Cubs encouraged by Cabrera's progress as he rehabs left leg injury

CHICAGO -- As the All-Star break approaches, Cubs starter Edward Cabrera has continued to make progress in his comeback from the left leg injury that sidelined him last month.

This past weekend, Cabrera increased the intensity in his throwing program and was able to do some agility work in the outfield on Sunday at Wrigley Field, testing the left hamstring and adductor he strained on June 23 against the Mets. Combined with Jameson Taillon making a rehab start on Sunday, the Cubs are relieved to have some positive news on the injury front.

“It’s a good sign,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Sunday’s 6-4 win over the Cardinals. “The fact that Jamo’s pitching … is a really good sign for us. Just getting healthy guys. Cabby had a really good day today -- it was an important day, too. So, there’s some good signs on that front.”

In terms of comeback timelines, Taillon is closer to rejoining the North Siders.

Taillon (15-day injured list, left hamstring) logged 45 pitches in 3 1/3 innings in a rehab outing with High-A South Bend on Sunday. The Cubs will now discuss whether to reintroduce the big right-hander back into the rotation mix with an abbreviated start prior to the All-Star break, or whether it makes more sense to delay his return until after the season’s intermission.

For Cabrera (15-day IL), Counsell noted earlier this week that the goal is to hopefully have him able to test things out with a bullpen session before the All-Star break. From there, the righty would have to go through the usual build from bullpens to live batting practice before likely heading out on a Minor League rehab assignment to ramp up the game intensity and workload.

The Cubs acquired the 28-year-old Cabrera from the Marlins over the winter in exchange for a three-prospect package headlined by outfielder Owen Caissie, but Chicago has yet to untap the pitcher’s full potential. Cabrera had a 3.06 ERA through his first six outings, but then posted a 7.05 ERA through May and June (eight starts), while also missing time due to a blister on his right middle finger.

Ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, the Cubs will be weighing the injury comebacks against the potential need for starting pitching. They are also without righty Ben Brown (15-day IL, stress reaction in his neck), lefty Justin Steele (60-day IL, left elbow) and Cade Horton (60-day IL, right elbow). Horton is done for the year, while the timetables for Brown and Steele are uncertain.

Chicago already swung a trade with the Mets to bring lefty David Peterson into the fold, adding him to a rotation that currently features Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea and Javier Assad. As the Cubs continue to try to gain ground on the Brewers in the National League, or chase down a Wild Card spot, good news on Cabrera and Taillon is important.