Early Indications on Jason Hammel Look Good

jason hammel feature

On Memorial Day, Cubs pitchers shut out the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0, while holding their offense to just one hit and one walk over the full nine innings.

Unfortunately, the starter, Jason Hammel, was only able to contribute 2.0 innings to the effort, because he was taken out with right hamstring discomfort while warming up for the third.

He has since reported feeling both fine and optimistic – and the bullpen did rally to throw seven perfect innings thereafter – but Cubs fans were rightfully concerned when Hammel left his start, because they’ve seen this exact situation before.

Last season, you’ll recall, Hammel left his start on July 8 with some discomfort in the lower portion of his left hamstring and was never quite the same after he returned. If you found yourself extra sensitive yesterday, then, it is understandable.

However, from multiple reports (here, here and here), yesterday’s incident appears to have been a run-of-the-mill leg cramp that shouldn’t affect his upcoming start (at least, in terms of his ability to make it).

[adinserter block=”1″]

Leading the I swear it was nothing serious charge is Jason Hammel himself. “As of right now, it felt like a cramp,” Hammel said via multiple reports. “Obviously, we’ll wait and see how it feels [Tuesday]. I’m very optimistic that it was just a cramp.” Maddon later added that the Cubs feel confident in Hammel’s ability to make his next start (they said that last year, and he did make his next start, sorta – more on that in a bit) and he genuinely does not sound overly concerned.

Sometimes a cramp is just a cramp.

More encouragingly, Maddon commented that, even though they really thought it was just a simple hamstring cramp (it was hot and humid yesterday), they couldn’t exactly sit there and wait it out as long as it would take. At some point, they were going to have to make a decision, so Maddon pulled the trigger and brought in Travis Wood.

And Travis Wood did an excellent job. With his unexpected appearance and injury-rushed warmup, Wood threw four perfect innings of baseball in relief and it didn’t go unnoticed by Hammel (who also added some further confirmation that the cramping is nothing serious):

[adinserter block=”2″]

Speaking of Wood, Joe Maddon indicated that either he or Trevor Cahill would be the pitchers to step into the rotation, should Hammel ultimately require some time off. And although the early signs are pointing away from a DL stint or rotation shuffling, that is hardly a guarantee.

If you recall Hammel’s 2015 hamstring injury (to the opposite leg), Hammel didn’t technically miss a start, but did receive a lot of time off. Because his injury occurred on July 8, the Cubs were able to cruise into the All-Star Break without Hammel and then rearrange the rotation so that he pitched on the fifth day back. All in all, Hammel didn’t pitch for thirteen days that time. And it’s not as if those days weren’t clearly needed.

Up until that point, Hammel had pitched brilliantly for the Cubs (2.89 ERA), but he was clearly affected by the hamstring injury last season (5.10 ERA in the second half), even after an MRI revealed nothing serious whatsoever.

[adinserter block=”3″]

So cautious optimism will be the conclusion today. It’s quite possible that this was a single, isolated, weather-induced incident that will neither reoccur nor negatively impact his future performance. Or, of course, it could be something closer to last season’s outcome. I will say that the comments and suggestions surrounding this year’s incident are far less pessimistic than last year’s (and those weren’t even all that bad).

Hammel’s next scheduled start comes on Saturday, June 4 against the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field (1:20 CT) and I’m tentatively expecting him to make that start. With any luck, after a few weeks, this won’t even be something we remember.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The New York Mets (0-0) host the Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) in an Opening Day contest at 1:40 PM ET on Friday.The Brewers will call on Freddy Peralta against the Mets and Jose Quintana.Brewers vs. Mets Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen:...

Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

more cubs news