CINCINNATI — The Cubs are expected to assess their pitching needs over the next few days, on the way to deciding whether to activate left-hander Jordan Wicks from the 15-day injured list or send him back to Triple-A for another rehab start.
“We’ve had, frankly, two shorter starts the last two nights,” manager Craig Counsell said before the Cubs’ 8-4 loss Thursday against the Reds. “So just want to make sure we’re covered down there and getting guys appropriate rest.”
Having Wicks come out of the bullpen is one of the options the Cubs have discussed as he nears a return from a left forearm strain. He has yet to record a relief appearance in his college or professional career. But temporarily moving the rookie to the bullpen would be a far less radical move than making veteran Kyle Hendricks a reliever, which the Cubs have already done.
“I have no issues with it, at all,” Wicks said of the possibility. “I made it clear to them, I’m available whatever role they need me in to throw whenever they need me to. Whatever’s best for us to help us win games.”
“I have no issues with it, at all,” Wicks said of the possibility. “I made it clear to them, I’m available whatever role they need me in to throw whenever they need me to. Whatever’s best for us to help us win games.”
As the Cubs continue to prefer to operate on a six-day rotation with five regular starters, versatile pitchers who can both start and throw out of the bullpen have been vital in maintaining that schedule. Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski have served in those roles at times this season.
“We call it the Javier Assad method,” Wicks said, referencing the righty who thrived in a multifaceted role last year. “You try to be as effective out of the ’pen as you are starting because it is not easy. But I think the beauty of being able to do that, especially as young guys, is hopefully to give us some flexibility as a team.”
It’s difficult, though, over an extended period of time to keep more than one multi-inning reliever stretched out for a starter-like workload. Wesneski, for example, hasn’t pitched two-plus innings in a game since mid-May. So before starting again, he would need time to build up.
“One of the things we have to consider is keeping [Wicks] stretched out,” Counsell said. “That’s definitely going to factor into this decision. We need to have someone stretched out if something happens in the rotation.”
Wicks said he felt “really good” throwing a bullpen session Wednesday.
Tough break for Madrigal
Third baseman Nick Madrigal was diagnosed with a fracture in his left hand after exiting Wednesday’s game with Triple-A Iowa in the fourth inning. He will head to Chicago to be examined and consider next steps, Counsell said.
“It’s a person on the 40-man roster that you can’t count on for a while,” Counsell said.
The Cubs optioned Madrigal on Sunday and called up infielder David Bote.
With Madrigal sidelined, the Cubs’ other minor-league middle-infield and third-base options on the 40-man roster are Miles Mastrobuoni and Luis Vazquez
Almonte to throw off mound
Reliever Yency Almonte (strained right shoulder) is headed to Arizona to continue his injury rehab. He’ll build up in a mound progression at the team’s spring-training complex.
