Cubs add 2-time All-Star Julio Teheran ahead of series vs. Diamondbacks

If immediately assigned to the majors, Julio Teheran joins a Cubs team who are still missing the services of All-Star Justin Steele and right-hander Jameson Taillon. Steele suffered a hamstring injury during the Cubs’ opening-day game and is likely to be sidelined until May. Taillon, on the other hand, is expected to return from a back injury in the near future. Presently, the righty is already undergoing rehab starts with the Iowa Cubs.

Without Steele and Taillon, the remaining names on the rotation are Kyle Hendricks, Jordan Wicks, Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, and Ben Brown.

Imanaga has been a revelation so far. In his third career start against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, the rookie garnered his second win while striking out four batters. Presently, Imanaga has a flawless ERA of 0.00 in 15.1 innings pitched. Assad has been holding his own as well (1-0, 1.64 ERA in 11 innings pitched) but the same can’t be said for some of the other starters.

Can the Cubs end the dry spell?

With all that being said, Chicago will still need a fully healthy rotation for a chance at ending their playoff drought.

It’s been some time since the Cubs made the postseason. They were on the verge of an appearance last year until a sub-par September ended their season early. Entering this year’s campaign, Chicago started strong, much to the surprise of many. After falling in their first two games, the Cubs piled up the wins , holding a 6-3 record at one point. They even took home two out of three in their series against powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. Although the momentum has slid down a bit in the last six games (3-3), Chicago has shown the ability to elevate their play to a higher level.

Their campaign has only begun, so it’s too early for a prediction. But once Steele and Taillon are good to go, it will be interesting to see what the Cubs can achieve this season.