Edward Cabrera: Everything you need to know

Cabrera (finger) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Thursday and had been scheduled to throw off the mound Sunday with greater intensity, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. The Cubs haven't confirmed that Cabrera was in fact able to throw again Sunday, but Montemurro notes that the right-hander was able to use his entire pitch mix during Thursday's session. Cabrera's ability to use his full arsenal suggests that the blister on his right middle finger isn't providing any complications with his off-speed pitches, so the 28-year-old looks like he could have a realistic chance at avoiding a rehab assignment and returning from the 15-day injured list this coming weekend when he's first eligible. If he's deemed ready to go for the Cubs' weekend series with the Giants, Cabrera would presumably replace Jordan Wicks as the team's fifth starter.

The Cubs placed Cabrera (finger) on the 15-day injured list Sunday. After Cabrera exited his most recent start Wednesday against the Brewers due to a blister on his right middle finger, the Cubs had been viewing him as day-to-day and planned to have him throw a bullpen session Sunday before determining whether he would be ready to make his next turn through the rotation. The 28-year-old apparently wasn't as sharp in the side session as the Cubs would have hoped, prompting the team to deactivate him. The Cubs recalled Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move and will likely have him start or work in bulk relief when Cabrera's turn comes up Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Cabrera was removed from Wednesday's game against the Brewers with a blister on his right middle finger, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports. After allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out two batters through three frames, Cabrera was taken out of Wednesday's contest following his first pitch of the fourth inning. It's unknown whether the 28-year-old righty will be ready to take the mound in time for his next scheduled start Tuesday in Pittsburgh, but the Cubs will monitor the situation closely over the next several days.