Chatwood to return to IL, no timetable set

CHICAGO -- The Cubs are holding out optimism that Tyler Chatwood will have a chance to pitch again for them this season. That is the good news. The reality is that Chicago does not know just how long the right-hander will be sidelined with his latest injury.

On Monday, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer noted that an MRI on Chatwood's right elbow revealed a flexor pronator strain, adding that there is no timetable for the pitcher's return. Chatwood will be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

"Every expectation is that he's going to be on the injured list," Hoyer said. "And he's going to be a little while. ... He'll take some time now and we're certainly hopeful that he's back this year, I'll say that."

Hoyer said the team would have more information on the specifics of Chatwood's situation on Tuesday.

Chatwood, who opened the season as the Cubs' No. 3 starter, exited Sunday's 10-1 win over the Reds in the third inning after pain flared in his elbow on a pitch to Joey Votto. That setback came after Chatwood returned from the 10-day IL on Aug. 25, following a bout with a mid-back strain.

On the season, Chatwood has gone 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA in five starts, in which he has compiled 25 strikeouts and nine walks in 18 2/3 innings. With Chatwood sidelined, the expectation is that José Quintana will move back into the rotation, following a pair of three-inning relief outings after coming off the 10-day IL (left thumb).

Rotation help not on Deadline to-do list
Hoyer noted that the injury to Chatwood did not send the Cubs on a hunt for starting pitching help prior to Monday's Trade Deadline. Behind Quintana, Chicago has rotation options in Adbert Alzolay, Colin Rea and Tyson Miller.

"I think the starting pitching market was a tough market to be fishing in," Hoyer said. "Not a lot of starters got moved. We really focused as much as we could on those two areas, which was right-handed bats and left-handed arms."

The Cubs addressed those needs with the trade acquisitions of outfielders José Martínez (via the Rays) and Cameron Maybin (via the Tigers), and lefty relievers Josh Osich (via the Red Sox) and Andrew Chafin (via the D-backs).

Hoyer said keeping Quintana in the bullpen to help tackle the need for lefty relief help never reached the point of being a serious consideration.

"Q's a starting pitcher and a very good one," Hoyer said. "As far as a move like that, we never really talked about it."

Bryant, Souza coming soon?
Third baseman Kris Bryant (left wrist/finger) and Steven Souza Jr. (right hamstring) have been taking at-bats in recent days between workouts at Wrigley Field and the team's South Bend (Ind.) alternate training site. Hoyer said one or both players could be back "fairly soon" for the Cubs.

Hoyer declined to say whether Bryant and/or Souza would be ready to join the team in Pittsburgh as early as Tuesday.

"I don't want to make any announcements," Hoyer said. "But I don't think that's out of the picture for either guy. I think they've come along nicely."