CINCINNATI – The Cubs found a short-term answer for Cole Hamels’ oblique injury in Kyle Hendricks’ quick return to health.
Hendricks, who has been on the injured list since shoulder inflammation flared during a start June 14, has fared well enough in bullpen sessions after getting a cortisone shot that he’ll skip a minor-league rehab assignment.
The Cubs plan to reinstate Hendricks from the IL to start Tuesday in Pittsburgh, with Yu Darvish going Wednesday and Jose Quintana on Thursday.
“I feel 100 percent,” said Hendricks, who will be on a limit of 60-75 pitches Tuesday. “It’s good to be back.”
Rookie Adbert Alzolay makes his second career start to open that series on Monday night.
With Jon Lester and Hendricks in line to pitch Saturday and Sunday against the White Sox leading into the All-Star break, Alzolay can be optioned back to the minors to make room for Hendricks.
That would allow Alzolay to pitch in the All-Star Futures Game Sunday. And he could be brought back after the break if the Cubs slot him into their rotation plans at that point.
“It’s up to the team. I’m here to help the team and do my job,” said Alzolay, who earned a win in relief in his June 22 debut and has allowed two runs in 8 2/3 innings overall (2.08 ERA). “Whatever the team needs from me I’ll be here to do it.”
Stupid is as stupid …
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he was still in his office at the ballpark Saturday when he saw the news crawl on his personal device. It was just minutes after Cubs reliever Pedro Strop uttered the since-gone-viral words about Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig being “stupid as f---.”
Is Maddon part of the same school of thought on the subject?
“I really had not processed that thought before,” Maddon said. “I’ve often encouraged our guys to speak their mind. And I’m sure a lot of folks found that entertaining. You’ll have to ask Pedro to comment further on that.
“I thought it was a little bit out of character for him,” the manager added. “But nevertheless I’ve always encouraged my guys to speak their mind.”
Maddon admitted he got a chuckle out of seeing the comments. “How could you not?” he said.
“It’s like `fatigue makes cowards out of all of us’ – Vince Lombardi,” he said. “This one by Pedro Strop may stand the test of time also.”
Half day for Javy
Cubs shortstop Javy Baez was due a scheduled day off Sunday until he was needed to pinch hit in the top of the eighth after Jason Heyward had led off with a walk in a one-run game.
Baez struck out and stayed in to finish the game at short.
“He needs a day and that was important,” Maddon said, looking ahead at Baez’s All-Star obligations next week. “It’s another situation where you have to be on almost like playoff-on or World Series-on. It can take its toll. That’s why I want to be very aware going into it, and on the backside of it, too.”
Edwards close
Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. traveled Sunday to join Class AAA Iowa for a brief minor-league rehab assignment.
The right-hander, who’s on the injured list because of a strain in his left upper back, is scheduled to pitch an inning Monday. He’s to be evaluated for a possible return or another rehab appearance after that.
