Cubs pitcher John Lackey joined the 2,000 strikeout club Friday during the fourth inning with a strikeout of Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth.
Lackey became the fifth active player — joining CC Sabathia, Bartolo Colon, Felix Hernandez and Jake Peavy — to reach 2,000 strikeouts. He is now 73rd on the all-time strikeout list.
MORE: MLB's best third baseman is ... ? | MLB's fab freshmen
Congratulations to John Lackey on career strikeout No. 2,000! #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/yUuNoU6Tjs
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 6, 2016
The 14-year veteran is in his first season with the Cubs after spending the last two with the Cardinals. Lackey has never had 200 strikeouts in a season, but did have 199 in 2005.
The Cubs signed Lackey in the offseason to give themselves more rotation depth, which they did not have last postseason. So far, it appears that investment will pay off as Lackey came into Friday 3-1 in five starts this season.