Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman is facing another setback as he deals with a right rib cartilage fracture. The exact timeline for his return remains uncertain. This is an unfortunate development for the Cubs as they strive for their first playoff appearance since 2020.

Manager David Ross expressed his disappointment, acknowledging Stroman’s significant role in the team’s success when he’s healthy. Despite the setback, Ross emphasized that the game continues to move forward.

Stroman had been expected to make a return from the injured list and start against the White Sox, but he experienced discomfort in his rib area after a bullpen session in Toronto. Subsequent medical evaluation, including an MRI, confirmed the cartilage fracture. The nature of the injury is atypical for a pitcher and adds to the uncertainty of his recovery.

The Cubs are taking a cautious approach, waiting for Stroman to be symptom-free before he resumes baseball activities. However, given the uniqueness of the injury, there is no specific timeline for his return. President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer expressed the challenge of predicting a timeline for recovery from such an uncommon pitching injury.

Stroman, 32, has been a key player for the Cubs with an impressive 2.28 ERA in his first 16 starts this year. However, he struggled in his most recent outings before his IL placement.

In Stroman’s absence, Javier Assad took the mound for the Cubs in the series finale against the White Sox, delivering a solid performance with six innings of three-run ball. The Cubs are considering rotation options like Drew Smyly and Hayden Wesneski while Stroman is sidelined.

Smyly, who had faced challenges with a high ERA in recent appearances, showed promise in his most recent outings, securing a win on Wednesday night. Despite the setback, Ross remains confident in the team’s overall talent, including their starting staff and bullpen, emphasizing that victory is possible on any given day.