Big Anniversaries Today, Contreras’s Ankle, Wick’s Role, Hughes’ Development, and Other Cubs Bullets

August 12 provides a trio of notable anniversaries around here, though I’ll admit that you’re probably least interested in the one that’s most important to me: The Wife and I got hitched 16 years ago today. Our marriage is now old enough to drive. They grow up so fast. Thanks for putting up with my ridiculousness for so long, dear.

The other big anniversaries of the day? Well, one really bad one:

And one REALLY good one:

Hey, today is ALSO Ian Happ’s 28th birthday. Lotta good and important stuff on August 12!

Other Cubs Bullets …

  • So I guess Willson Contreras is OK? That turned ankle last night looked so bad in the moment, both the extent to which is bent the wrong way, and Contreras’s instant fall to the ground. He was clearly in significant pain – so much that he didn’t even make an attempt to get back to the base before being tagged out. It seemed certain that he was leaving the game. And then he strapped on the catcher gear and got right back behind the plate. To my eye, he was a little ginger at the plate thereafter when he put the ball in play, but maybe I was just looking for it. With the (weird) off-day today to rest up, maybe he’ll be fine tomorrow, too. I do wonder if there’s going to be more swelling and discomfort when he wakes up today. Hopefully it just looked bad, and nothing more comes of it.
  • Told you Nick Madrigal just needed to spend some time in Iowa:
  • After another multi-hit game, Madrigal’s season numbers are creep-creep-creeping back up. They were in such a hole, though, that even after his scorching week+, he’s still hitting only .250/.299/.281/65 wRC+. But hey, that wRC+ was 41 just eight games ago, so I guess the heavy reminder there is that these are all tiny samples (the good and the bad). Just 134 plate appearances so far this year.
  • Rowan Wick, who hasn’t allowed a run in over a month, has been looking mighty good in what has pretty clearly become his early audition for the closer’s job in 2023. The Cubs may back their way into signing a veteran closer in the offseason if there is some bargain they can’t pass up or some pitcher their R&D guys really want the club to target (clearly, they’re good at that). But absent that, it’s going to be an internally-filled role, and Wick appears to have David Ross’s early trust (and we’ve seen before that the Cubs want Wick to be the guy).
  • A couple stray things about Wick that you might not realize: he is arbitration-eligible after the season and has just three seasons of team control left, he turns 30 in November, and this season has already blown away his past seasons for most big league innings pitched. I genuinely don’t mean anything by those factoids, I just get the sense that some folks might not realize exactly where he is in his career right now.
  • Speaking of relievers who could be in positions of prominence next year, Brandon Hughes looked as good as ever last night in two innings of relief. If Hughes takes the next step in 2023 (for a back-end reliever with his stuff, the next step would be a little more consistency), he’s going to be an exceptional setup man. What a story for a guy who was an outfielder in Low-A just four years ago.
  • Amazon’s College Essentials deals are right here, with all you might need for the dorm room (or just if you want, like, a mini-fridge next to your couch – who am I to judge?).
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

    A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

    Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

    We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

    Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

    I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

    Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

    The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

    *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 this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

    The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

    (Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

    Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

    A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

    It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

    Latest News

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are fancied by oddsmakers to defeat the Buffalo Sabres when they match up on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, with the Canucks at -205 on the moneyline, and the visiting Sabres at +170.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline,...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

    more cubs news