The Cubs will have to shuffle their bullpen once again after Craig Kimbrel landed on the injured list Monday with right knee inflammation.
The team said Kimbrel reported feeling discomfort after his most recent outing Saturday against the Brewers and underwent an MRI, which revealed the issue.
It's the latest bump in an up-and-down season for Kimbrel, who has struggled to find consistency since signing with the Cubs on June 7 after sitting out spring training and nearly half the season.
While the 31-year-old seemed to have found a groove after a rough start to his Chicago tenure, converting six consecutive save chances last month, he recently suffered a brutal blown save in Milwaukee, allowing a pair of 10th-inning homers in a 5-3 loss after the Cubs had taken a lead in the top of the inning.
He told reporters Monday that the knee problem is something he would "absolutely" be able to pitch through if necessary, but the team was being cautious in the way it handles the injury.
Kimbrel expressed frustration with the setback, saying (via the Sun-Times) he finally felt as if he was back to his expected standards after the late start to the season.
“I was getting real close," he said. "I was feeling really good.”
Steve Cishek would be the logical choice to take over closer duties in Kimbrel's absence.
He and Pedro Strop filled the role before Kimbrel's arrival, but Strop is currently on the IL with a neck problem.
