If Kevin Gregg was angling to stay with the Cubs after this season, he is the only person catching a break today.
The
Cubs announced today that Kyuji Fujikawa, the $9.5 million closer
signed through 2015, will undergo Tommy John surgery. This means
Fujikawa will be out for the rest of this season and probably all of
2014. Fujikawa was signed in a two-year deal because Carlos Marmol's
large contract expires at the end of 2013.
With Scott
Baker, Shawn Camp, and Arodys Vizcaino already on the disabled list
(with Baker and Vizacaino listed on the 60 day DL), the Cubs current
pitching staff has very little parts for next year.
The
current bullpen is Alex Burnett, a waiver claim; Rafael Dolis, an up
and down AAA reliever; Carlos Marmol, who playing out his contract;
Kevin Gregg, a released free agent pick up; Hector Rondon, a Rule 5
player that has to be kept on the full season roster; James Russell, who
is on pace to meet Camp's wear and tear 80 game appearance mark; and
Carlos Villanueva, a good starter who was put into long relief when Matt
Garza returned to the roster.
Prior to today, the only bullpen pitchers who would be a lock to return next year would have been Russell and Villanueva (with Rondon being assigned to AA). Now with no closer set for next year, Gregg becomes an immediate candidate.
