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Cubs reliever Trent Thornton hoping to avoid IL after he was struck on heel by comebacker

Emily Smith - bharatmorningnews.com जुलाई 22, 2026

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Bharatmorningnews.com – “`html Cubs Reliever Trent Thornton Hoping to Avoid IL After Heel Hit Thornton Faces Uncertain Timeline After Line Drive Injury

Bharatmorningnews.com – “`html Cubs Reliever Trent Thornton Hoping to Avoid IL After Heel Hit

Thornton Faces Uncertain Timeline After Line Drive Injury

Cubs reliever Trent Thornton hoping to avoid a lengthy absence from the mound has been placed on a cautious recovery schedule following a painful collision with a line drive. The Chicago Cubs pitcher sustained a significant bruise to his left heel when Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene’s 108.9 mph comebacker struck him during the 10th inning of Monday’s series opener at Comerica Park. The incident occurred as Thornton was attempting to field a ground ball, resulting in immediate discomfort that required medical attention on the field.

Medical professionals conducted comprehensive imaging on Tuesday to assess the extent of Thornton’s injury. Fortunately, the scans revealed no broken bones in his foot, providing optimism for a relatively quick recovery. Following the diagnostic evaluation, the 32-year-old right-hander participated in light catch sessions ahead of Thursday’s scheduled matchup against the Tigers. Thornton expressed genuine confidence that he could sidestep a trip to the injured list, though the team remains cautious about rushing his return to full activity.

Footwear Choice May Have Prevented Worse Damage

Thornton attributed his relatively minor injury to his footwear choice on game day. The Mizuno cleats he wore featured a rigid protective layer directly over the heel area, unlike his alternate pair which utilizes a softer exterior covering for that same region. This protective element likely absorbed much of the impact from Greene’s powerful comebacker, preventing what could have been a more serious injury. The pitcher noted that the difference between his two pairs of cleats made a substantial difference in how he experienced the collision.

Chicago deployed seven relief pitchers throughout Monday’s 8-6 defeat to the Tigers, highlighting the depth challenges the team faces. The bullpen has been stretched thin this season, making Thornton’s potential availability even more crucial for the Cubs’ playoff aspirations. The team now enjoys a day off before resuming play, giving Thornton additional time to evaluate his recovery progress and determine his readiness for the upcoming series.

Compounding Thornton’s setback, teammate Phil Maton was transferred to the 15-day disabled list on the identical day. This marks the third time this season the reliever has been sidelined with right knee tendinitis, raising concerns about his long-term durability. Maton underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection on Tuesday and will likely remain inactive for approximately three weeks, further thinning Chicago’s bullpen resources during a critical stretch of the season.

Head coach Craig Counsell provided updates on both players’ conditions during his post-injury press conference.

“The good news was the additional imaging showed improved healing,” Counsell said. “That makes Matt feel good, obviously, so we just got to get through the last little bit.” His comments reflected optimism about the team’s ability to manage multiple injuries simultaneously while maintaining competitive performance.

Utility player Matt Shaw is heading to the organization’s Arizona facility this weekend for further treatment. The infielder, who joined the IL on June 29 with a sprained left hand, could begin batting practice shortly, potentially providing offensive depth when he returns. As Cubs reliever Trent Thornton hoping to avoid extended time on the injured list continues his recovery, the team remains hopeful that both Thornton and Shaw will contribute soon to help stabilize their roster during this challenging period.

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