Cubs say Garza timetable still uncertain

DENVER — The Cubs still are in no rush to have Matt Garza start a throwing program, nearly two months after he was shut down because of a “stress reaction” in a bone near his elbow.

And whether he’ll be ready for full participation when spring training starts could be influenced by that timeline.

“We’re still getting to the bottom of that,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “The reports we’ve gotten so far have been positive.”

The injury hasn’t fully healed, Hoyer said. But because the nature of the injury doesn’t involve a rehabilitation process, his prognosis is all about leaving enough time to rebuild stamina after a long layoff.

“We’re certainly hopeful he’s 100 percent [for spring training],” Hoyer said. “We won’t be able to really assess that until later on.”

Garza isn’t throwing, but he’s with the team continuing therapy and exercises with the arm under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.