8/14 Garza may run out of time

It’s been one week since Matt Garza was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow, and the Cubs pitcher may simply run out of time this season to come back from the injury.

“There’s no need to rush him back,” Theo Epstein said Tuesday. ”Let him heal and put him in a position to be 100 percent so he can have a big year next year for the Cubs.”

Garza last pitched July 21, and left that game with cramping in his right triceps. He was diagnosed on Aug. 6 with the stress reaction.

Dale Sveum said Tuesday he would be surprised if Garza returned this year. The right-hander has not been allowed to pick up a baseball since the diagnosis. Garza was 5-7 in 18 starts with a 3.91 ERA.

“In his mind, he wants to come back and pitch,” Sveum said.

– Carrie Muskat