Chicago Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman remains uncertain about his availability for the MLB playoffs after injuring his left shoulder during Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs right-hander hurt his non-throwing shoulder while covering third base in the sixth inning. Michael Busch threw across the diamond as Heriberto Hernandez tried to advance, and Gausman lunged to apply the tag before leaving the game.
The Chicago Sun-Times' Vinnie Duber shared the day-after update from Gausman Thursday on X, formerly Twitter. When asked how the shoulder felt Thursday, the veteran offered a brief but concerning assessment.
“Not great.”
Duber additionally relayed Gausman’s response when asked whether pitching in next week’s playoffs was in doubt:
Article Continues Below“I don't know. I'm not going to make that judgment now. But I'll do everything I can to be ready for whenever I'm asked to be ready.”
Gausman said he initially felt fine after the tag but noticed weakness in the shoulder once he stood to check the other runner. That prompted his exit. He also said he dislocated the same shoulder in high school and hoped Wednesday night that treatment could make it a short-term issue. Thursday’s soreness left that unanswered.
Chicago acquired Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays in August to add rotation depth and October experience. He had been a candidate to start early in a Wild Card Series that begins Tuesday.
The Cubs entered Thursday at 87-71, one game behind the San Diego Padres and tied with the Philadelphia Phillies. A playoff berth is all but locked in — Chicago’s magic number remains one, with the Arizona Diamondbacks three games back — but Gausman has only a few days to show the shoulder will be ready if the Cubs need him next week.