Cubs Closer Craig Kimbrel Placed on IL With Right Knee Swelling

The Chicago Cubs' midseason bullpen acquisition is going to have to spend some time on the sidelines.

Closer Craig Kimbrel has been placed on the injured list with right knee swelling. The news of his injury only compounds the problems that came with Willson Contreras' injury.

Though it won't inspire much confidence, reliever Duane Underwood has been called up as a corresponding move.

Kimbrel has struggled with the Cubs ever since they called him up from his tune-up stint in the minors, pitching to a 5.68 ERA and a 6.77 FIP. He's walked eight batters in 12.2 innings of work, and while his 12.1 K/9 is still respectable, it stands as the lowest mark in his 10-year career.

The seven-time All-Star has blown two saves in 11 opportunities with the Cubs. That 81.8% success rate in saves also stands out as the lowest percentage of his career.

The bullpen, as a whole, has hampered the Cubs' success this year. Their 21 blown saves are tied with the Oakland Athletics for the third-most in baseball

Perhaps some time spent on the injured list resting will do him some good. It wouldn't be unreasonable to think that he isn't quite in shape, considering he didn't sign with a team until June.

Some rest and time away from the action could give him the renewed sense of energy that he needs to help the team in the playoff push.