Cubs left-hander Cole Hamels, who has been sidelined since suffering a left oblique strain June 28, started a throwing progression Friday, playing catch from 60-75 feet, but his timeline for a return remains murky.
The Cubs plan to evaluate his condition again Saturday to determine how far to push his next step.
Hamels, who missed two months in 2017 with a more severe oblique injury to the other side, is expected back at some point next month.
While this typically can be a six-week injury, the Cubs won’t estimate a timeline. They also have no intention of pushing him and risking a setback that could mean September – or worse.
“He’s been feeling pretty well, even prior to the break,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Talking to him, he was pretty optimistic. We’ll see how he feels [Saturday].”
Hamels (6-3, 2.98 ERA) was one of the league’s hottest starters in June, with a 1.22 ERA for the month.
Filling for Cole
The Cubs expect to announce in the next day or two their plans for filling Hamels’ spot in the rotation next time it comes up, Tuesday.
What’s certain is that it won’t be prospect Adbert Alzolay, who would be on short rest that day after starting Friday for AAA Iowa.
Keep an eye on Iowa right-hander Alec Mills, who has more experience, who is 5-0 with a 2.72 ERA in his last eight starts, and whose schedule can be manipulated to work Tuesday.
Because of scheduled off days this month, the Cubs would need to fill that spot only once more before Aug. 3
Long look for rook?
After an impressive four-game debut before the break, rookie switch-hitter Robel Garcia was back in the lineup at second base in the second-half opener, and Maddon sounded like he plans to ride the hot bat indefinitely.
“We’re going to find out,” said Maddon, who has Garcia scheduled to start at second for two of the three Pirates games. “We just need to get him out there.
“This kid’s been through a lot to get here,” said Maddon of the infielder who was released from Cleveland’s Class A team in 2013 and spent the next five years in independent ball and the Italian pro leagues. “I don’t want to heap a lot of extravagant expectations on him right now. Just go play.”
Garcia, 26, was 4-for-11 with two homers, a triple and two walks in three starts and a pinch-hitting appearance leading into the break.
