Another Cubs Reliever Has Been Ruled Out For Opening Day

The Cubs made an intriguing addition this offseason, signing 35-year-old right-handed reliever Tony Barnette. He pitched three years for the Rangers (2016-18) posting a 2.09 ERA in 2016 and a 2.39 ERA last year. However, he has been dealing with a shoulder issue and after testing it out on Saturday the Cubs have officially ruled him out for Opening Day.

So, you can add Barnette to the list of Cubs relievers who have been ruled out for the start of the season. Brandon Morrow will miss the first month of the year, as he recovers from elbow surgery. Left-hander Xaiver Cedeno has also been ruled out because of a wrist injury.

Per Maddon, Barnette (who did throw today to test his ailing right shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day. Add him to Xavier Cedeno (left wrist/has resumed throwing) and Morrow (right elbow/bullpen coming Monday) as season-opening IL guys.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 16, 2019

The Cubs are also hopeful that Pedro Strop will be ready to go for Opening Day, despite currently being shut down because of a mild strain in his right hamstring. Strop suffered the injury a week ago.

Maddon said Strop (right hamstring) is doing well. Cubs are hopeful about getting him in a game before camp breaks. He has not been ruled out for Opening Day.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 16, 2019

And with Theo Epstein saying that he doesn’t expect any significant additions to help out the bullpen, Cubs fans are probably going to see a few prospects play big roles throughout the season.

Despite not having an elite minor league system, the Cubs do have plenty of pitching depth down on the farm. We’ll see if the last few years of development has paid off.