Cubs Notes: Stroman Battles Cramps, Bote Optioned, and More

In the middle of Game 1 of Thursday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs’ starting pitcher Marcus Stroman had a scary moment in the fifth inning. The typically energetic right-hander stepped off the mound and appeared to have suffered a leg injury.

But according to Gordan Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago, Stroman was only experiencing leg cramps due to the humidity.

Stroman, who was on the injured list earlier this season because of shoulder soreness, was on cruise control for most of the game. After talking to the trainer and manager David Ross, the righty was able to stay in the game and work through the fifth and sixth innings without giving up a run. He eventually allowed all three of his runs on the afternoon in the seventh after surrendering back-to-back home runs to Nolan Gorman and Paul Goldschmidt, as well as a sacrifice fly by Lars Nootbaar.

The Cardinals ended up winning the game in the ninth, with Nootbaar hitting a walk-off single to take the first contest of the twin bill.

For the day, Stroman threw 6.2 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs with no walks and six strikeouts. After the game, Wittenmyer checked in with Stroman on the leg cramps.

“[I was] just getting super crampy in my lower half, a little light-headed,” Stroman said. “Humid day games are usually tough for me to get through. I’m just glad I could get out there and pitch. I just needed a little second to stretch and catch my breath.”

Fingers crossed that the cramps were just a minor scare for Stroman and he won’t have to miss any future starts. Since his return from the IL, he’s posted a 1.67 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just six walks in five starts.

Bote Optioned to Triple-A, Newcomb Selected

The Chicago Cubs also made a couple of roster moves after Game 1 of the doubleheader.