The first check of the Chicago Cubs beginning pitching depth has arrived.
Jameson Taillon, who was scheduled to begin Thursday at Wrigley Field, was positioned on the 15-day injured record with a left groin pressure.
The transfer was retroactive to Monday, and the Cubs imagine the right-hander shall be able to return quickly after he’s eligible. The Cubs known as up Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa to take Taillon’s place within the rotation, and Assad began Thursday towards the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Last year we didn’t have enough depth to withstand that,” crew President Jed Hoyer mentioned of Taillon’s damage. “Hopefully this year we have guys like Javy, and hopefully Kyle (Hendricks) comes back soon. It can never be an excuse. You have to have guys ready to fill those spots.”
Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million deal over the winter and is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three begins. He threw 5 shutout innings Saturday towards the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Manager David Ross mentioned Taillon felt some ache whereas enjoying catch on flat floor Sunday in Oakland, Calif. Assad started the season within the Cubs bullpen earlier than being despatched to Iowa, the place he made one begin, permitting two runs in 2 ⅔ innings on April 14.
Hendricks, getting back from proper shoulder surgical procedure, is scheduled to throw about three innings or 45 pitches in a bullpen outing Saturday on the Cubs spring complicated in Mesa, Ariz. He probably would start a minor-league rehab stint if he feels OK afterward.
Hendricks would wish at the very least two rehab begins to get to 75 pitches and be able to return to the Cubs. The Cubs gave no timetable, but when he proceeds with no issues, Hendricks might be again by the second week of May.
“Right now it’s not a matter of health,” Hoyer mentioned. “It’s a matter of building up his stamina.”
Hendricks’ four-seam fastball has hit 90 mph throughout some bullpen classes, a number of ticks above his typical velocity the final two years. Hoyer mentioned that was by design.
“Actually we slowed him down in a way to work on his velocity,” he mentioned. “There was a collection of conversations within the spring. His velo had been form of creeping down the final couple years, and we wish to push his velocity up as a lot as attainable.
“When he was winning ERA titles he was touching 90. … He’s not (Oakland A’s rookie) Mason Miller throwing 102 mph, but when he throws 88-90, his changeup is that much more effective.”
The Cubs rotation entered Thursday with a 2.96 ERA, rating third within the majors.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com