Jackson lands on DL; Cubs to 'assess and evaulate'
After another rocky outing by right-hander Edwin Jackson in Wednesday night's 8-3 loss to the Giants, Cubs manager Rick Renteria said the club would “assess and evaluate” Jackson's situation.
That initial assessment and evaluation Thursday landed Jackson on the 15-day disabled list with what the Cubs termed a strained right lat.
“It's been the last few starts, something you try to work through,” Jackson said. “Obviously, it hasn't worked out for me. I just feel it's in the best interest of myself and the team, as well, to not try to fight through it anymore before something major happens.”
It's been another rough season for Jackson, who turns 31 on Sept. 9. He is 6-14 with a 6.09 ERA. Last year, he led the National League in losses with a record of 8-18 and a 4.98 ERA. This is the second season of his four-year, $52 million contract.
“I've never been one to make any excuses,” he said. “I've never said anything to anyone about anything. You have a job to do. Once you choose to take the field, you choose to handle anything that comes with it. That's been pretty much the approach I've taken.
“Clearly, I know I haven't been out there pitching like I know I could. I haven't really made any complaints about anything or anything about my body because as a professional you go out there and you don't go by any excuses. You battle, you battle, you battle and it comes to a point where you just have to suck that pride in and do what's best for yourself and the team.”
He added that he hopes to be back by September and that he feels better days are ahead.
“I don't think I've proven to the fans or the organization of Chicago what I can do what I'm capable of doing,” he said. “I still feel I have a lot to prove to the organization and I still have a lot to prove to the fans of Chicago. I still feel like I owe them a lot, being paid a lucrative contract, that I still owe a lot to the team.”
Castro to bereavement list:
The Cubs officially placed shortstop Starlin Castro on the bereavement list. Castro has gone to the Dominican Republic after a family member and three friends were killed in a car accident.
A player on the bereavement list is out for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven.
To replace Castro, the Cubs recalled infielder-outfielder Logan Watkins from Class AAA Iowa. Watkins played in 27 games for the Cubs last year. They also recalled left-handed reliever Zac Rosscup from Iowa to replace Edwin Jackson on the roster.
Arrieta eager for Orioles:
Right-hander Jake Arrieta came to the Cubs from Baltimore last year in a trade, and he'll make his first appearance against the Orioles Friday as the teams begin an interleague series.
“It's going to be fun,” Arrieta said. “It's going to be exciting to face guys I played with for a long time to now be on the other side. It's one of those things where I know they're going to come out and compete as best as they possibly can, and I'm sure they expect the same from me.”