LOS ANGELES—Eleven o’clock on a Sunday morning, and Cubs catcher Carson Kelly’s attention was drawn to the small group of reporters clustered around Cubs PR man John Steinmiller in a clubhouse doorway, scribbling notes as he spoke.“What’s going on?’’’ he asked. “Everybody good?’’“Roster moves,’’ Steinmiller replied, then recited his list for Kelly’s benefit: Reliever Riley Martin, to the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation; reliever Vince Velasquez, designated for assignment; relievers Charlie Barnes and Yacksel Rios added from Iowa.Kelly’s eyes widened during Steinmiller’s recitation.“Good with that?’’ someone asked.“No,’’ Kelly said with exaggerated dismay. “Where’s our pitching coach? Gotta go talk to him.’’Welcome to another spin of the Cubs’ Wheel of Pitching Misfortune, a seemingly daily occurrence in which another Cubs pitcher is hurt and President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer is forced to scramble for reinforcements.Martin becomes the 11th pitcher since the start of spring training to go on the injured list, the seventh since the regular season began.Just in the last 10 days, Hoyer has made a staggering 19 roster moves. Velasquez’s DFA was to make room on the 40-man roster for Rios.In the meantime, manager Craig Counsell has been forced to hold together the Cubs’ bullpen with baling wire, Scotch tape and paper clips. Friday night against the Dodgers, he was down to three healthy and rested relievers.Sunday, Counsell used Hoby Milner, who gave up an opposite-field home run to Shohei Ohtani in the seventh for the Dodgers’ final run in their 6-0 win, and Rios, who…
Want more insights? Join Grow With Caliber - our career elevating newsletter and get our take on the future of work delivered weekly.
