Cubs victory not without injuries
By Tony Rusch
 |
| source |
In the top half of the seventh inning, pitcher Matt Guerrier, outfielder Thomas Neal, and catcher Dioner Navarro were the recipients of game-ending injuries. This morning, Neal was placed on the 15-day disabled list and Guerrier was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Navarro, who was removed by a medical cart after a collision at the plate with Phillie's Chase Utley, is listed as day-to-day, but might see a DL stint if his right ankle does not heal properly.
Guerrier injured his elbow while pitching to Utley and was removed later that inning after a discussion with Cubs skipper Dale Sveum. The Cubs have been no stranger to injuries this year, but the loss of Guerrier significantly weakens a Chicago bullpen that has been sub-par this season, to say the least. The Cubs will now have to find a strong relief pitcher who will be able to swallow up outs in the seventh and eight innings before closer Kevin Gregg can take the mound.
Neal dislocated his shoulder while attempting to throw out John Mayberry Jr., who was speeding in towards second base. Despite the loss of Neal, who was claimed off waivers from the Yankees on Monday, the Cubs outfield should have no problem working around the injury. He will most likely be replaced by Cole Gillespie, Nate Schierholtz, or David DeJesus, all of which are batting above .270.
In response to Navarro's injury, the Cubs gave the nod to catcher J.C. Boscan from Triple-A Iowa, who will share time with Wellington Castillo behind the plate. Navarro, who is batting .284 with nine home runs, underwent tests last night that came back negative for fractures in his ankle. While Castillo and Boscan fill the void in Navarro's absence, neither can match Navarro's power from both sides of the plate, making his return to the lineup a top priority for the club's medical staff.
