CHICAGO _ Whether Craig Kimbrel joins the Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field or this weekend in Cincinnati, one aspect of his arrival will remain firm.
Kimbrel initially won't be used for more than three outs.
Joe Maddon realizes that it's been less than three weeks since Kimbrel, a seven-time All-Star closer, signed with the Cubs. But the Cubs manager remembers Aroldis Chapman reacting negatively to a four-out save in his second appearance after joining the Cubs from the Yankees in July 2016. Chapman blew a save the next day, then pitched more than one inning only once more in the regular season. In 28 regular-season appearances with the Cubs, Chapman had a 1.01 ERA and blew only one more save.
"We popped him in for three-plus (outs), and I thought that was cool," Maddon recalled. "But it wasn't. We had a discussion, and we pulled this back until we got to the latter part of the year and treated it like spring training.
"With Craig, as he gets here, he'll be slotted and very carefully. As we get to the latter part of September, if it's necessary, that's when I think you look for the four outs, I hope not five. The bullpen should hopefully avoid that by being able to absorb the eighth inning well. But (Kimbrel) will be a three-out guy when he gets here."
Kimbrel likely will make his final appearance Tuesday night for Triple-A Iowa in what President Theo Epstein described as "an important checkpoint for him see how he's feeling."
The Cubs will consult with Kimbrel before deciding his next step.
"He's such a pro and veteran that he knows himself better than anyone else," Epstein said. "Getting his input is important, and we're getting close to the point."
