Sources: Cubs reliever Codi Heuer will miss entire 2022 season after Tommy John surgery

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: Codi Heuer #12 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 08, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 4-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: Codi Heuer #12 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on September 08, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Reds 4-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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The bad news keeps piling up in Wrigleyville, as a key trade acquisition as part of the Chicago Cubs fire sale is going to be lost for at least a season. 

It’s a tough time to be a baseball fan, especially for ones on the North Side of Chicago.

Last year’s trade deadline was a mass exodus of epic proportions, as the Chicago Cubs fire sale claimed every monumental figure within the clubhouse and the core members of the team’s World Series-winning team.

Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez were all jettisoned at the deadline with the promise that the returning pieces would help usher in a new era of dominance for the Cubs. That promise is already looking rather empty, as a key trade asset acquired at the deadline is already out.

Chicago Cubs reliever Codi Heuer underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Tuesday and is out for the 2022 season, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Heuer indicated on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca2Yf7wO-Je/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Heuer, 25, was acquired along with Nick Madrigal last season in a midseason trade that sent reliever Craig Kimbrel to the Chicago White Sox. Heuer is a hard-throwing, high-leverage reliever who excelled in limited time with the Cubs last season – 3.14 ERA in 28.2 innings – and was in strong consideration for a prominent role in their bullpen this season.

With Heuer out for the season, it opens the door for other young Cubs relievers in the late innings. It’s possible that they pursue a reliever when free agency opens up, though losing Heuer, who they were counting on to pitch in the eighth and perhaps even the ninth inning, before spring training even starts is a massive blow.