CHICAGO — After the most difficult stretch of his 2023 season and Cubs’ career to date, the team’s All-Star starter is going to be out of the rotation for a little bit.

On Wednesday, the Cubs placed starting pitcher Marcus Stroman on the 15-day IL with right hip inflammation, which figures to keep him out for at least two starts.

Jose Cuas, who was acquired by the Cubs in a trade with the Royals for Nelson Velazquez on Monday, has been added to the 26-man roster and will be available for game against the Reds at Wrigley Field on Wednesday night.

This comes after Stroman endured the roughest stretch of his time with the Cubs in July when he had a 9.11 ERA over his six starts. This came after the starter had an ERA under three in his first three months of the season, including a 2.17 ERA in five starts in June.

Stroman was named a National League All-Star for his performance during the first three months of the season, the second selection of his career. In 23 starts this season, the starter has a 10-8 record with a 3.35 ERA with 111 strikeouts compared to 50 walks.

At the moment, the Cubs are competing for either the National League Central division championship or a Wild Card spot. As of Wednesday night, they are four games behind the Reds for the division lead and just three out of the final NL Wild Card spot.