July 10--The Chicago Cubs let out a sigh of relief after learning that the MRI on Jason Hammel's left leg showed no structural damage.
Hammel, who suffered tightness behind his knee during the first inning of Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, is expected to make his next start on July 21 at Cincinnati.
General manager Jed Hoyer said Hammel's injury initially scared the front office but that they have remained aggressive in their attempts to improve their pitching depth.
"We made a lot of phone calls like everyone else has, but I don't think things have kicked off yet, as far as the trade market," Hoyer said Friday. "I still think this will be a tighter trade market than usually early on because of the American League is so jumbled up and teams haven't declared themselves. The National League is a little different, and it will take time to break through. Maybe after All-Star Break that will happen a little bit."
Hoyer said the Cubs have received some help from Dallas Beeler and Clayton Richard but that the market could loosen up soon.
"Now it's a tight market, it could loosen up as it gets closer (to the July 31 trade deadline)," Hoyer said.
Much of the talks remain in the discussion stage
"Who's available, who's not available," Hoyer said. "The specifics will get ironed out later on. We have a talented system. We hope the scouts will like our players, and I expect they will.''
