Kevin Gausman left Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Marlins with soreness in his left shoulder, but not before making the defensive play he will remember most: a diving tag on Miami’s Heriberto Hernández in the sixth inning.
| Game | Result | Key moment |
|---|---|---|
| Marlins at Cubs, Wednesday | Marlins 3, Cubs 2 | Gausman exited after injuring his left shoulder on a diving tag in the sixth |
The Cubs right-hander said Thursday that the tag was the finest defensive play of his career, calling it an easy choice. The aftermath, though, has put his next start in doubt at a time when Chicago is trying to finish its playoff push and prepare for a possible National League Wild Card Series next week.
Gausman had trouble sleeping after the game and said the discomfort remained Thursday morning. The issue is being treated as day to day, with the coming days carrying particular weight as the Cubs determine whether he can be ready for postseason work.
“I’m not going to make that call right now,” Gausman said of a possible return. “But I’ll do everything I can to be ready whenever they need me. I can promise that.”
A crowded road to Boston
Chicago was scheduled to leave Wrigley Field following Thursday’s game and travel to Boston for Friday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Sunday’s contest has been moved up because of a major storm expected in the area, while Saturday’s game remains on the books for now.
Major League Baseball, the Cubs and Red Sox will continue watching the weather before deciding whether further changes are necessary. If Saturday is played as scheduled, Shota Imanaga could be needed on short rest after starting against Miami on Tuesday.
Gausman called the setup unusual and less than ideal, but said the club has enough pitching options to handle it. With his own availability unsettled, Matthew Boyd — Thursday’s starter — currently lines up as the likely Game 1 choice if Chicago reaches a Wild Card Series on Tuesday. Clay Holmes and David Peterson could be candidates for Game 2.
The Cubs still must secure their postseason berth before any of those plans become firm. Gausman could theoretically enter the picture for either of the first two Wild Card games if his shoulder responds well to treatment.
Although the soreness is in his non-throwing shoulder, Gausman explained that his front side is essential to his delivery. He uses a firm grip on the glove and that arm’s strength to create leverage as he works down the mound and brings his throwing arm through.
Manager Craig Counsell said the club will monitor Gausman’s response rather than force an early conclusion.
“We have to take this one day at a time,” Counsell said. “He’s a starter, so there is some time here. We’ll see how he responds. If there’s still a problem by the weekend, then we’ll deal with it. For now, he has a few days to improve.”
Bregman adds field work to his comeback
Alex Bregman continued his recovery from multiple fractures in his left cheek by taking running drills in left field before Thursday’s game against Miami. The third baseman had already hit Wednesday against the high-velocity Trajekt pitching machine.
Bregman was struck in the face by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck area Sunday in Cincinnati. Chicago has not ruled out a return before the regular season ends, though Counsell has emphasized that Bregman must clear each stage of activity before a decision is made.
Counsell said Bregman still needs swelling to subside and acknowledged that more pain has set in, which he said is understandable. Still, the manager said the hitting work went well and that Bregman was encouraged by how he felt.
Steele remains available, but no move is coming
Left-hander Justin Steele threw from a mound Wednesday as the Cubs continue weighing whether he can pitch for them this season. Steele has not appeared in the Majors since April of last year following elbow surgery, though he recently completed a promising rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa.
Counsell said Steele is a possible option for the Boston series, but the looming doubleheader and the need to cover innings are part of the decision. Roster construction is also a factor, and the manager said the Cubs were not making a move Thursday.
Steele is available if the situation calls for him. For the moment, though, Chicago’s immediate concern is getting through a cramped, weather-threatened weekend with enough arms intact — starting with Gausman’s shoulder.
