State and Ole Miss, Heath joined the Packers in 2023. By midseason, he was earning consistent snaps as one of Jordan Love’s fringe receivers. Last year was more up and down, as Heath delivered most of his season production on a 41-yard reception in Week 18 against the Bears, a game in which the Packers played one serious half before injuries and playoff preparation dictated that they turn to reserves. He did receive four targets in the first round against the Eagles, but was unable to haul any in. In two NFL seasons, Heath has 25 catches for 222 yards and three touchdowns. He’s unlikely to get increased burn in 2025 due to Green Bay’s youthful depth, but if he is going to make a mark with the Packers, it might be now or never. The 25-year-old receiver hits restricted free agency after this season. In LaFleur’s press conference, the coach was asked about the growth he wants to see in Heath during camp. “He’s just got to continue to stack, and maximize his opportunities, because obviously it’s a very competitive receiver room,” LaFleur said. “I love how Malik competes, and when called upon he’s done a nice job for us. I would say just build upon that and maximize each rep.” Particularly for an undrafted free agent, Heath has impressed simply by getting a share of real-game snaps each of his first two seasons. As LaFleur says, though, he’s up against tough competition. Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Mecole Hardman, and perhaps Savion Williams all project to sit ahead of him on the depth chart at season’s start. Christian Watson will also return at some point. Without a clear opening for increased playing time, Heath will have to make a strong impression in training camp and preseason to glean some extra chances.
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