Owen Caissie Shut Down with Groin Strain, Had Offseason Core Muscle Surgery

Craig Counsell announced Thursday that outfield prospect Owen Caissie has been completely shut down due to a left groin strain. The Cubs are being extra vigilant because Caissie underwent core muscle surgery this offseason. No timeline has been given for his return, but we should hear more about a rehab timetable soon. This would seem to make the decision to DFA Alexander Canario even more curious, but Kevin Alcántara is still healthy.

In other injury news, Matt Shaw doesn’t appear to be suffering any lingering effects from the oblique issue that slowed him earlier in camp. Javier Assad suffered a similar injury and was delayed out of the gate, but has resumed playing catch. The only other note from camp is that outfielder Brett Bateman had surgery to repair a broken hamate bone on his right hand.