Matt Garza needed just 75 pitches to go six innings tonight for the Iowa Cubs in a dominating performance. Garza allowed no runs, two singles, no walks (one HBP), and struck out six. Yeah. Dominating.
The question now is … does Garza return to the rotation next start? The Cubs were hoping Garza could go six tonight, and at least one observer tonight said it looked like Garza was plenty ready to return. The velocity was there, the stuff was there, and he threw plenty of pitches. This was his fourth rehab start, so we’ve entered the zone of a possible return.
The Cubs obviously want to be cautious with Garza, given his importance and value to the organization, but there’s a limited window in which to establish his trade value (should they decide to trade him). Every start potentially matters.
Of course, all of this is pending Garza feeling good after the outing and tomorrow, but so far his rehab starts have been clean in that regard.
In five days, the Cubs open a series in Pittsburgh, so, if Garza is going to return, you’d think it would be during that series.