Cubs reliever Heuer has Tommy John surgery, out for season

When the Cubs traded all-star closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox last July, they knew one of the pieces coming back was damaged goods.

That was second baseman Nick Madrigal, who tore his right hamstring running to first base in June and had season-ending surgery.

Madrigal will be ready to go when baseball's lockout ends. Codi Heuer will not.

The relief pitcher with closer potential also joined the Cubs in the Kimbrel deal, but Heuer is going to miss the upcoming season after having Tommy John surgery.

"Horses don't stop, they keep going!" Heuer posted on his Instagram account Tuesday morning while laying in a hospital bed. "Can't wait to be back with the best fans in baseball again!"

The 25-year-old righty pitched in 25 games with the Cubs last year and was 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 2 saves. In 40 games with the Sox before the trade, Heuer was 4-1 with a 5.12 ERA.

Born in Montana, Heuer broke into the major leagues with the White Sox in 2020 and went 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA over 21 games.

When baseball returns the Sox are likely to trade Kimbrel, who was 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA and 1 save in 24 games while primarily setting up Liam Hendriks.

In 39 games with the Cubs before shifting to the South Side, Kimbrel was 2-3 with a 0.49 ERA and 23 saves.