DETROIT – It will be an emotional day at Wrigley Field on Monday as longtime Cubs ace Jon Lester returns to the Friendly Confines as a visitor for the first time in six years.
Lester will start against his old team as the Nationals come to town for a four-game set. Former outfielder Kyle Schwarber will also be making his return to the North Side.
“I knew as soon as I signed and saw the schedule,” Lester said. “You pick out certain road trips that are always fun and obviously, this was the one that stuck out for me for a lot of different reasons. ... It’ll be nice to get back in. It’s kind of nice to pitch on Monday and get it out of the way. And that way, I can just enjoy being in Chicago.”
Lester was one of the game’s true aces in his time in Chicago and was 77-44 with a 3.64 ERA in seven seasons in Chicago after signing a six-year, $155 million deal in 2014.
Even as an opponent, no one is more excited to see Lester return to Wrigley than Cubs’ manager David Ross. Ross was Lester’s personal catcher during his time in Chicago and still has a close friendship with the Nationals’ left-hander.
“The guy is super special to me,” Ross said. “I hope that the fans give him the welcome back he deserves. He’s a special human being. He means a lot to me. He means a lot to this organization and has done a lot for this organization and a lot of guys in this clubhouse. I think fans recognize that. I think Cubs nation will be super appreciative and give him the love that he needs.”
After making his last start at Wrigley last September, Lester lamented not being able to show the fans his appreciation. As a final gesture, Lester spent nearly $50,000 buying fans beer in November.
“The biggest thing for me is just making sure I walk into the right dugout and out to the right bullpen,” Lester said jokingly. “That’s going to be the weird part. Not turning right off the mound. You got to turn left, you got to go to the other one. So I got to make sure I do that.
“I’m excited for the fans to be there. I don’t know what to expect. I’m not really expecting anything. I’m expecting to go back and hopefully pitch well.”
Mills goes on the 10-day IL, Nance selected
The Cubs put right-hander Alec Mills on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain before Sunday’s game. The team selected the contract of right-hander Tommy Nance from Class AAA Iowa in a corresponding move.
Mills is 2-0 with a 5.96 ERA in 12 games this season. Nance was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances for Iowa this season with 10 strikeouts and one walk.
“[Alec] came in after the game yesterday just stiff with some tightness back there,” Ross said. “The trainers checked him out. I think it’s just one of those times that they don’t want to push it right now this part of the season. He’s had it a little bit in the past and it’s something that they want to get on top of early.”
