Nick Madrigal turned the odd man out within the Chicago Cubs infield combine.
The Cubs had carried an additional place participant whereas utilizing a four-man rotation since Hayden Wesneski’s demotion to Triple-A Iowa on May 15. Kyle Hendricks’ return Thursday evening from the injured checklist to make his season debut — his first begin since July 5 — meant the bench wanted to be trimmed.
Madrigal was the casualty, optioned to Iowa because the corresponding transfer.
Manager David Ross mentioned Madrigal took the information professionally they usually had an excellent dialog during which Ross outlined his imaginative and prescient for Madrigal’s future. It begins with common enjoying time in Triple A at second and third base.
“We knew where we saw him and we knew where he stood in his thoughts,” Ross mentioned. “Nick is a really high-level player. We want to get him back to the best version of him because that’s when we’re going to be at our best.”
Madrigal’s match on the Cubs roster took successful once they signed shortstop Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million deal in December, forcing Nico Hoerner to maneuver again to second base. Madrigal spent the remainder of the offseason studying third base to enhance his defensive flexibility and create a path towards enjoying time. Bench coach Andy Green traveled to Arizona to work with Madrigal for per week.
Madrigal held his personal at third in 16 begins. The Cubs took word of how he continued to place in work defensively.
“The thing I’m most proud of for him is the way he took to third base,” Ross mentioned. “He’s played a great third base, really clean over there. That’s hard to do. That’s kind of gone unnoticed publicly. I just keep marveling at the ability for him to make so many different types of plays and the arm strength and how he’s built that up and the way his body’s moving.”
Madrigal’s contact-hitter profile offers worth when he’s locked in. During his two seasons with the White Sox earlier than hamstring surgical procedure and a commerce throughout city, Madrigal confirmed he can get on base sufficient with out a excessive stroll charge. That hasn’t occurred sufficient in a Cubs uniform.
The staff hopes he can get his timing again with common at-bats at Iowa. In 98 plate appearances this yr, Madrigal hit .247 with a .286 on-base proportion and 63 OPS+.
Patrick Wisdom and Miles Mastrobuoni will proceed to get a lot of the enjoying time at third base with Christopher Morel seeing most of his at-bats because the designated hitter.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
