Cubs’ Fortune Takes Another Bad Turn: Sutcliffe and Matthews Back on Disabled List

The Chicago Cubs placed Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe and outfielder Gary Matthews on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season.

Sutcliffe, who was 16-1 last year but is 7-7 this season, is suffering from a groin strain. On May 19 at Atlanta, Sutcliffe suffered a partial tear of his left hamstring and was on the disabled list from May 20 to June 6.

He returned to pitch a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh, but has since lost three of four decisions.

Matthews’ injury is a muscle strain. Matthews, who is hitting .218 this season, had arthroscopic surgery May 29 on his left knee and was on the disabled list from May 29 to June 19.

Since returning, Matthews has batted .156 with five hits in 32 at-bats with three runs batted in. Last year, he hit .291 with 14 home runs and 82 RBIs.

The Cubs recalled left-handed pitcher Ron Meridith from their Triple-A farm club at Iowa, and asked for reacquisition waivers on left-handed pitcher Larry Gura, also at Iowa.

Meridith was 4-1 at Iowa with a 1.34 earned-run average in 40.2 innings.