Heuer (elbow) might begin the season on the 60-day injured list, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer is coming up on the one-year anniversary of his Tommy John surgery, so him getting a late start to the season was expected. The right-hander doesn't figure to be ready to join the Cubs' bullpen until at least June or so and even after returning the team will be careful with his workload.

Heuer (elbow) and the Cubs agreed on a one-year, $785,000 contract Friday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer and the organization avoided arbitration by striking a deal Friday. The right-hander missed the entirety of the 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early March and he will look to make his return to the mound in 2023. Heuer last pitched in 2021, producing a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 56 strikeouts over 67.1 innings in 65 appearances with the White Sox and Cubs.

The Cubs placed Heuer (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

In a corresponding move, the Cubs announced the signing of veteran reliever David Robertson, who will take Heuer's spot in the bullpen and on the 40-man roster. Heuer will miss the entire 2022 season and, likely, a large portion of the 2023 campaign after he underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month.

Heuer's unspecified arm procedure that he underwent Monday was in fact Tommy John surgery, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer announced the surgery on his personal Instagram page but didn't note exactly what the procedure was. It's now clear that he'll be unable to return until some point in 2023, likely closer to midseason. Rowan Wick seemingly has a firmer grip on the Cubs' closer job in Heuer's absence, with Brad Wieck and Manuel Rodriguez lining up as potential challengers.

Heuer announced Tuesday via his personal Instagram account that he underwent an unspecified arm surgery this week.

EDGE Analysis

Until it becomes clear exactly what procedure Heuer underwent, it's difficult to say when he'll be back. If he underwent Tommy John surgery, he'll definitely miss all of the upcoming season as well as a substantial portion of 2023, though a lesser procedure could still give him a chance to return this year. Heuer had looked like one of the top alternatives to presumed closer Rowan Wick, but Wick's job now appears to be comparatively safe. Brad Wieck and Manuel Rodriguez look like Wick's main competition for now.

Heuer pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Entering Wednesday, the right-hander had allowed six runs across two innings in his last three appearances. Interestingly, Heuer received the save chance after Rowan Wick was deployed in the eighth inning. Both relievers have struggled lately, but they contributed two of the Cubs' four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. For the season, Heuer has a 4.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 56:23 K:BB and 7-4 record across 67.1 innings between the Cubs and the White Sox.

Heuer (7-4) allowed two earned runs on one hit and three walks while striking out one across one inning, taking the loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer entered the ninth inning in a tie game, and quickly gave the lead to St. Louis. Although two of the walks were intentional, it wasn't a good showing for the pitcher, who also had a wild pitch that allowed a run to score. The 24-year-old has a 3.25 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 17 punchouts in 27.2 innings with the Cubs this season.

Heuer pitched two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts to earn the save in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer had to do a little extra work to secure his first save in a Cubs uniform and second in the majors after logging one last year. Since coming over from the crosstown White Sox before the trade deadline, the righty has posted an impressive 1.80 ERA across 10 innings of work with six strikeouts. The 25-year-old Heuer could see more save opportunities for the rebuilding Cubs down the stretch as the team takes stock of young players heading into next season.

Heuer (4-2) was tagged with the loss Saturday against the Marlins after allowing two unearned runs on two hits while fanning one across one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer pitched the eighth with the Cubs holding a one-run lead, but he was unable to maintain that advantage and ultimately gave up both the tying and winning runs -- though both runs came home thanks to a fielding error by Sergio Alcantara. The right-hander, who was acquired by the Cubs from the White Sox before the trade deadline, owns a 2.25 ERA through seven appearances (eight innings) with the Cubs.

Heuer and Nick Madrigal (hamstring) were sent from the White Sox to the Cubs in exchange for Craig Kimbrel on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heuer is clearly the lesser part of the return for the Cubs but should still play a role for his new team. The 25-year-old righty has seen his ERA jump from 1.52 last year to 5.12 this season, though a similar jump in his BABIP from .193 to .360 accounts for much of that difference. He hasn't been a particularly exciting weapon this season, striking out a roughly average 23.5 percent of opposing batters, but it won't take much to earn high-leverage opportunities down the stretch for a Cubs team that's in the process of trading away most of its veterans.