Nick Madrigal Sustains Hand Fractur

Cubs infielder suffered a fracture in his left hand while playing for Triple-A Iowa, reports Tommy Birch ( Vince Carter Jersey ). The former #4 overall pick was hit by a pitch last night. Madrigal just got to Iowa over the weekend. The Cubs optioned the struggling infielder when they called up on Sunday. Yesterdays game was his first since the optional a signment. Its not clear how long hell be out of action, but that obviously takes him out of consideration to be called back up in the short term. Its the latest setback in a difficult season for Chicagos Opening Day third baseman. In 94 plate appearances, Madrigal collected just three extra-base hits (all doubles). He had a .221/.280/.256 batting line that allowed to jump him on the third base depth chart. Morel has had an inconsistent season himself. He entered tonights game with a .203/.313/.387 slash over 252 plate appearances. Morel has hit for power he connected on his 12th homer of the season this evening but he continues to struggle on the defensive side. The Cubs have given him a personal-high 376 innings at third base. Both Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast have graded him eight runs below average with the glove. Third base was an area the front office could look to upgrade at the deadline regardle s of Madrigals health status. The injury is neverthele s a hit to Chicagos infield depth and another impediment for the 27-year-old as he tries to establish himself as an everyday player. Madrigal has yet to show that his contact-oriented approach provides enough of a ceiling to be a regular. Thats particularly true on a team that already has at second base, which forced the Oregon State product to the left side of the infield. Madrigal has appeared in 202 games since the Cubs acquired him from the White Sox in the 2021 deal. He carries a .251/.304/.312 line in 616 plate appearances. Hes playing this season on a $1.81MM arbitration salary. The Cubs control Madrigal for another two years, but he could be trending towards a non-tender next offseason. Marc Gasol Jersey