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Remember when Tom Ricketts was on his mini press tour before the Cubs Convention in January and he was listing off the free agents the team signed and he had to stop after two names: Cole Hamels and Daniel Descalso. Technically, Descalso was the only big free agent the Cubs added this offseason, with his two-year, $5 million contract. Well, now he’s hurt and the Cubs don’t know when he’ll be back.
The infielder is dealing with a shoulder injury.
INF Daniel Descalso slowed by sore left shoulder. No time table on his return.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 13, 2019
There’s no indication how serious the shoulder issue is and if it will prevent him from being ready for Opening Day.
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So far in spring training, Descalso has played in eight games, getting two hits in 16 at-bats.
If it turns out that Descalso won’t be ready in two weeks for the start of the regular season, then Ian Happ might actually get some starts at second base. Ben Zobrist will still be the primary guy there, but if Descalso is out of the picture to begin the year, it opens up playing time for Happ, who has focused on trying to get more versatile this offseason.
Descalso’s injury could also open up a bench spot. Right now, if you consider Zobrist as the starting second baseman, Happ, David Bote and Victor Caratini are the bench players. So, maybe the Cubs go with Mark Zagunis as their fourth bench guy, or if they want another infielder they could elect to go with Cristhian Adames.
Certainly not an ideal start with the Cubs for Descalso.
