Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman struggles in rehab outing with Iowa Cubs

As Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman warmed up for Sunday's rehabilitation start with the Iowa Cubs, members of the team's bullpen stood behind the mound and fans lined up along the left-field wall, intently watching him during what turned out to be his lone appearance in Des Moines. 

Stroman's first and only outing with Iowa was far from perfect. The righty allowed five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings of work against the Columbus Clippers. Stroman struck out two, walked one and threw 53 pitches, including 34 strikes, before being lifted for reaching his pitch count. 

After the game, Stroman declined to talk to the media. He had to quickly hop on a flight to take him to Milwaukee, where the Cubs were scheduled to begin a three-game series with the Brewers on Monday. Despite the rough-at-times outing, Stroman's next start could come in the big leagues with the Cubs. 

That's why Sunday's results didn't matter much for Stroman, who has been on the injured list since June 10 with right shoulder inflammation. The most important part of the stint was simply getting back on the mound. But there were some positives for Stroman, whose fastball sat in the low 90s. Only three of the seven hits he gave up were truly struck hard.

Still, he struggled in his third inning of work when he walked the leadoff hitter on four pitches to start the inning and then gave up a single to right. Stroman, who got two outs in the inning, couldn't finish it off. Iowa manager Marty Pevey pulled him after he surrendered an RBI double to right to Gavin Collins on his 53rd pitch of the night. 

Stroman was expected to play a big role for the Cubs this season. A Gold Glove winner in 2017 and an All-Star in 2019, he's in his eighth season in the big leagues. He played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets before signing a three-year deal, reportedly worth $71 million, with the Cubs back in December.

His signing was among the biggest of the off season for the Cubs, adding a strong starter to boost their rotation. But Stroman, who won 10 games last season, has struggled at times this season and landed on the injured list twice. He's produced a 2-5 record with a 5.32 ERA in nine starts. 

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.