3 Pitchers Cubs Should Target After Cole Hamels' Oblique Injury

The Cubs have lost Cole Hamels to injury at the worst possible time. The veteran southpaw went down with an oblique injury in the midst of a strong 2019 campaign, and Chicago should be preparing for the worst. Hamels suffered a similar injury in 2017 and ended up missing two months. If the Cubs want to get by without him, they should take a look at snagging these three pitchers.

3. Trevor Bauer

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Bauer is just the kind of electric arm with high upside that the Cubs could use in place of Hamels. He's logged 134 strikeouts in 119 innings of work in 2019 for the Cleveland Indians. Though he's had a bit of an up-and-down year, there's no doubt that he could help reshape the Cubs' rotation should Hamels miss an extended period of time this summer.

2. Marcus Stroman

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Stroman has had a stellar season for the Blue Jays. He boasts a 3.04 ERA over 17 starts for Toronto this year, rebounding from a tough 2018 campaign that saw his him struggle to find success. His walk rate is at its lowest point in four years, and he'd be perfect for adding a little bit of attitude to the starting rotation.

1. Madison Bumgarner

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Madison Bumgarner would be the perfect replacement for Hamels. He's a tenured veteran with a proven track record of stepping up in his team's time of need. Though he has a career-high 4.21 ERA this year, he's pitched in the NL for his entire career, and his career 2.11 ERA in the postseason proves he's the perfect move for tiding the team over in the regular season and giving them a go-to arm in October.