CHICAGO _ The Chicago Cubs' starting pitching depth will be put to the test before Friday's first workout of summer training.
The team announced Thursday that Jose Quintana suffered a cut on his left pitching thumb at his Miami home that required five stitches.
Quintana, whom the Cubs said cut his finger washing dishes, underwent microscopic surgery Thursday to repair a lacerated digital sensory nerve in his thumb.
Quintana, who can become a free agent after this season, is expected to resume his throwing program in two weeks, the team said.
But that won't be enough time for him to be ready for the start of the 60-game season on July 23 or July 24.
Quintana, 31, has been inconsistent since joining the Cubs in a July 2017 deadline trade with the White Sox for top prospects Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and two minor league players.
But Quintana provided plenty of durability, making 31 starts or more since 2013. Quintana is 33-23 with a 4.23 ERA in 78 games (77 starts) with the Cubs.
Quintana's injury likely means that Alec Mills will take his spot in a rotation that includes Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jon Lester.
Mills, 28, is 1-1 with a 3.77 ERA over parts of the last two seasons with the Cubs and can start or relieve. Mills, who spent most of last season with Triple-A Iowa, limited right-handers to a .167 batting average with a .235 on-base percentage and .530 OPS last season with the Cubs.
Mills was 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA in nine games (four starts) last season.
Colin Rea and Jharel Cotton are expected to receive longer looks as potential starters and long relievers.
