Cubs injury update: Ian Happ take BP on field, Caleb Kilian and Nick Madrigal have MRI exams

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs left fielder Ian Happ took batting practice on the field Wednesday, a sign he’s advancing in his rehab program.

‘‘It’s going to be a slow process,’’ said Happ, who has been sidelined with a strained left hamstring since Friday. ‘‘Just spring training, [so] not going to push anything. But feeling good. Been doing a lot of work in the weight room, training room. Good to be back on the field taking swings, but it all feels good and healthy.’’

Happ and manager Craig Counsell have expressed confidence that the injury shouldn’t affect Happ’s status for Opening Day.

‘‘Plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day,’’ Happ said. ‘‘We have experience with this now, a couple of shortened springs, so just working off that.’’

In recent years, MLB players have made do with spring trainings condensed by the pandemic and the MLB lockout. Happ also had a procedure in February 2022 (amid the lockout) to clean up loose bodies in his right elbow, further limiting his ramp-up that year.

‘‘It’s not about total number of at-bats; it’s about seeing the ball and just clipping a couple the way that you want to,’’ Happ said. ‘‘And then once I do that, I feel really comfortable.’’

Happ has played in four spring games this season, mostly recently last Thursday.

He said he felt tightness in his hamstring during an outfield drill while running back on a fly ball. Then when he played in the game, he didn’t feel like he could ‘‘get up to top speed.’’

Kilian has shoulder injury

Pitching prospect Caleb Kilian left his start Tuesday against the Royals with discomfort in his right shoulder, Counsell said. Kilian had an MRI exam Wednesday.

‘‘We’re gonna wait on results, obviously,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘But it’s concerning that we’re sending a pitcher for an MRI on his shoulder.’’

Kilian exited after giving up a base hit on a 3-2 curveball in the third inning. Counsell said he, catcher Joe Hudson and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy picked up on ‘‘some mannerisms on the mound that weren’t normal.’’

When Counsell went out with a trainer to check on Kilian, he told them that he had started feeling discomfort two pitches before and that it wasn’t getting better.

Madrigal ailment

Third baseman Nick Madrigal had an MRI exam on his right hamstring. He reported cramping in his leg Monday and exited the Cubs’ game against the Padres. But when he came in the next morning to follow up, the Cubs decided on imaging to gather more information.

‘‘Prior to the MRI, I don’t want to diagnose it,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘We’re thinking we’re in pretty good shape here, but we’re going to be cautious with the time of the year and his history.’’

Madrigal had surgery in 2021 to repair tears in his right hamstring and has had several shorter stints on the injured list for muscle strains since.

Cubs 6, Angels 5

In his second spring start, Cubs left-hander Justin Steele allowed three runs (two earned) in three innings. He gave up two hits, one of which was a home run to former Cub Jake Marisnick on a hanging changeup. Steele was working on his changeup and sinker, secondary pitches he doesn’t rely on as much in the regular season. He said he was happy with some of the other changeups he threw, and he got a whiff on a sinker to Mickey Moniak.

• Cody Bellinger made his spring debut, serving as the designated hitter for the Cubs (6-6-1). Bellinger, who signed a three-year, $80 million contract last week to return to Chicago, received a warm ovation from the Cubs fans in attendance. He went 0-for-2 but scored a run after working an 11-pitch walk in the fifth inning.

• Third baseman Christopher Morel had his shakiest defensive game of the spring. He committed two errors, dropping a low line drive for the first and sailing a throw to first base for the second. At the plate, Morel went 2-for-3 with a double.

• On deck: Cubs at Reds, 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Goodyear, Marquee, Hayden Wesneski vs. Hunter Greene.