Cubs to send ailing Lackey, Rondon to DL
The Chicago Cubs will be without two of their most important arms for the next couple weeks, as the club will place right-hander John Lackey and reliever Hector Rondon on the 15-day disabled list, according to multiple reports.
Though Lackey said he hoped to make his next start after experiencing shoulder stiffness in Sunday's outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, it appears the club has decided to give the 37-year-old some extra time to recuperate.
Lackey, who owns a 3.41 ERA and sits eighth in the majors with 158 1/3 innings pitched this season, is eligible to return Aug. 30.
"Nothing crazy," Lackey told reporters after being lifted 6 2/3 innings into Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Cardinals, having allowed just one unearned run on four hits and one walk.
"Trust me, I've been out there feeling a lot worse. I'll be all right. It was pretty tight and I feel like I probably could have gotten through that last hitter, but Joe wanted to stay on the cautious side and let the trainers take care of me."
Rondon, meanwhile, has been a limited participant of late due to triceps soreness, going 12 straight days without pitching before making an uninspired return to the mound Sunday at Wrigley Field, where the 28-year-old allowed four runs and recorded just one out.
Despite throwing a clean inning two days later as part of Chicago's doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, Rondon still appears to be dealing with discomfort.
Through 45 appearances in 2016, Rondon boasts a 2.47 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP, holding opponents to a .188 average while managing a 31.1 percent strikeout rate in 43 2/3 innings.