:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50363725/usa-today-9445428.0.jpg)
The top two teams in the NL Central, the Cubs and the Cardinals, each suffered serious injuries this week.
Matt Holliday was hit on the hand by a pitch in Thursday night's game and fractured his thumb. There is no timetable for his return, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to make it back at some point this season. This is a significant blow to a St. Louis team fighting for a wild card spot.
"It's super disappointing. But it's part of the sport, unfortunately," Holliday said.
Holliday was having somewhat of a down year by his standards, but was still productive, hitting .242 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI at the time of his injury.
Meanwhile the Cubs took a blow to their bullpen on Wednesday night, as setup man Pedro Strop was diagnosed with a torn left meniscus tear.
Strop said he felt a pop but no sharp pain after fielding a ball hit near the third-base line. He's expected to miss four to six weeks.
"I almost cried thinking I might be out for the season," Strop said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "This is a special group [and] I want to be part of it in the playoffs and World Series if we get there."
Strop has proven to be a vital part of Chicago's bullpen after being acquired by the Cubs in 2013 from the Orioles in the same deal that brought them Jake Arrieta. He has a 2.89 ERA and 0.89 WHIP this season in 43.2 innings.
More from the NL Central:
- Pirates starter Jameson Taillon posted his sixth consecutive quality start on Thursday after shutting out the Padres for eight innings. The rookie is off to a promising start for Pittsburgh and now has a 2.85 ERA in 60 innings.
- Not much has gone right for the Reds this season, but centerfielder Billy Hamilton continues to impress with his speed. Hamilton leads the majors in steals with 51, and has only been caught seven times.
- It was a tough week for former Brewers all-stars. Prince Fielder was forced to retire from the Texas Rangers due to his recurring neck injury, and outfielder Carlos Gomez was designated for assignment by the Houston Astros.