Chicago Cubs third baseman Jonathan Villar. (Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
The Chicago Cubs had to put infielder Jonathan Villar on the 10-day IL because of a mouth injury caused by an exercise band mishap.
The Cubs injury list is starting to fill up as May comes to a close.
On Monday, Chicago put Seiya Suzuki on the 10-day-IL along with infielder Jonathan Villar. They join Nick Madrigal, Jason Heyward and a slew of pitchers dealing with injury.
Suzuki’s finger sprain is the biggest concern for the lineup but the incident that landed Villar on the injured list as well is definitely the most unexpected.
Jonathan Villar injured by freak accident with exercise band
Villar suffered a mouth injury when an exercise band “snapped back into his mouth,” according to Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. He will need “significant dental work” as a result.
Mouth injury by exercise band is a new one, though not the craziest way a player has ever landed on the IL. The question is how long it will take for Villar to recover from the extensive work he’ll need on his mouth.
Villar is batting .239/.279/.336 in his first season with the Cubs. He has two home runs, 12 RB and four stolen bases. He’s played 19 games at second base while stepping in at third base 10 times and shortstop twice.
Chicago will miss Villar’s positional flexibility, especially as they deal with other injuries in the lineup.
The Cubs are lost the first half of their double-header to the Brewers on Memorial Day, leaving them fourth in the NL Central.