Chicago Cubs Face Weather Delays and Roster Challenges

Friday’s game between the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field kicked off with a weather delay, as rain and lightning hovered over the area.

On the mound for the Cubs was Colin Rea, as the team aimed to continue their impressive 4-1 run at home. Sitting at the top of the National League Central, the Cubs hold a three-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.

In a pre-game announcement, the Cubs reported that Javier Assad is sidelined at Triple-A Iowa, suffering from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. This setback comes as Assad was a potential candidate to fill in for Justin Steele, who is out for the season due to left elbow surgery.

Although a timeline for Assad’s recovery hasn’t been established, the Cubs must brace for his extended absence and may need to search for additional pitching support. “You’re always on the lookout for starters,” noted manager Craig Counsell. “With another player out for now, we need to acknowledge that and see it as an opportunity for someone else to step up.”

Scheduled to throw before the game was closer Ryan Pressly; however, Counsell remained tight-lipped on his availability. Skipping media interactions, Pressly had undergone a right knee drainage on Wednesday, which sidelined him during the 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Porter Hodge secured the save in his place.

Counsell played down Pressly’s situation, noting, “It’s been a bit of a nuisance for some time now. Reaching a point where it needed addressing, he wanted to reduce the hassle. Quickly mitigating it will help him perform better daily,” he explained, adding, “At 37, as a relief pitcher, he’ll face challenges. It’s all about learning how to tackle them throughout the season.”