I don’t talk about it much, which is odd, because I pretty much talk about everything in this space, but I’ve been dealing with a shoulder injury for a very long time thanks to poor tennis-related decisions last year. I think I avoided discussing it because it was the first “injury” I’ve ever had that made me wonder if I was going to be negatively impacted for the rest of my life. It made me feel the process of aging, and I didn’t really like to think about it when I didn’t have to. Doctors, months of physical therapy, and all that stuff.
I mention it now because it’s made me appreciate how crazy it is what some pitchers go through. My injury was rotator cuff damage, but not any kind of total tear or catastrophic injury. And I’m not trying to get back to a place where I can throw a fastball 90+ mph. Yet it still took me nearly six months of physical therapy, and then several (still ongoing) months of dedicated shoulder exercise to get me back to a place where I can at least avoid/tolerate most of the discomfort when I’m playing tennis or playing with my kids. More than ever, I just can’t imagine the work that goes into pitchers coming back from arm injuries, and I appreciate how impressive post-injury performance is.
And, for the rest of you regular folks out there like me: make sure you strengthen your muscles throughout your life. If you don’t, at some point, your joints will rebel.
I’m not sure this was ever really in question, but Nick Cafardo confirms with David Ross that the Cubs’ back-up catcher does intend to return to the Cubs next year, honoring the second year of his two-year, $5 million contract. Even if retiring was on the table, Ross would be forgoing $2.5 million to do it, and that doesn’t sound like a great financial decision. From the Cubs’ perspective, they will have the option of simply letting Ross go and eating the rest of the contract, but I suspect they’ll be content to keep Ross on the roster heading into 2016 when his total value is considered. Yes, his bat fell off a cliff last year (.176/.267/.252), and he didn’t even hit lefties well when he had occasion to be platooned, but his defense was as good as ever, he was one of the top pitch-framers in baseball, he was a rock in the clubhouse, and he remains the guy Jon Lester wants behind the plate. On the balance, I’m still comfortable with Ross being the Cubs’ back-up catcher next year, though I’ll admit I do wish the Cubs had the ability to utilize match-ups a little more, rather than having to start Ross every time Lester starts, no matter what. Nothing is assured, of course, and I can imagine a scenario where, by midseason, it looks like Kyle Schwarber should be getting more starts behind the plate, and/or Willson Contreras looks ready to contribute in the bigs, and Ross is let go. But I can also imagine a scenario where Ross simply repeats for all of 2016 the guy he was in 2015, which was a solid – overall – back-up catcher.
Clayton Richard was a nice addition for the Cubs this year, and he talks about finally feeling healthy and adjusting to the bullpen (CSN). As we’ve discussed, Richard makes for an interesting arbitration decision – if you buy him as a quality reliever and possible swing guy, then tendering him is a pretty easy call, even if he’ll require a 40-man spot and could make anywhere from $1 to $2 million.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...
The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...
If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...
Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...
As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...
Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...
Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...
Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...
Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....
Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...
The Minnesota Twins (6-11), with Joe Ryan on the mound, host the Detroit Tigers (10-9) who will start Jack Flaherty, at 8:10 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...
On Friday, in a series opener at Kauffman Stadium, Dean Kremer starts for the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) against Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals (12-7), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch...
William Contreras and the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6) visit Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) at 8:15 PM ET on Friday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Milwaukee-St. Louis matchup below.When is Brewers vs. Cardinals and when does...
The Indiana Pacers are slight 1-point favorites heading into Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, starting at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. The matchup's over/under is set...
The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers meet to start the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ABC at 3:30 PM ET. The matchup...
The New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Knicks are favored by 3 points in the matchup, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 6:00 PM ET....
The Chicago Bulls are slight 1.5-point underdogs heading into Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat at FTX Arena on Friday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. The matchup's over/under is...
The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8), led by Trea Turner, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-15) on Friday at 6:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Philadelphia-Chicago matchup in the article below.When is Phillies vs....
The Atlanta Braves (12-5), who will give the start to Chris Sale, host the Texas Rangers (11-9) with Andrew Heaney on the mound, Friday at 7:20 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...
In a series opener on Friday, Triston McKenzie will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) versus Joseph Boyle and the Oakland Athletics (8-11), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.The article below will provide...
NEWSLETTER
I don’t talk about it much, which is odd, because I pretty much talk about everything in this space, but I’ve been dealing with a shoulder injury for a very long time thanks to poor tennis-related decisions last year. I think I avoided discussing it because it was the first “injury” I’ve ever had that made me wonder if I was going to be negatively impacted for the rest of my life. It made me feel the process of aging, and I didn’t really like to think about it when I didn’t have to. Doctors, months of physical therapy, and all that stuff.
