The Chicago Cubs have placed pitcher Matt Garza on the 60-day DL, ending his 2012 season. (Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE)
He’s not going to be traded, but he’s not going to be pitching anymore either. The Chicago Cubs have placed starter Matt Garza on the 60-day DL, ending his 2012 season in August.
Garza hasn’t pitched since July 21st, a start which saw him leave early with soreness in his pitching elbow. He finishes the year with a 5-7 record and a 3.91 ERA.
Ever since the season started, Garza has been in the middle of trade rumors as the Cubs are int he middle of fire sale, preparing to rebuild for the future with new management, new ownership and a new GM. Instead of being the centerpiece of a trade, Garza struggled through the 2012 season and by the time the trade deadline was reached Garza had decreased in value so much that he was more valuable to the Cubs if he stayed on roster.
When he was injured, Garza was initially placed on the 15-day DL, but was moved to the 60-day DL to make roster room for reliever Alex Hinshaw as the Cubs continue to try out their farm system at the major league level in an effort to get a glimpse of the future.
And that’s a future that might include Garza headlining the rotation. A free agent after this season ends, Garza hasn’t done a lot to get his salary back up to the $9.5 million he got from Chicago this past season. There was mild interest in Garza at the deadline but no trades were made. Neither Garza nor the Cubs will know where the pitcher lands net season, but all that is known now is that Matt Garza’s 2012 season is over.
