Cubs RHP Prospect Manuel Rodriguez Has Grade 2 Biceps Strain, No Timetable for Return

Manuel Rodriguez, a hard-throwing 23-year-old righty who was just added to the 40-man roster in November, left Sunday’s game chaperoned by a trainer after coming up lame just nine pitches into his performance. It appeared at the time to be an issue with his right elbow, but the Cubs clarified later that it was right biceps discomfort. Rodriguez had an MRI to further diagnose the issue, which David Ross revealed Tuesday is a Grade 2 strain.

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There are three grades of biceps strain, so Rodriguez falls right in the middle. It’s hard to say exactly what that means because there’s still a wide range when it comes to the severity of the injury. While Grade 3 is a complete rupture of the muscle or tendon, Grade 2 is defined as “moderate tearing in the biceps or tendon with some loss of mobility or strength.”

As you might expect, that means there’s no set timetable for a return at this point. Ross said the medical and training staff will map out a rehab plan, but that nothing specific has been determined at this point. That said, you have to figure this sets him back at least a couple weeks and probably keeps him from the start of the season. The minor-league season, that is.