Cubs’ Jason Heyward on timeline after testing hammy: ‘As soon as possible’

SHARE Cubs’ Jason Heyward on timeline after testing hammy: ‘As soon as possible’
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Heyward felt his right hamstring “pop” trying to make a diving catch on this play in Atlanta on Aug. 30.

Right fielder Jason Heyward made no promises and dodged any talk of timelines, but he seemed upbeat after the first on-field test of his injured right hamstring Monday.

Heyward, who stayed back in Chicago for treatment when the Cubs traveled to Washington last week, said his first jogging session since suffering the injury Aug. 30 went well.

‘‘It’s good stuff; the confidence is there in it,’’ Heyward said. ‘‘I just have to do the smart thing now and build my way back to running and stuff like that.

‘‘No setbacks. But I just have to do everything for them to clear me and for me to clear myself to be able to go out there and do everything I need to do to help us. It’s too late in the year to have any setbacks, so I’ve just got to be smart and make sure I’m all the way [back].’’

Back this month with a primary focus on being ready for October?

‘‘I’m just going to do everything I can to be back and play as soon as possible,’’ he said.

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Morrow still possible . . .

Closer Brandon Morrow played catch again, and team president Theo Epstein and manager Joe Maddon continued to express optimism about his return this season from a bone bruise in his right elbow.

‘‘I think it would be an open-minded situation, really relying a lot on what he says to us,’’ Maddon said a day after Morrow threw a light bullpen session.

Epstein said he expects Morrow to throw another bullpen in the next few days. Maddon said he thinks it’s possible Morrow will be back in a game by the end of the month.

. . . but Smyly not

Left-hander Drew Smyly has been shut down for the rest of the season despite making strong progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and his desire to pitch for the Cubs down the stretch. He had a strong rehab appearance before the minor-league season ended.

‘‘We want him to have the benefit of rest and a full winter,’’ said Epstein, who has Smyly penciled into the rotation picture next spring. ‘‘Once we got to the point of ruling him out as a postseason-roster candidate because he couldn’t pitch back-to-back games, it really helped dictate the decision for us.’’

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