NEWSLETTER
A couple nice updates to pass along on the Cubs injury front, even as other clubs get scary updates this Spring.
First, David Bote is going to resume baseball activity today after taking a pitch off the helmet this weekend (Bastian). If things go well today, Bote could be back in a Spring game tomorrow. And he’s feeling chirpy:
Maddon on Bote: "He came in my office chirping. He looked very good."
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 26, 2019
Bote said he is not in MLB concussion protocol. Cleared. No symptoms. Said Bumgarner called and texted to check on him and apologize.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 26, 2019
Next, Mike Montgomery is back on the mound today after missing some time with shoulder stiffness:
Montgomery (shoulder stiffness) throws from a mound for the first time since the Cubs backed up his spring throwing progression the first week of camp.
He's still expected to be ready to open the season on time, barring anything more serious.— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 26, 2019
If Montgomery feels normal after his mound session, the Cubs would probably still have time to stretch him out as a starter this spring if they wanted – a healthy Montgomery is probably starter number six, and you’d want him ready for April if there were a late injury in the rotation. But if the Cubs figure he’s extremely likely to head to the bullpen in any case, and feel comfortable enough with the other sixth starter options (Tyler Chatwood? Jen-Ho Tseng? Alec Mills? Duane Underwood, Jr.?), maybe they just work him up as a reliever the rest of the spring, given this shoulder issue.
We’ll see. Hopefully he feels good after this session in any case, as he’s an extremely important arm, whatever role he fills.
