A balanced schedule has created some quirks for the Chicago Cubs.
Their three-game collection this week towards the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates marks the groups’ first assembly of 2023. Until this level, the Cubs had performed solely 4 collection versus National League Central groups. With 12 of their remaining 30 collection representing division opponents, the Cubs could have possibilities to chip away at their present fourth-place standing.
The competitiveness, or lack of, throughout the division — the Pirates are the one staff above .500 — might complicate the Cubs’ selections main as much as the Aug. 1 commerce deadline.
“It’s probably rare to be at a point where you’d say that about a division in the middle of June where anyone can still win it but no one has pulled away or even pulled away from .500,” President Jed Hoyer stated Wednesday. “And I feel that’s one of many challenges of evaluating your staff is that you just’re evaluating the place you might be within the standings.
“But you’re also evaluating how you’re performing, and some of that is component numbers or some of that is where you are in relation to .500 as well, so all of those things are going to be a factor.”
Public dialogue on contract talks stays a nonstarter
Hoyer gained’t deviate from his stance of not discussing contract extensions — even when a participant shares emotions publicly.
Hoyer once more reiterated his philosophy Wednesday in his first feedback since pitcher Marcus Stroman expressed on Twitter and to reporters, together with the Tribune, his want to stay with the Cubs however that the entrance workplace had not been prepared to have interaction in extension talks.
“Listen, I love the fact that he wants to be here,” Hoyer stated. “And we’ve had conversations about it and I’m not going to reveal what we’ve talked about, however there’s dialogue and we’ll preserve that in-house.
“In theory, in-season negotiations are more difficult. You’re getting different data every five days, and it can become more challenging, but I wouldn’t discuss it with this in particular.”
Stroman, 32, can decide out of the ultimate yr of his three-year, $71 million contract by which he would earn $21 million in 2024. That determine can enhance to $23 million if he reaches 160 innings this season. Through 85⅔ innings and 14 begins, Stroman has been the most effective begins in Major League Baseball, proudly owning a 2.42 ERA and 184 ERA+.
“We don’t talk about negotiations outside of our four walls,” Hoyer stated. “We discuss to the brokers and we discuss to the gamers and on this specific case, he tweeted it out, which I assume that modified the dynamic, however it doesn’t change our stance on it, which is we’re simply not going to remark.
“There’s zero benefit for the relationship with them to comment on it and there’s zero benefit from the negotiating stance to comment on it. So we don’t benefit and we’re not going to do it and we’ve done that with every negotiation.”
Cody Bellinger getting reps at first base as he ramps as much as rejoin staff
When Cody Bellinger comes off the injured listing and rejoins the Chicago Cubs, don’t be shocked to see the Gold Glove outfielder get time at a distinct place.
Bellinger has performed first base in his first two rehab video games with Triple-A Iowa. He has continued shagging fly balls in heart discipline whereas at Iowa. He went on the IL on May 16, inflicting him to overlook the final 26 video games, together with Wednesday’s towards the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field.
Manager David Ross stated earlier than the sport that Bellinger is “getting pretty close” to being performed together with his rehab task.
The Cubs have acquired the second-worst WAR at first base this yr (minus-1.9), higher than solely the Houston Astros.
“We’ve always known he has that skill set,” Hoyer stated Wednesday of Bellinger. “Obviously he’s a very good first baseman and in a method it’s a little little bit of a waste of a very nice athlete and nice outfielder to place him in first, which is clearly what the Dodgers ended up deciding once they put him on the market.
“We’re not doing this because we see him as our first baseman for the rest of the year but more as a way of getting him back in the lineup.”
Hoyer additionally cited Mike Tauchman’s efficiency filling in for Bellinger in heart discipline and the standard at-bats they’ve gotten from the lefty. Asked whether or not the Cubs have any issues about Bellinger’s knee dealing with sprints in heart discipline as he proceed to construct up, Hoyer replied, “I think that’s part of it with easing him back in.”
“If we had significant concerns about his knee, we wouldn’t be bringing him back, so we feel good about where he is and hopefully he’s back real soon.”
Lefty Brandon Hughes, prospect Brennen Davis sidelined
Brandon Hughes’ left knee continues to plague the Cubs reliever.
Hughes went on the 15-day injured listing Tuesday with left knee irritation, a problem that has reoccurred since spring coaching. This is the third time his left knee has required Hughes, 27, go on the IL this season. Hughes’ knee drawback dates to 2015 when he underwent surgical procedure to restore the meniscus; since then, it doesn’t have cartilage, leading to bone-on-bone friction that creates irritation.
The Cubs are once more reevaluating what they’ve been doing to attempt to scale back the impression on Hughes’ knee. After coming off the IL on May 12, Hughes wore a cumbersome brace in the course of the day to restrict the stress.
“We’ve tried so hard to continue to get him back out there and pitching, and he’s gone through a lot to do that,” Hoyer stated. “There’s been glimpses of the pitcher he was last year for us, but it’s been glimpses, and the rest of the time, he’s been dealing with some real discomfort. So by taking a step back a little bit and thinking about other ways we can attack this, because while he may be able to do it and he’s tough and he wants the ball, I also think he hasn’t been as effective.”
Hughes owns a 7.24 ERA (11 earned runs in 13⅔ innings) in 17 appearances. It’s unclear whether or not he’ll want surgical procedure to repair the issue.
“We’re still in that process,” Hoyer stated. “But I guess in theory, everything would be on the table, but that’s just to say we don’t know yet.”
Hoyer anticipates the Cubs having information within the new few days on prospect Brennen Davis, who went on the IL at Triple A final week. The group has been working to unravel what’s ailing Davis, although Hoyer stated it’s not again associated. That is no less than encouraging information after present process again surgical procedure final June that triggered him to overlook a lot of the 2022 season.
Davis, 23, posted a .198/.316/.299 slash line in 187 plate appearances at Triple A earlier than his undisclosed ailment. He had tallied solely seven doubles and three residence runs in 45 video games.
“Obviously he hasn’t been impacting the ball the same way he did, the power hasn’t been there,” Hoyer stated. “Just trying to get to the bottom of it because we’ve seen him when he’s right and how impactful he can be. It’s not where he is right now.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com