Aug. 13--Cubs manager Joe Maddon apparently is following the same policy as disgruntled pitcher Jason Hammel.
When asked Thursday if he planned to talk to Hammel, who was upset after being pulled after throwing only 65 pitches and 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 win over Milwaukee in 10 innings Wednesday, Maddon replied, "I don't have to."
Does Maddon want to talk to Hammel?
"Unless he wants to, I don't have to. I don't think it's necessary.''
Maddon, like Hammel, appears to have moved on from the second consecutive time Hammel has been pulled in the middle of a brisk outing. And Maddon reiterated he has no problem with his pitcher being upset.
"What's the difference if you throw 5 2/3 innings and 115 pitches or 5 2/3 innings and whatever he threw (75 pitches)?" Maddon replied. "I think everything gets skewed sometimes regarding the pitch count. It's not a 100-pitch exercise. He did his job. He left with the lead. We had the lead down to the final drop and it got away, but of course Miggy (Montero) came back."
Maddon said he has been associated with teams with players who have been less than pleased with their situation but have continued to perform at a high level.
"I do think it's good for the group to have a little bit of edge,'' Maddon said.
Hammel's season has changed since suffering tightness behind his left knee and lasting only one inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 8. Hammel hasn't pitched more than 5 2/3 innings in his past five start, although he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of those five starts.
"He should be really fresh coming down the stretch with the number of innings pitched and pitches thrown, and that's why I can see him turning it on relatively soon and it's going to benefit him and us," Maddon said.
