Staying wholesome has been a problem at instances for right-hander Julian Merryweather.
The Chicago Cubs’ reliever at all times possessed electrical stuff, however his inconsistencies usually stemmed from unreliable mechanics and struggles to remain off the injured listing. Both areas have come collectively as Merryweather and the Cubs hoped when the group claimed him off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays in January.
“Staying within my delivery, my mechanics have had ups and downs this year, but I feel like when my mechanics are right everything comes from there,” Merryweather advised the Tribune on Tuesday earlier than the Cubs took a 17-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. “My lower half — legs and hips — really drive the whole delivery for me, just timing, my rhythm, everything comes from there, like all the velocity.”
Merryweather’s emergence as a go-to possibility in high-leverage spots will probably have groups inquiring concerning the 31-year-old if the Cubs promote on the commerce deadline. Since May 27, Merryweather owns a 2.25 ERA in 21 appearances — 5 earned runs in 20 innings — with a .206 common towards.
“I mean, the main difference this year is feeling closer to 100% most games,” mentioned Merryweather, whose fastball averages 97.7 mph. “You’re not going to really feel 100% each sport, particularly as a reliever. But simply feeling shut to truly aggressive whereas prior to now, I had nagging this, nagging that. Now I really feel like I can actually give attention to competing and dealing on my pitches and having in-game changes being made this yr has been super.
“For me, going through the growing pains of pitching in all these games and then being healthy for this amount of time, you learn a lot so it’s been great.”
Merryweather owns the perfect strikeout charge of his profession at 30.9% although he’s additionally seen an uptick in his stroll charge (12%). Merryweather’s swing-and-miss stuff is especially useful with how supervisor David Ross has utilized him. Of his 54 strikeouts getting into Tuesday’s sport, half have include runners on base. Opposing groups are batting .219 with solely two extra-base hits in 87 plate appearances in these conditions.
“If you’re in the game in those situations, that’s where you want to be,” Merryweather mentioned. “It means the team’s playing well, it means we’re ahead and winning games. So as a bullpen, we have guys that are down there that are hungry for those innings and we have guys ready to step up and get outs late in the game.”
Swanson, Madrigal proceed to work again from accidents
For a second consecutive day, Dansby Swanson (bruised left heel) and Nick Madrigal (proper hamstring pressure) took batting follow as they proceed to make progress with their accidents.
Swanson nonetheless must clear his greatest hurdle to get again on the sphere: operating. Ross mentioned Monday that ache stays in Swanson’s heel when operating. He had been eligible to come back off the injured listing Sunday.
“Progressing slowly just like you would expect with a bruised heel,” Ross mentioned. “He feels it in some things, slowing down still gives him a little trouble. He hadn’t even hit a base or anything yet, just running straight. … But pushing the envelope as much as he possibly can. We don’t want any setbacks.”
Morel scratched from lineup
In a pivotal stretch of the Cubs’ season and big-picture hopes, they can’t afford to lose some other key contributors.
Christopher Morel was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup due to neck tightness, and the crew mentioned he was obtainable off the bench. Miles Mastrobuoni as a substitute acquired the beginning at second base for Morel, who’s been getting the begins there with Nico Hoerner shifted to shortstop rather than Swanson.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com