It’s a little tough to keep up with all the action on the Cubs roster lately, especially with all the injuries, but Mike Montgomery is getting over some shoulder inflammation. He missed his last start – filled quite poorly by Tyler Chatwood – and there is an open spot on the probable pitchers for Friday.
Could that be Montgomery’s return?
Well, he’ll be eligible and his recovery is going well, but the Cubs aren’t penciling anyone in just yet:
Mike Montgomery is making good progress and probably needs one bullpen session — but no rehab starts — ahead of his return, Jim Hickey says.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) August 22, 2018
Jim Hickey remains unsure of who will start for the #Cubs this Friday. It could be a bullpen day, he says, and he thinks a half-dozen names have already been discussed for the start against the Reds.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) August 22, 2018
The concern I’d have with a bullpen day for the Cubs is that they’re in the middle of a 23-games-in-23-days stretch. Having a dedicated bullpen day could be rough. Rosters do expand to the full 40-man within a week of Friday’s game, but still – that’s pretty risky. Moreover, if it’s a bullpen day, that probably means Chatwood is involved, and I simply do not want to see him make another meaningful start for the Cubs this season. I don’t hate the guy, but it just feels like he’s broken right now, and it’s going to take an offseason reset – at least – to give him a real chance to get right.
Of course, I also wouldn’t want to see the Cubs push Montgomery to return before he’s ready. I’d imagine they’ll see if he can throw a bullpen today, and, if so, maybe he could start on Friday. Otherwise, I’d rather just see a AAA arm come up and take the start. Luke Farrell is scheduled to pitch today and Alec Mills is scheduled to pitch tomorrow, so keep an eye on whether either of those guys is scratched. Trevor Clifton is also pitching tomorrow, though he’s not yet on the 40-man roster. Duane Underwood last started on the 17th, though he’s had something of a rough August.
We’ll see where the Cubs land, and I expect we’ll know more by this evening.