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Jesse Rogers, ESPN Workers Author
CHICAGO — The Cubs are inching nearer to getting two of their higher hitters again from damage, supervisor Craig Counsell introduced Saturday morning.
Outfielders Cody Bellinger (ribs) and Seiya Suzuki (indirect) might be again with the staff as quickly as subsequent week.
“Belli is just a little forward of Suzuki,” Counsell stated earlier than the Cubs hosted the Milwaukee Brewers. “We’re going by means of baseball actions, ensuring they really feel good popping out of that after which progressing.”
Suzuki, 29, has been out since mid-April after tweaking his indirect operating to first base, whereas Bellinger, 28, has missed the previous two weeks after colliding right into a brick wall whereas monitoring down a fly ball.
“What is the ache?” Counsell stated of Bellinger’s day by day progress. “If it is nothing, simply progress extra.”
The Cubs have struggled offensively with out their two stars, averaging just below 3.5 runs per recreation since Bellinger’s damage. Suzuki, particularly, was off to a terrific begin to his season earlier than taking place. His OPS-plus of 152 was tops on the staff — nevertheless it’s the second 12 months in a row he has had an indirect ailment, so the Cubs shall be cautious earlier than he returns.
“He bought harm on the bases, so he’ll have to do some operating earlier than he returns,” Counsell stated.
Chicago was hopeful minor league slugger Matt Mervis would assist fill the void on the plate, however the Cubs despatched him again all the way down to Triple-A after he hit .115 in 9 video games.
“Matt struggled,” Counsell stated. “We’re searching for manufacturing, and we simply did not get it. It is unlucky.”
The Cubs will proceed to rotate gamers out and in of the designated hitter position. Infielder Patrick Knowledge will get an opportunity towards Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers on Saturday. Normally, his enjoying time comes strictly towards left-handed pitchers, however the Cubs are operating out of choices till their injured gamers return.
The Brewers added to their injured listing Saturday. Outfielder Joey Wiemer is on the 10-day IL with left knee discomfort. Milwaukee additionally optioned right-hander Corbin Martin to Triple-A Nashville and known as up infielder Andruw Monasterio and left-hander Jared Koenig.
