According to multiple reports on Saturday morning, an MRI on both Ian Stewart and Josh Vitters confirmed mild to moderate quad strains. Stewart and Vitters could be sidelined for 10-14 days.
While Josh Vitters was not expected to make the team out of Spring Training, basically ticketed for Triple-A Iowa, this is not good news for Ian Stewart.
As Dale Sveum has pointed out several times since camp began, the third base job is Ian Stewart’s to win, not lose, and this set back does not figure to help his cause. The Cubs needed to see a healthy Stewart on the field throughout the Cactus League.
Stewart told Paul Sullivan that he is not focused on the possibility of not making the team out of camp due to injury.
Stewart signed a non-guaranteed contract for $2 million for this season, and will have to prove to the Cubs he is worth a roster spot. The Cubs can still cut ties with Stewart prior to Opening Day, but it would cost them a portion of his $2 million salary. With Stewart possibly missing as much as 14 days, the March 16 deadline, in which the Cubs would pay him 1/6 of his contract if they cut him, seems a little unlikely. After March 16, if the Cubs decide to part ways with Stewart prior to Opening Day, it will cost the team ¼ of his $2 million contract.
Stay Tuned …