Whether Kyle Hendricks will pitch once more for the Chicago Cubs this season stays unknown.
Hendricks, sidelined since July 6 with a proper shoulder pressure, has taken a step towards a possible return. He’s on his solution to Arizona to start out his rehab, although there’s no timetable for a way lengthy his throwing development and buildup will take.
The Cubs’ precedence is ensuring Hendricks is totally wholesome coming into the offseason. He’s a identified commodity at this level in his profession, so any sport motion could be to set him up for 2023 moderately than an analysis course of, such because the Cubs may need for right-hander Adbert Alzolay.
Alzolay, who has missed your entire season due to a proper shoulder pressure, has been throwing reside batting observe in Arizona and ideally will pitch some innings, even within the minor leagues, earlier than the season ends.
A wholesome, extra constant Hendricks would go a great distance for the 2023 rotation. He and the Cubs wish to keep away from an offseason state of affairs that may require him to proceed rehabbing his shoulder. Hendricks beforehand indicated he desires to get in a couple of begins earlier than the season ends.
The Cubs gained’t needlessly rush Hendricks again, particularly with sufficient inner choices, together with at Triple A, to fill the rotation down the stretch.
Nick Madrigal benefiting from wholesome legs
A wholesome Nick Madrigal is displaying what he can convey to the Cubs lineup when he’s feeling his finest.
Madrigal entered the Cubs’ collection towards the Washington Nationals hitting .391 (9-for-23) with 4 walks and a .500 on-base share in 29 plate appearances over eight video games since getting back from a left groin pressure.
“Seeing that play out is rewarding for him and us,” supervisor David Ross mentioned.
In his final three begins, together with Monday’s 5-4 loss at Nationals Park, Madrigal’s manufacturing has come from being slotted into the leadoff spot. He doubled and scored within the seventh Monday and completed 1-for-5.
Part of Ross’ calculus in batting Madrigal there stems from wanting the second baseman to get as many at-bats as potential after dropping time the final two years due to accidents.
“The leadoff position is probably a little more on-base driven,” Ross mentioned, “but the way he’s swinging the bat, the at-bats he’s had, taking some walks since he’s come back, the all-field approach he’s had — he’s got real bat-to-ball skills, just thinking about how he goes about it. It can be really frustrating from a starting pitcher standpoint that some of these guys can spray it around a little bit.”
Madrigal’s method because the leadoff hitter — being affected person to present his teammates extra seems to be on the opposing pitcher’s stuff or looking for a pitch early within the rely — relies on the pitcher.
“I’ve always tried to be an aggressive hitter,” Madrigal informed the Tribune. “Being in a leadoff spot, really it’s just the first at-bat of the game is the only difference. But (my approach) really depends on the pitcher.”
Madrigal is also in search of spots to be extra aggressive on the basepaths now that his legs really feel loads higher. It has been a course of to achieve energy after final yr’s hamstring surgical procedure, adopted by a low again pressure and the groin pressure that prompted him to overlook about two months this yr.
Madrigal has stolen two bases this season after stealing three in 83 video games over two seasons (2020-21) with the Chicago White Sox.
“I’m able to start testing a little bit, but it’s something that’s always been part of my game,” Madrigal mentioned. “I haven’t got the chance to really show it all that much. But I’m hoping that comes in the future.”
Wade Miley to make one other rehab begin
The Cubs clearly wish to guarantee left-hander Wade Miley is totally wholesome this time with out going through one other setback.
Miley is slated to make one other rehab begin Tuesday at Triple-A Iowa, his fourth rehab outing as he works again from a left shoulder pressure that put him on the injured checklist June 11.
Left elbow irritation thwarted the veteran early within the season earlier than his shoulder challenge emerged in May. In his first begin off the IL, Miley lasted simply three innings with a reoccurrence of the damage.
Miley had thought his bullpen classes simulated sufficient of a sport state of affairs to check his shoulder. This time he’s taking over a extra thorough buildup by way of a number of rehab appearances.
“We’re trying to get him back in the rotation as soon as he’s healthy,” Ross mentioned. “But we’ll wait to see how he comes out of that start.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com