Encouraging Marcus Stroman Update from Arizona

Sure, Marcus Stroman was brutal in his last seven or so starts before he ended up on the injured list, but there’s no denying that if he can come back healthy later in September then he can strengthen the Cubs starting rotation. The latest is certainly an encouraging update on Stroman, who returned to throwing in Arizona on Monday.

Stroman reportedly threw 35 pitches in a bullpen side session at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. Although the right-handed pitcher didn’t face any batters, the exercise proved to be a great first step in Stroman’s return.

Via The Cub Reporter.

“Looked to be throwing free & easy. About half a dozen Cubs coaches & staff were watching from near the mound, with cameras placed all around the mound and behind home plate. Lots of high fives and fist pumps after he finished.”

Fantastic.

Stroman last pitched at the end of July, and was lit up by the Cincinnati Reds, allowing six runs on six hits in three innings. That capped off a stretch in which the veteran righty gave up 30 earned runs in 30 innings in a span of seven starts from June 25 through July 31.

The Cubs placed Stroman on the injured list because of inflammation in his right hip and at the time the team believed he would miss the minimal 15 days sidelined. Stroman did receive a cortisone shot for the injury, but then a few days before his scheduled return against the White Sox, the Cubs discovered a rib fracture inside the pitcher.

Stroman was shutdown and neither he nor the team had a timetable for his come back. However, seeing that he’s back on the mound after only a couple of weeks of rest is definitely a great sign for Stroman.

Again, maybe some Cubs fans are scoffing at the idea that Stroman can be good again because of his last impression, but that has to be because of recency bias. Stroman hasn’t just been good when healthy, he has been great.

Last year, Stroman returned to the Cubs on July 9, after missing time because of a shoulder injury. From then through June 20 of this season, he made 32 starts and recorded a 2.42 ERA in 190 innings. That stretch included his first 16 starts of the 2023 season, in which Stroman had a 2.28 ERA in 98.2 innings.

Even if he doesn’t necessarily get back to those numbers, at this point who would you rather start for the Cubs down the stretch, Marcus Stroman or James Taillon? Let’s hope that a healthy Stroman does return in a few weeks because I have a feeling that if he does, then the Cubs will be feeling a lot better about their pitching staff heading into October.