The Cubs did just about everything right in the win last night over the Rays, and that’ll give them a chance to take the series tonight (and get back to .500, despite what has felt like a much worse start to the season). Lots to say about Javier Assad’s return to the rotation and a few of the other bright spots from the game, and we’ll get into that soon.
Until then, the other bullets …
“So, are the Cubs battered early? Most definitely. They’re one of the most injured teams in baseball at the moment, with four good players already on the shelf. But they’re not fried yet. They’re not that far behind in the standings. They had a metric ton of replacements available, and they still have a few options even now. The solution to their injury problems right now is essentially ‘their 2025 rotation’ – Assad, Rea, and Brown combined for 49 starts last year – and that team won 92 games and made the playoffs. I think this is a happy situation, even though it looks sad on its face. Every team deals with injury at one point or another. The Cubs are strikingly well set up to get through theirs.”
The Cubs do have impressive depth on both sides of the ball to weather injuries, though I will note that the 2025 rotation not only had Cade Horton, it had a Cade Horton that almost won Rookie of the Year. Replacing that internally with the depth is not realistic; best you can do on that front is hope that Justin Steele returns as an ace immediately (quite rare for a surgery return) and/or that Jaxon Wiggins becomes this year’s Horton (an unfair expectation). I know other orgs deal with serious arm injuries to critical pitchers. It’s just part of the game, and it’s an organization’s job to persevere with replacements. But seeing Justin Steele and Cade Horton lost in successive years for the Cubs, that’s some especially hard luck. Now baseball absolutely must avoid a long labor fight because I refuse to go two years without seeing Cade Horton pitch. PCA making a kid’s year in St. Pete:Pete saw this kid whose sign reads “White boy got motion” and ran up to take a photo with him. It left the young boy in tears ?? #Cubs @ScottyChags @WatchMarquee pic.twitter.com/kfckYaOZYh
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) April 8, 2026 This Ian Happ catch the other day was impressive as is just on the visual, but this confirms it was all the more impressive by the slim likelihood of success:Catch of the Day- By the Numbers (4/6)Ian Happ 15% catch probability on this ball. Happ makes the good read, takes the direct route, and finishes with a nice diving grab. 47 feet covered in 3.3 seconds of opportunity time. pic.twitter.com/DVIv1N6CkB
— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) April 7, 2026 Oof. Remember how new Blue Jays pitcher Cody Ponce hurt his knee immediately after the season started? Turns out he needs ACL surgery and is likely out for the season. He got paid, at least, but a bummer of a scenario for a guy who had to go to Asia, worked to get better, and then made his way back to MLB. The Blue Jays have also lost star catcher Alejandro Kirk to a broken thumb, infielder Addison Barger to an ankle sprain, and several other pitchers to various ailments over the last month. The Cubs have had it rough with injuries in the early going, but the Blue Jays probably have the crown for now. I laughed:Suzyn Waldman: “Uh…Jazz is challenging the pitch…..”Ump: “The pitch is a strike, the Yankees are out of challenges.”Suzyn: “Ok thats…Jazz is not good at this.” pic.twitter.com/J6pxWPTyBE
— That’s Baseball, Suzyn (@thats_bb_suzyn) April 8, 2026 Looks big and good, but are you seriously wanting to eat this thing at a ballgame:The Atlanta Braves have put together this seven-inch burger called "The Bat Flip" ?This creation features two pounds of seasoned beef patties, braised short rib, crispy pork belly, melted cheese, crunchy onions, green leaf lettuce, sliced red tomatoes, and a fried egg all… pic.twitter.com/hh3B3hUuwM
— MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2026 Speaking of eating things, I agree with Caitlin Clark:Would love to be the taste tester t.co/LqmnUnqr6I
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 7, 2026 Another reminder of how the current international system incentivizes truly terrible behavior by adults:On a young Dominican boy who died after allegedly being pumped with anabolic steroids, a family desperate for answers, and a notion that, to many, has become a reality: MLB’s international system is broken. t.co/N9eKuHcRpU
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 7, 2026 The Pirates today made the 9-year, $140 million extension for Konnor Griffin officially official. Incredibly, he’ll still only be 28 when the deal expires. Speaking of (former) NL Central super-prospects, it’s possible Jordan Walker is finally figuring things out:Jordan Walker is ON FIRE! ?His fourth home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/Muytoy8wCW
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 8, 2026 MORE CUBS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN NewsletterHence then, the article about get those bats going conforto pca injuries aplenty and other cubs bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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