Cubs Activate Edward Cabrera: The 99 MPH Wild Card Returns

Edward Cabrera is officially back from the injured list, which means it is time to reset the "Days Since Last Edward Cabrera Injury" clock back to zero.

As reported by MLB Trade Rumors, the Chicago Cubs are activating the 28-year-old righty to start Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Cabrera has been sidelined since late June with a hamstring strain he suffered while doing a full split trying to cover first base. Gymnastics routines are generally not recommended for a guy whose medical chart already reads like a CVS receipt.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported the activation."

When the Cubs traded top prospect Owen Caissie to the Miami Marlins for Cabrera this past winter, they knew they were buying a high-variance lottery ticket. The upside is a starter who can touch 99.5 mph on the radar gun. The downside is a pitcher who currently sports a 5.10 ERA and has already hit the IL twice this season for a blister and the aforementioned hamstring stretch.

For anyone looking at the betting lines for Sunday's NL Central clash, Cabrera is the ultimate wild card. You are either getting five innings of unhittable heat or a guy who gives up a grand slam before you can finish your first hot dog. In his last rehab start at Double-A Knoxville, he threw five no-hit innings with seven strikeouts, which is exactly the kind of stat line that pulls you right back in.

The Cubs desperately need rotation stability if they want to make any kind of late-season push. Cabrera gets the ball against the Cardinals tonight, and Chicago fans will be holding their collective breath every time he has to jog over to cover the bag.