SAN FRANCISCO — Wrigley Field has been loud, even with limited crowds, and it’s about to get a whole lot louder.
The Cubs were approved Friday to return to 100% capacity at Wrigley starting June 11, receiving the go-ahead from Chicago and the state as part of Phase 5 of Illinois’ reopening plan. Both outdoor and indoor capacity restrictions will be lifted, physical distancing will no longer be required, and pod-style seating will be eliminated. However, the park’s touchless entry process, bag restrictions, mobile tickets and cashless concessions and retail will all remain.
Single-game tickets for the remainder of the Cubs’ home schedule will go on sale at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“I think it’s felt like 100% [already],” manager David Ross said before Friday’s game against the Giants. “So I can’t imagine what 100% is actually going to sound like and feel like. I’m super excited about that.”
Pederson feeling the ‘love’
Players are having fun with fans being back in the ballparks, and that includes Cubs left fielder Joc Pederson. Fans at Oracle Park blasted him with boos and chants after he crushed a two-run homer in Thursday’s loss to the Giants.
There’s no love lost for Pederson, who’s from nearby Palo Alto, California, and spent years with the rival Dodgers.
“They did not forget,” Pederson said with a chuckle. “They were gonna boo me or do whatever anyway, so I think the best thing you can do is just embrace it.”
Injury updates
Right-handed starter Trevor Williams had a follow-up appointment Thursday after undergoing an appendectomy last week and is doing well, Ross said. Williams, who is currently on the 10-day injured list, is with the team but does not yet have a timeline for returning to baseball activities.
Outfielders Jason Heyward (strained left hamstring) and Jake Marisnick (strained right hamstring) didn’t play Friday but seem to have completed their respective rehab assignments. One night after playing at Triple-A Iowa, Marisnick was taking batting practice with the Cubs on Friday in San Francisco. Both players will likely come off the injured list Saturday.
