Cubs Pitching Prospect Brandon Birdsell to Undergo Elbow Surgery
UPDATE: Chicago Cubs’ top pitching prospect Brandon Birdsell faces a major setback as he is set to undergo season-ending elbow surgery. This critical announcement was made by Cubs assistant general manager Jared Banner just before the team kicked off a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on August 8, 2024.
Birdsell’s surgery, to be performed by renowned surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, curtails his aspirations of making his major league debut this season. Banner indicated that further details about the surgery’s extent and a recovery timeline will be available post-operation, stating,
“We’ll have more information after the surgery. After the surgery we can talk about timelines.”
The 25-year-old right-hander had recently returned from a 60-day injured list on July 18, only to face another injury setback. Birdsell was placed back on the injured list on August 8 due to persistent elbow issues that have plagued him throughout the year. In his four starts with Triple-A Iowa this season, he posted a record of 1-1 with an impressive 3.38 ERA.
Birdsell, drafted in the fifth round as the 143rd overall pick in the 2022 amateur draft from Texas Tech, was initially a promising non-roster invitee to spring training. However, he was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 19, severely limiting his opportunities this year. Over his minor league career, he holds a record of 14-19 with a 3.35 ERA across 59 appearances, primarily as a starter, totaling 276 2/3 innings.
This development is particularly disheartening for both Birdsell and the Cubs organization as they had high hopes for his future impact in the major leagues. Fans are now left to speculate about the team’s pitching strategy moving forward amid this urgent situation.
As Birdsell prepares for surgery, the Cubs will be watching closely to assess his recovery and future contributions to the team. Further updates are expected after the procedure, which could significantly shape the Cubs’ plans for the remainder of the season and beyond. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this story.
