McKinstry and Madrigal, Hoerner’s Arm, Amaya’s Ankle, Reyes’s Pipes, and Other Cubs Bullets

The Chicago Bears are UNDEFEATED. That was a pretty darn thrilling comeback win in the rain, and seeing the players do the slip and slide celebration at the end reminded Luis of a certain tarp moment in Cubs history.

Nicely played, Luis:

  • Zack McKinstry had, easily, his biggest and best game with the Cubs last night, singling twice, doubling, and tripling. It’s kinda nuts how much of a dent that one game made in his season-long production (in what has been a bit of a disaster at the plate): from .160/.233/.266/41 wRC+ all the way up to .192/.259/.323/63 wRC+. That’s barely lower than what Nick Madrigal has done this year with the Cubs (.249/.305/.282/69 wRC+), and it leaves him very much on the fence about a 40-man spot this offseason. His defensive versatility is going to help, though he’s out of minor league options for next year.
  • Speaking of Nick Madrigal, it’s not all that clear, even if his groin strain is “mild,” that he is going to be back this season:
  • The latest injury doesn’t really change the calculation on how the Cubs could/should proceed with respect to their infield this offseason. Like I said even when things were going well for Madrigal after he came back from the last groin strain: the Cubs cannot act this offseason as if they have second base totally locked down by Madrigal. That would be imprudent not only because Madrigal has not shown with the Cubs that he should be viewed as that guy, but also because locking Madrigal into second base makes it all the more difficult for the Cubs to add a top infield free agent – i.e., among the ways to do it, the Cubs could target a top shortstop, and then have the flexibility to move Nico Hoerner to second base with some regularity.
  • Speaking of Hoerner, here’s hoping his triceps tightness is not a serious issue. Here’s what Hoerner said after the game, referencing a diving play and throw before he was removed (Cubs.com): “There was] no like moment where it was like I felt anything get hurt. But just after the play it was tight through that area. I went downstairs between innings, talked to the training staff and decided it’d be best just to check back in tomorrow and see where I’m at.”
  • If you didn’t already know how delightful Franmil Reyes is, you certainly got a taste last night when he was mic’d up on the ESPN broadcast. Just a big bundle of light-hearted fun, talking about eating mac and cheese with his bare hands, about the joy and privilege of playing baseball for a living, and a little serenade:
  • Are you kidding me with this:
  • I’ll wait until we hear more before I get too bummed, but immediately getting tests never sounds good, at a minimum in the short-term. Suddenly, I’d be surprised if Amaya’s season – which had been going so freaking well when healthy – isn’t over. As Bryan says, now the big question is the AFL, which was pretty huge for his development, since he was finally going to get back behind the plate.
  • Wilmer Flores, 31, has been a solid utility man for the Giants for a couple years now – can play corner infield spots well enough, slightly above-average offensive production – and they’re bringing him back for a couple more years:
  • 24 years ago today, and wondering whether we’ll see a new addition this year in Aaron 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

    Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

    A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

    Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

    On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

    MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

    There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

    Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

    A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

    The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

    We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

    My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

    Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

    Aaron Boone Just Got Ejected Despite Saying Literally Nothing

    I know that sometimes there is a history between an umpire and a manager. I know that sometimes a manager can subtly get under the skin of an umpire without doing much that we can see or hear. And I...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024: Weekend Wrap

    Let's get caught up on all of the action down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (13-8) The Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Louisville Bats...

    Looking at the Positives, Bellinger and Morel Streaking (in Opposite Directions), and Other Cubs Bullets

    What started as a small convo for the bullets ballooned into a deeper dive on Kyle Hendricks, what's going wrong, and where the Cubs go from here. So if you're looking for the Hendricks discussion, that was earlier today. Despite...

    Latest 2024 MLB Mock Draft Lands the Cubs a Top Prospect Out of Wake Forest

    Baseball America today released its updated (version 2.0) 2024 MLB mock draft. With more of the amateur season taking place, we are starting to see more of the top tier become firmly crystalized with eight names, none of whom are...

    Latest News

    Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Carolina Hurricanes are -155 on the moneyline against the New York Islanders (+130) on Thursday, despite this matchup taking place at UBS Arena in Elmont.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-155)Underdog: Islanders (+130)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Islanders Promo...

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    The Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins play on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and the bookmakers have the home team at -115 and the visitor at -105.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-115)Underdog: Bruins (-105)Total:...

    How to Watch Giants vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, in a series opener at Oracle Park, Logan Webb takes the mound for the San Francisco Giants (10-13) against Luis Severino and the New York Mets (12-9), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET.Keep reading to find...

    Orioles vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Grayson Rodriguez will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (14-7) when they visit starter Griffin Canning and the Los Angeles Angels (9-13) on Tuesday, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need...

    Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Texas Rangers are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series, with the action getting underway at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday, April 23.Rangers vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rangers Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 8:05 PM ET...

    Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Houston Astros will be on the road, beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Astros Series Info Astros @ Cubs Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs...

    WATCH: The End of Knicks-76ers Game 2 Was Pure Chaos

    The New York Knicks just took a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in a sequence you'll just have to see to believe. With roughly 30 seconds left on the clock down 101-96, the Knicks looked destined to walk out...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Michael King will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (12-12) against Ryan Feltner and the Colorado Rockies (5-17), with first pitch scheduled for 8:40 PM ET at Coors Field.The article below will...

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Seattle Mariners (11-11), led by Mitch Haniger, visit Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers (12-11) at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.See how to watch the Seattle-Texas matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Rangers and when does...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Cubs: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday, J.P. France will take the mound for the Houston Astros (7-16) versus Jordan Wicks and the Chicago Cubs (13-9), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the...

    more cubs news