MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- The Cubs have gone from worrying about Matt Garza's elbow to concern over his side.
Chicago's starter will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the side injury he sustained while pitching batting practice, his first extensive work since last July.
Garza, who made just 18 starts last season because of an elbow injury, felt a twinge in his side while throwing on Sunday.
The Cubs initially called Garza's injury a "mild strain" but general manager Jed Hoyer said Monday that the right-hander will undergo further tests so team doctors will have a better sense of how long Garza will be sidelined.
"The good news is his arm felt really strong," Hoyer said. "It's unfortunate and it's going to set him back a little bit. But we're still really confident. Our concern was with the elbow injury that shut him down last year."
Garza went 5-7 with a 3.91 ERA last season. He made his final start on July 21, when he left a game in St. Louis because of a "stress reaction" in his elbow.
Until the Cubs get the test results, it's not known how long Garza will be sidelined. He remains a candidate to be Chicago's opening-day starter, but manager Dale Sveum said his rotation doesn't have to be set until March 20.
"You can't do anything earlier than that just because unfortunate things like yesterday might happen," he said. "By then (March 20), everybody needs to know what's going on and what their roles are going to be."
Jeff Samardzija and Edwin Jackson are the other possible candidates to start the April 1 opener at Pittsburgh.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Former Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah joined Good Day to announce the Wood Family Foundation's first annual Woody Wiffle Ball Classic on August 10 at Wrigley Field!
Former Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife Sarah joined Good Day to announce the Wood Family Foundation's first annual Woody Wiffle Ball Classic on August 10 at Wrigley Field!
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:31 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:31:44 GMT
Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday night.
Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ransom hit back-to-back homers in a four-run first inning and that was plenty for Jeff Samardzija, who pitched the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 Tuesday night.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:38 AM EDT2013-06-18 04:38:00 GMT
Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.
Sunday, June 16 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-16 21:47:54 GMT
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat Carlos Marmol and the Chicago Cubs 4-3
Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a three-run homer that capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat Carlos Marmol and the Chicago Cubs 4-3
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:17 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:17:50 GMT
Scott Feldman allowed two hits in seven innings and Starlin Castro hit a two-run double to left in the Cubs' three-run eighth inning and Chicago beat the New York Mets 5-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman allowed two hits in seven innings and Starlin Castro hit a two-run double to left in the Cubs' three-run eighth inning and Chicago beat the New York Mets 5-2 on Saturday.
Thursday, June 13 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-06-14 03:10:10 GMT
Pinch-hitter Julio Borbon had a two-out RBI single in the 14th inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Reds 6-5 Thursday and end Cincinnati's record 12-game winning streak at Wrigley Field.
Pinch-hitter Julio Borbon had a two-out RBI single in the 14th inning, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Reds 6-5 Thursday and end Cincinnati's record 12-game winning streak at Wrigley Field.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 12:03 AM EDT2013-06-12 04:03:19 GMT
The Chicago Cubs have suspended Triple-A infielder Ian Stewart without pay for an indefinite period following his critical comments about the organization.
The Chicago Cubs have suspended Triple-A infielder Ian Stewart without pay for an indefinite period following his critical comments about the organization.
