Cabrera (right middle finger blister) placed on IL; Wicks recalled

CHICAGO -- Edward Cabrera was scheduled to play catch and test things off a mound on Sunday morning at Wrigley Field. It soon became clear that the results did not match Cabrera’s recent optimism that he would not miss a start for the Cubs.

Prior to Sunday’s game against the Astros, Chicago placed Cabrera on the 15-day injured list – retroactive to Thursday – due to the right middle-finger blister that abruptly forced an end to his last start. The Cubs recalled left-hander Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa to fill the latest hole in a pitching staff beset with injury issues.

Following Shota Imanaga taking the ball for the North Siders on Sunday, the Cubs plan on having righty Ben Brown start on Monday in the opener of a four-game series in Pittsburgh. The rest of the rotation against the Pirates is currently listed as TBA. The Cubs will need a starter for Tuesday and Wicks would now be the leading candidate for that spot.

Based on the schedule, Jameson Taillon and Colin Rea would not be able to start until Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, at the earliest. The Cubs will likely hold off on officially announcing the rotation plans beyond Brown until Monday.

Cabrera exited his outing on Wednesday after one errant pitch to Joey Ortiz to open the fourth inning of the Cubs’ 5-0 loss to the Brewers. Both the wildness of the fastball and velocity (92.5 mph) made the pitch alarming and the righty was immediately pulled from the game. It was then revealed that he had been trying to pitch with the blister issue even prior to that start.

Asked about managing the issue and potentially making his next scheduled start, Cabrera said he was “not worried.” Clearly, the blister required more time to heal, considering the Cubs opted for the move to the IL. Cabrera will not be eligible to return until June 5 at the earliest against the Giants at home.

On the season, the 28-year-old Cabrera has a 4.00 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54 innings (10 starts).

The Cubs are also currently without lefty Matthew Boyd, who is on the 15-day IL after undergoing left knee surgery on May 7. Boyd simulated multiple innings off a mound on Friday and is slated to face hitters in a live BP session at some point during the upcoming series in Pittsburgh. Boyd also needs to continue building through a running program.

Beyond Boyd, Chicago is without Cade Horton (right elbow surgery) for the rest of this season and may not see Justin Steele (left flexor strain) until the second half. Steele is scheduled for a check-up with Dr. Keith Meister next week and will need clearance before resuming his throwing program.