Javier Assad Experiencing Oblique Soreness, Brandon Birdsell Has Shoulder Issue

Just one day into camp and already the Cubs are dealing with injuries to at least two pitchers. That’s par for the course, as the recent study on pitcher injuries showed the highest risk came during spring training, but it’s never good to have multiple guys on the shelf before things even get started. Craig Counsell told reporters in Mesa that Javier Assad will have an MRI on a strained oblique that started bothering him after a workout. Righty Brandon Birdsell, a non-roster invitee, is dealing with an issue in the back of his right shoulder.

Folks, this is why pitching depth matters. Even if you didn’t want to see Assad in the rotation, having him out of action so early makes things a bit more shallow and could force the Cubs to turn to Colin Rea for more innings. Maybe that’s a good thing, but I’d much prefer they had someone with a little more gas who can miss bats. As for Birdsell, we’re talking about someone who could give them a spot-start here and there. At the very least, he’d be a regular in Iowa’s rotation.

The other factor here is that the Cubs are starting their season almost two weeks earlier than usual, at a point when pitchers won’t be fully ramped up. That may mean going with more of a piggyback strategy in Tokyo, something pitching coach Tommy Hottovy mentioned on Monday. As cool as it is to have the Cubs participating in this global showcase, I can’t say I like the idea of them possibly going with a spring-type setup that sees them having multiple starters throw just three innings or so.

Alas, we’ll have to wait another five weeks to see how that all plays out.

Update: Counsell said Tuesday that it’s a mild oblique strain for Assad, who should not miss to many days of throwing. Regardless of his timeline, I’d prefer to see Ben Brown given a chance to pitch as part of the starting rotation.