Flaherty Day-to-Day, Rojas Set for Surgery After Series

Flaherty’s Hamstring Tightness, Rojas Set for Surgery After Series

After an encouraging start to the season, the Chicago Cubs have been hit with a pair of injury blows, as starting pitcher Justin Flaherty is now day-to-day with hamstring tightness and catcher Yan Gomes is set to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Flaherty’s Hamstring Tightness

Flaherty exited his start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday after just two innings due to hamstring tightness, with the Cubs later announcing that he would be placed on the 10-day injured list. The right-hander had been one of Chicago’s most consistent starters this season, posting a 3.68 ERA in 10 starts.

There is no timetable for Flaherty’s return, but the Cubs are hopeful that he will be able to miss just one start. The team will likely recall a pitcher from Triple-A Iowa to take Flaherty’s spot in the rotation for the time being.

Rojas Set for Surgery

Gomes suffered his injury while attempting to field a bunt in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game. The veteran catcher was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee and will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

The loss of Gomes is a big blow to the Cubs, as he was one of their most productive hitters and a key part of their pitching staff. Gomes was hitting .274 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 36 games this season.

The Cubs are expected to call up catcher P.J. Higgins from Triple-A Iowa to take Gomes’ spot on the roster. Higgins has been one of the top hitting prospects in the Cubs’ system and will get a chance to show what he can do at the major league level.