According to multiple reports out of Chicago, Jon Lieber has returned home to Mobile, AL and will not pitch for the remainder of the season. According to the report on Cubs.com, Lieber told "Cubs general manager Jim Hendry his arm is sore and he is unable to pitch the rest of the season."
Lieber was a big part of the early season success for the Cubs. Lieber finished 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in 26 games....but was 2-1 in 8 games in April with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
Jon Lieber was less than sharp in his second inning of relief on Friday night after facing the minimum in the 3rd inning....not exactly the way the Cubs last 20-game winner should go out. Lieber will always be a fan favorite in Chicago.
Could Jon Lieber have thrown his last pitch in the Majors? We will have to wait and see....but this writer will always be a believer.
He has always been a class act!
I've never thought much of Lieber one way or another.....but I do not think it is a class act at all to tuck your tail and go home right at the end of a season and when the team is in such a slump....annouce you cannot pitch...fine....but don't abandon your teammates with three weeks to go...in an exciting race....especially when times are tough right now. Seems to me people had a fit when Sammy Sosa packed up and went home during the last game of a season....
There might be more to this. Lieber's only start was
vs Cincy earlier this year. He got rocked and Lou never let him start again. In addition to Scott Eyre, Lieber was also in Lou's dog house.
The dude's hurt man. He's from Iowa and won 20 for the Cubs so i've followed his career. He's not a quitter if anything maybe he shouldn't have tried to come back. Think of all the rehab he did. He's no Sosa and your attack on him is lame!
This could be good. Can we now replace with with a post-season eligible pitcher?
Blam...hello and welcome to the CCO.
Also, the Cubs received two exemptions on a possible playoff roster. One with Chad Fox (60-day DL) and the other with Rich Hill (15-day DL). They would receive a third exemption if Jon Lieber is placed on the DL. I would imagine he would be placed on the 60-day DL to create a roster spot on the 40-man roster. As I noted, Hendry said they would announce the callup of another pitcher on Tuesday.
http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2008/09/pie_recalled_1.php