The case of tender hamstrings could set up a Game 3 showdown between Jake Arrieta of the Cubs and Max Scherzer of the Nationals in the National League Division Series.
In the case of the Cubs, Arrieta's availability could be a best-case scenario as he now will pitch a bullpen session Wednesday instead of a simulated game.
"It's just an indication we don't want to push him right now," manager Joe Maddon said of Arrieta, who missed 2 { weeks because of a Grade 1 right hamstring strain and admittedly altered his delivery during his last start on Sept. 26 to compensate for the lack of full strength in his leg.
"We thought we could control it more in a (bullpen session) as opposed to a 'sim' game, which we didn't think was that impactful," Maddon said.
Maddon replied "no" when asked whether this will affect Arrieta's chances of making the NLDS roster, adding that he didn't aggravate his injury in his last start.
But if Arrieta is deemed not healthy enough to pitch, that could open a spot in the rotation for John Lackey, whose status hasn't been determined yet, Maddon said.
Lackey, 38, has made 446 starts and only two relief appearances during his 15-year major league career.
Meanwhile, Scherzer plans to test his right hamstring Wednesday in a bullpen session. Scherzer left his final start of the regular season Saturday with a hamstring issue.
"Oh, I'm pitching in the NLDS," Scherzer said. "I'm pitching in the NLDS."
But Stephen Strasburg, who threw a bullpen session Tuesday, appears lined up to start Game 1 on Friday in Washington.
