After a successful bullpen session on Saturday, Jake Arrieta is getting back up on the mound today in Tampa Bay. No, he’s not back in the rotation yet, but the hope is that he will be when the Cubs head to Milwaukee for a pivotal four-game series this weekend.
Jake Arrieta (hamstring) will throw a light bullpen session today as the Cubs hopeful they'll have a final… https://t.co/htgNQrEmjA
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 19, 2017
Arrieta to throw light pen today. Assuming he responds well, expected to be scheduled for a return to rotation Thurs or Friday in Milwaukee
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 19, 2017
Arrieta, Lackey (in no particular order) appear lined up to start 1st 2 games of Brewers series.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) September 19, 2017
Assuming Arrieta feels good today and early tomorrow, he should make his return from a September 4 hamstring injury in the next few days. That will give Arrieta the opportunity to make three starts, if necessary, before the postseason begins.
Before his mild hamstring strain, Arrieta was on fire, earning NL Pitcher of the Month honors for August, and continuing a stretch of dominance that went back to May. In July and August combined (before his injury), Arrieta posted a 1.69 ERA over 69.1 innings, as his soft contact rate soared and his hard contact rate plummeted. He looked like a guy we recognized.
Hopefully upon his return, with a little extra rest for the arm, Arrieta can continue being that guy on into the playoffs. His mechanics are notoriously complicated, so you don’t want to see them thrown out of whack by a leg injury.
It’s a good sign, though, that he’s back this quickly. Two weeks for a hamstring strain, even a very mild one, is an extremely speedy return.
UPDATE (Michael): According to Gordon Wittenmyer on Twitter, Arrieta’s session went well and he does, indeed, expect to start on Thursday (albeit on a 75-80 pitch count):
Arrieta says pen went well. Expects to start Thursday at Milw (75-80p), make 3 starts before playoffs. pic.twitter.com/wHd9uZAtz1
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 19, 2017
That’s great news.