Cubs’ injury crisis: Thielbar eighth pitcher on IL in April

The Chicago Cubs are dealing with a tough week—injuries stacking up, roster moves happening at lightning speed, and a heated debate swirling around MLB’s 13-pitcher limit. Toss in a high-profile rule about Shohei Ohtani, and you’ve got a team juggling a lot as they chase wins in a packed NL race.

Injury toll and rapid roster moves

bullpen/”>Caleb Thielbar hit the injured list with a mild left hamstring strain after shutting things down in the ninth inning of Thursday’s wild 8-7 win over the Phillies. He’d posted a 2.64 ERA in 67 games last season and a 3.12 in 11 outings this year, so missing him late in games stings.

He’s now the eighth Cubs pitcher to land on the IL just in April. This pitching staff is getting tested, no doubt about it.

To fill the gap, the Cubs called up right-hander Vince Velasquez from Triple-A. They also added some infield depth by selecting Nicky Lopez to the big league roster, and they designated Scott Kingery for assignment.

These moves show a club scrambling to balance immediate needs with the long game. Injuries keep piling up, and the 13-pitcher limit just makes it trickier.

• Caleb Thielbar to IL with mild left hamstring strain
• Vince Velasquez recalled from Triple-A
• Nicky Lopez selected to the 40-man roster
• Scott Kingery designated for assignment

Manager Craig Counsell hasn’t sugarcoated the strain all these early injuries are putting on his team. He’s pointed right at the 13-pitcher limit and broader league rules, saying they’re making things even tougher for the Cubs right now.

The 13-pitcher limit and the Ohtani exception dominate the debate

Counsell took aim at the MLB rule that lets Shohei Ohtani act as an extra pitcher in the lineup. He called it “the most bizarre rule” and argued it just gives one team a leg up. According to Counsell, the 13-pitcher limit favors offense, but the Ohtani exception throws off the balance and makes things unfair for teams stretched thin by injuries.

On the other side, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pushed back. He figured Counsell didn’t mean any harm and said this isn’t a Dodgers-specific issue. Roberts pointed out that the Ohtani rule dates back to his Angels days, so it’s really just about Ohtani, not a loophole for the Dodgers. This back-and-forth just highlights the bigger question: how does baseball handle a two-way star when pitching staffs are already so specialized?

The Cubs’ 40-man roster tells the story: 10 of 26 pitchers are on the IL. That includes starters Cade Horton and Justin Steele, plus relievers like Daniel Palencia, Phil Maton, and Shelby Miller. The depth chart is stretched to the breaking point, and every decision now could have ripple effects for weeks.

Rally despite the obstacles: where the Cubs stand

Even with all the roster chaos, Chicago pulled off a 6-4 win over the Dodgers on Friday night. It was a gutsy, unpredictable game—one where the bullpen had to step up, and somehow, they did.

If you’re a Cubs fan, you’re seeing a team grinding through a rough patch. Velasquez gives them a short-term arm, Lopez brings a versatile righty bat and glove, but honestly, the real test is how this bullpen holds together while Thielbar and the others try to get healthy. The next few days will be interesting as more moves and call-ups are almost certain.

What this means for the Cubs going forward

The Cubs’ injury situation will shape whether they add or shed roster depth as the season rolls on. Chicago faces a tough balancing act—chasing wins while dealing with a pitching staff that’s already seen several veterans land on the injured list.

They’ll probably keep tinkering with the roster and might give a few farm system arms a shot. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bullpen keeps getting shuffled and the rotation stays in flux, especially with April’s brutal schedule and all the noise around those new league rules.

 
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