Gausman exits after 4 1/3 innings with left hand cramp

CHICAGO – Kevin Gausman removed his glove and inspected his left hand, while Cubs manager Craig Counsell emerged from the dugout and made his way to the mound. It was the second time the veteran starter had to pause due to the issue and Counsell opted against pushing Gausman any further.

In the fifth inning on Tuesday night, Gausman’s outing against the White Sox ended earlier than planned due to trouble with his non-pitching hand. It became noticeable in the fourth inning, when the righty took off his glove and it was clear that he was having a problem trying to fully extend his thumb.

After that initial break, Gausman remained in the game and finished the frame with a strikeout of Sam Antonacci. One frame later, following an infield hit by Miguel Vargas, the Cubs pitcher again examined his hand, which appeared to be shaking. With his pitch count already up to 86 in the game, Gausman was pulled in favor of righty Javier Assad.

The Cubs announced that Gausman exited with a left hand cramp.

Gausman ended with three runs allowed on seven hits in his third start for the Cubs, who acquired him from the Blue Jays in exchange for a pair of prospects at the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. The righty surrendered one run in each of the second, third and fourth innings, including allowing a towering homer to Munetaka Murakami.

Gausman did rack up five strikeouts in his 4 1/3 innings, but it was clear that his left hand was becoming a persistent problem.

Through three turns for the Cubs’ rotation, the 35-year-old Gausman has turned in a 6.19 ERA with 16 strikeouts against four walks in 16 innings. He looked strong in his debut for the North Siders on Aug. 7, when he held the Royals to two runs over seven innings. Gausman then struggled in his next outing – charged with six runs in 4 2/3 frames on the road against the Nationals.

The Cubs picked up Gausman and righty Clay Holmes to add a pair of October-tested veterans to a rotation that already includes Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga. Lefty David Peterson, Colin Rea and Assad offer starting reserves currently in the bullpen. Righty Edward Cabrera landed back on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to a blister issue.