Ryan

O'Malley

O’Malley had to be removed in the fifth inning of his start last night against the Phillies. If he returns in September, there’s a good chance that he’ll do so as a reliever.

O’Malley, who was exceptional against the Astros last week in his major league debut, gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings before leaving tonight. It’s possible that he’ll follow Carlos Marmol to the disabled list.

O’Malley will be the emergency starter for today’s game. The 26-year-old O’Malley, who is making his major league debut, was 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA, 135 H and 71/30 K/BB in 123 2/3 innings for Iowa. A strong performance today could lead to additional opportunities in the future, but the Cubs would have arranged things differently had they known they’d need a starter today.

O’Malley deserves a lot of credit here, but it was another pathetic showing from the Astros, who scored in just two of 36 innings while getting swept at home by one of baseball’s worst teams. The 26-year-old O’Malley, who couldn’t have found out about the assignment until after midnight last night, allowed five hits, walked six and struck out two in an 109-pitch outing. There’s a good chance he’s earned himself additional starts, if not right away then in September, but he isn’t currently recommended in NL-only leagues.

O’Malley has a mild-to-moderate strain of the flexor in his forearm and has already started taking medication as part of his treatment. “Incredible relief just to hear the news that there’s no damage. Just a week or two off and then back at it,” O’Malley said.

The Cubs haven’t said whether O’Malley will go back into the rotation right away. He might work in middle relief. Either way, he shouldn’t have any fantasy value.

“There’s still a little soreness,” O’Malley said. “They want me to be pain-free. … “I hope to pitch again [this year], but we’re not going to take any chances of getting hurt at the end of the year.” O’Malley could make one or two starts before the season is over, but he is unlikely to have any fantasy value.

O’Malley, who made two starts for the Cubs late last year, gave up six runs in 7 1/3 innings this spring. Fox helped himself by going 6-for-13 with two homers and two doubles. Unfortunately, he’s not much of a catcher.