Cubs Place Nick Madrigal on IL to Accommodate Caleb Kilian Because of Course They Do

The Cubs have officially recalled right-handed pitcher Caleb Kilian from Triple-A Iowa to start Wednesday against the Padres. In order to make room on the active roster, they have placed infielder Nick Madrigal on the 10-day IL retroactive to June 12 with a left groin strain.

I said I’d have some stern words for the Cubs if this was indeed the move, so here goes: This is just the dumbest shit possible. I don’t mean simply placing Madrigal on the IL, I mean waiting five days to do it and playing a man down in the meantime. That’s been a hallmark of this organization for a while now and it remains maddening.

The other frustrating aspect about it is that Madrigal probably shouldn’t have a roster spot right know even if healthy. He’s batting .222 with three doubles and two RBI in 31 games this season and his total lack of power has outfields playing him like the last batter on a 10U rec team. Seriously, they’re hardly deeper than a rover in a shift. A little time at Iowa might help him to get right.

This isn’t even about the Cubs trying to field a more competitive team, which they clearly aren’t doing from an organizational standpoint. With the focus clearly on 2023 and beyond, it’s foolish not to give a little more run to some guys in the minors to see what they can do. The same could be said about another roster spot, but that ship has sailed.

The Cubs are just so exhausting right now.