Cubs’ Rowan Wick slowly getting back to baseball activities

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Right-handed reliever Rowan Wick played catch Tuesday for the first time since suffering a setback early this spring. Wick, 28, has been out with an intercostal injury that stems from a left oblique injury he suffered in September and hasn’t been able to take part in baseball activities since the Cubs started spring training.

“He’s getting better,” manager David Ross said. “He played catch with some positive feedback two days ago. I talked to him yesterday and [he] felt really good. First time he was very positive about how he felt in a while, but there’s no new medical terminology that I think that I can give you guys. I can just tell you he did play catch and felt good.”

Wick playing catch is a positive development considering the Cubs have been trying to figure out the details of his injury and why it didn’t heal during the offseason. The Cubs will take things slow with their high-leverage reliever, who probably won’t break camp with the team.

Wick is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 50 appearances since joining the Cubs in 2019.

Davies OK with increasing workload

The increase in innings from a 60-game season to 162 games in 2021 is something teams will be watching. While each pitcher will have to approach the increase in workload differently, right-hander Zach Davies isn’t concerned that it’s something he or the Cubs can’t manage.

“I’m gonna pitch every five days,” Davies said. “I’m gonna pitch until Rossy takes the ball out of my hands. If you’re performing, you’ll be out there. That’s my mindset. So I’m not too worried about staying out there. It’s just getting the season started and winning ballgames and having fun.

“I think with some guys that haven’t pitched as much, it might be a little bit different, but I’ve pitched for 10 or so years now in affiliated ball. I know what needs to be done and know how to take care of my body in between starts. And if there are times where we need to skip starts or something’s feeling off that we’ve got the guys to handle that to make sure we are healthy through the end of the season.”