Old Injury Pops Up For Nick Madrigal

This is just brutal timing for Nick Madrigal. For the first time as a member of the Chicago Cubs, Madrigal was finally going through an extended period of success, which is what fans thought they would be getting when the team traded for the infielder in the summer of 2021. Now, we're hoping Madrigal's latest injury doesn't derail his momentum.

During Monday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, Madrigal banged into the side wall behind the third base bag, going down the left field line. Madrigal winced, as it looked like he banged one of his knees on the wall, but the third baseman stayed in the game. Madrigal eventually caught the second out in the fourth inning, but after a pitching change with two outs the Cubs also took Madrigal out of the game.

The Cubs later announced that Madrigal left the game against the Brewers because of hamstring tightness.

Madrigal was sent down to Triple-A in May, but after a couple of scorching hot weeks with the Iowa Cubs, he was brought back on June 9, against the San Francisco Giants. Since then, Madrigal has gone 19-for-58, good for a .328 batting average, to go along with six extra base hits and an OBP above .400, during the past three weeks.

Back in 2021, when Madrigal was still the starting second baseman for the Chicago White Sox, he suffered a nasty tear in his right hamstring that required season-ending surgery. He was able to start the 2022 season on time with the Cubs, but he just wasn't full healthy and missed time on the injured list with other leg issues.

Despite his early struggles at the plate this season, Madrigal's resurgence has raised his overall slash line to .278/.335/.364, and his defense at third base has also made him the Cubs' best option to start at the hot corner.

These type of injuries can be extremely tricky, so I'd expect Madrigal to sit out at least a game or two. Let's hope Madrigal doesn't need a trip to the injured list because not only would it hurt the Cubs right now, but it could be mentally draining for a guy who was starting to regain his confidence.