MINNEAPOLIS -- The Cubs would love nothing more than to have the version of Porter Hodge that emerged last season as a late-inning weapon for the bullpen. Getting the young right-hander back to that point remains an ongoing project, given another injury setback.
Prior to Wednesday’s game against the Twins, the Cubs placed Hodge on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement. Manager Craig Counsell did not believe the injury was serious and expected that Hodge might be able to resume throwing as soon as this weekend, while the Cubs are in New York to face the Yankees.
“After just talking to Porter and kind of digging into some of our stuff that we track,” Counsell said, “we just don’t think he’s 100 percent right. I don’t think this is a big injury. … This is something that we don’t think it’s the right time for Porter to try to push through it, so we’re going to take a little break here.”
The Cubs recalled righty Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa to take Hodge’s place in the bullpen.
Chicago made the decision to place the 24-year-old Hodge on the IL after he allowed six runs -- five via three homers -- in the eighth inning of an 8-1 loss to the Twins on Tuesday night. That showing pushed Hodge’s ERA up to 6.85 in 26 games this season, though it is worth noting that 12 of the 18 earned runs he has allowed have come in just two rough outings (one total inning).
Hodge broke into the big leagues last season and turned in a 1.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts against 19 walks in 43 innings, picking up nine saves while helping shore up the back-end of the bullpen.
This season, the righty has been slowed by an assortment of health setbacks, including a left oblique strain and left hip impingement that kept him out for roughly a month between May and June. Hodge has also seen his average fastball velocity drop to 94.9 mph in July from 95.0 in June and 96.4 in May.
Counsell was asked if the drop in velocity was more related to the shoulder issue or potentially a mechanical problem in his delivery.
“Another good question,” Counsell said. “That’s why we’re pressing stop. I think the goal is to now strengthen the shoulder and see if that brings those things back.”