Javier Assad took the rotation spot vacated Thursday night when Jameson Taillon went on the 15-day injured list with a mild-to-moderate groin strain.
But the bigger development might occur Saturday, when Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to throw three innings in extended spring training in Arizona.
Cubs president Jed Hoyer confirmed that Hendricks, who’s recovering from a strained right shoulder, has regained his velocity to the high-80 mph range, which could make his signature changeup more effective.
Assad, recalled from Triple-A Iowa, allowed solo home runs to Max Muncy and James Outman and labored through three innings.
But Outman delivered the biggest blow in the ninth. He smacked a grand slam off Michael Fulmer as the Dodgers seized a 6-2 victory that snapped the Cubs’ four-game winning streak.
“They got the big hit, a couple of walks there,” Cubs manager David Ross said.
The Cubs have been on a crusade to build starting-pitching depth, and Hendricks’ return — which might occur before Memorial Day — would provide much-welcomed experience.
“It’s a matter of building up stamina,” Hoyer said.
Meanwhile, Ross hoped that Taillon’s stint on the IL would be “minimal.” That might be extremely optimistic, given that Taillon felt discomfort after playing catch that turned to tightness shortly after treatments loosened the muscles.
The Cubs have a day off Monday, but Ross wasn’t sure if the Cubs would skip Assad’s turn and keep the other four starters on their regular turn every five days.
The start of the game was delayed by 1 hour, 4 minutes.
Daniel Palencia, one of the organization’s top prospects, left his start Wednesday for Double-A Tennessee after two innings. Hoyer didn’t disclose why Palencia departed early.
Thanks for the memories
The Oakland Athletics’ announcement of an agreement to purchase 49 acres of land to build a stadium in Las Vegas brought disappointment to Nico Hoerner, who might have played his last game in his hometown Wednesday.
“Kind of crazy timing to play there for the first time, but also being the end is a bit of a whirlwind,” Hoerner said. “It’s definitely disappointing, I think for Oakland and for baseball in general. I’m very proud to be from Oakland, and there’s a lot of history there in baseball. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the ability to keep their star players and invest in that group.
“It’s definitely sad that the Raiders, Warriors and A’s are all gone in a span of 10 years.”
Hoerner didn’t disappoint family members and friends. He went 6-for-15 with two doubles in the Cubs’ three-game sweep.
“I’m really glad I got to play there and share with a lot of people I grew up with and helped me get to this point,” Hoerner said. “It was a special series for me.”
