The Cubs’ trade for closer Aroldis Chapman looks even more significant after former closer Hector Rondon began feeling triceps “tightness” Sunday in Oakland.
Rondon, who moved to the primary setup role with Chapman’s arrival two weeks ago, has been held out of action the past two games because of the soreness that manager Joe Maddon said is not consider serious.
He’s to be re-evaluated Wednesday.
“Nobody in the training room feels anything is seriously wrong with him,” Maddon said. “We just want to be a little bit careful with him.”
Rondon, who twice underwent lengthy recoveries from reconstructive elbow surgery early in his career, said he plans to resume throwing Wednesday.
“It’s not an issue,” he said. “But I feel a little tired and tight too. So I prefer to doing my treadmill [instead of throwing] and see how I feel [Wednesday].”
The team needed only eight outs from its bullpen the last two games combined.
Notes: Reliever Justin Grimm was optioned to Iowa as the Cubs activated Jason Hammel from the bereavement list ahead of Wednesday’s start. … The Cubs have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract, pending a medical evaluation, with right-hander Josh Collmenter, the Diamondbacks’ 2015 Opening Day starter who was released over the weekend.
