Oblique Injury Nabs Another Chicago Cubs Player

The Chicago Cubs are sending their third player to the injured list due to an oblique injury. The team announced that Porter Hodge is heading to the 15-day IL with a left oblique injury, making him the third Chicago Cub to be sidelined in 2025 with an oblique injury. Ian Happ and Javier Assad are already on the shelf dealing with their injuries, but this newest addition to the IL came at a cost last night. With Hodge on the roster but unavailable to close for Craig Counsell, the Cubs surrendered a walk-off hit to the Miami Marlins, leading to concerns about how the bullpen will compensate for Hodge’s absence. Replacing Hodge in the bullpen is going to be a challenge for this Chicago Cubs bullpen that has already experienced immense fluctuation in 2025, and Counsell is well-prepared to cobble together a plan to make up for the absence of one of his better relievers. Replacing Hodge on the active roster falls on the desk of Jed Hoyer, and while nothing has been decided yet, there are some logical options to lo