Left fielder Ian Happ probably could’ve started the Cubs’ series finale Sunday against the Marlins, but the risk wasn’t worth the possible reward.
Happ, who is dealing with tightness in his left hamstring, was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game but was available to come off the bench. He left during the seventh inning of the Cubs’ victory Friday after feeling something in the same area that cost him much of spring training.
Wanting to avoid a prolonged regular-season absence, Happ and the Cubs decided to be cautious.
‘‘Just trying to be smart enough to get myself in a position to miss the smallest amount of games and not pushing yourself to the point where you’re going to injure it again and be out for a month or two,’’ Happ said. ‘‘That’s not what’s best for the team, so [I’m] putting myself in a position to be available as much as possible.’’
Happ and the Cubs are hopeful he’ll be ready to start Tuesday against the Astros.
Friday wasn’t the first time Happ felt an issue in the hamstring. He said it began bothering him in the final game of a three-game series Wednesday on the Diamondbacks’ firm artificial-turf field. Two extra-inning games in that series didn’t help.
‘‘I didn’t feel a specific moment,’’ Happ said. ‘‘There was nothing like that. It was just making sure that you get back and don’t put yourself in a position where you’re going to be out for a long period of time.’’
Canario’s growth
Without Happ, the Cubs have given rookie Alexander Canario an opportunity in left field. They seem intent on letting Canario learn on the job, too.
That included not pinch-hitting for him in the ninth inning of their loss Saturday in Game 1 of a doubleheader and seeing him strike out with men on base, then watching him hit a home run to igniting a comeback in Game 2.
‘‘For all of us, every experience out there should be [a learning experience], for sure,’’ manager Craig Counsell said. ‘‘It was great to see how Alex responded, certainly. Everybody wants to be the guy that gets the job done, that wins the game. Being in those moments teaches you how to be better at those moments, for sure.’’
Adbert’s new role
Erstwhile Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay pitched a perfect eighth inning after losing his ninth-inning spot. With the Cubs down 6-3, it wasn’t a high-leverage situation, but Counsell said he was glad to get Alzolay back on the mound.
‘‘A clean inning and just build on positives from the outing,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘That’s what’s important at this point. I don’t think you flip that overnight, but you just build on positives and keep building and keep adding good things and good feelings to what’s happening.’’
Injury updates
Left-hander Justin Steele threw live batting practice before the game Sunday. He has been out since Opening Day with a strained left hamstring.
Counsell said the session went ‘‘really, really well’’ and that the next step will be a stint in extended spring training in Arizona, with game action Friday.
• The Cubs said right fielder Seiya Suzuki (strained right oblique) has begun very light baseball activity. He was put on the 10-day injured list last Monday.
