The Cubs might soon get a couple lefties back in the mix, with Jon Lester plausibly going to return from his hamstring issue the next time through the rotation, and now Mike Montgomery nearing a return from his lat injury.
Montgomery is set to make a rehab appearance tonight at South Bend, figuring to get in an inning or two of work. After that, the Cubs will evaluate where things stand in his readiness to return, or whether he needs another minor league appearance or two. A happy complication is that his wife is due to give birth soon, too (Cubs.com), which could make the return timing a little unpredictable.
Montgomery, 29, was slowed in Spring Training by shoulder stiffness, and the came out of the gate with good velocity and normal spin, but was getting absolutely hammered. You pretty much *hoped* something physically (mild) was off with him, so perhaps he just needed a little more time to rest and recover and ramp up.
When Montgomery returns, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bump lefty Randy Rosario back to AAA Iowa (options remaining), with lefty Tim Collins (impressive so far) sticking around.
UPDATE: Sure enough, the outing is being pushed back, but for a lovely reason:
JUST IN: Chicago Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery's rehabilitation assignment has been pushed back after his wife gave birth this morning. Montgomery could pitch in Wednesday's game vs. Great Lakes.
— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) April 16, 2019
Congrats to the Montgomery family!