Signing shortstop Andrelton Simmons to bolster the center infield protection was an comprehensible strategy for the Chicago Cubs’ roster building.
Between the damage histories of shortstop Nico Hoerner and second baseman Nick Madrigal and a rotation reliant on floor balls, a defense-first infielder like Simmons may be precious.
However the Cubs’ imaginative and prescient works provided that Simmons is wholesome — and when he’ll debut for them stays unclear.
The Cubs are slowing down Simmons’ ramp-up course of after he once more felt soreness in his proper shoulder. He’s throwing on the group’s complicated in Mesa, Ariz., and can resume stay batting follow subsequent week.
“I don’t suppose it’s a humongous setback,” supervisor David Ross stated Tuesday. “However it’s a little bit like, let’s pause and nonetheless construct.”
Shoulder soreness has plagued the 32-year-old Simmons since shortly after he reported to big-league camp in mid-March on a one-year deal. The Cubs initially sounded optimistic Simmons would require solely the minimal 10 days on the injured record to open the season. Three weeks into his IL stint, Simmons’ lingering soreness creates a murky timeline for his return.
Simmons’ newest minor setback places the Cubs in a tricky spot, limiting their defensive versatility.
“The problem is you’ve acquired an elite defender that we’re lacking,” Ross stated, “so typically that’s the place you’re going to sort of must weigh your choices on the place your fly-ball-to-ground-ball pitchers is likely to be, totally different stuff like that.
“Guys have been doing very well. We’ve blended and matched the group as finest we may. You solely have so many elite, All-Star-type gamers, and a few of them you attempt to maximize their strengths and restrict their areas of weak point. I really feel like we’ve carried out a pleasant job of getting guys relaxation with the loopy schedule to begin.”
The Cubs signed Jonathan Villar predominantly to play third base and fill in at second for Madrigal as wanted. As an alternative, Villar has change into Hoerner’s backup at shortstop, the place he didn’t get many reps throughout spring coaching.
Though Villar had performed 432 video games at shortstop coming into the season, it hasn’t been his common place since 2016. Final 12 months he made 86 of his 109 begins for the New York Mets at third base.
Regardless of Villar’s defensive inconsistencies, his manufacturing has been a precious a part of the Cubs possessing top-of-the-line offenses in baseball. The switch-hitting Villar entered Tuesday’s sequence opener in Atlanta hitting .341 with a .380 on-base share and 126 OPS+. Ross referred to as him a giant a part of the Cubs’ success due to how properly he’s swinging his bat.
“Some guys could also be taking part in nice protection however not hitting,” Ross stated. “We’ve all acquired areas of our sport that we will enhance. … For me, it’s nearly persevering with to work. We’ve acquired a protracted season. And simply since you begin off on the plate going 0 for 20 doesn’t imply you’re not going to have a very nice season. And I feel the identical can be defensively.”
Villar has been engaged on his protection earlier than video games with bench coach Andy Inexperienced, however there’s a steadiness that comes with it. Ross stated it’s onerous for Villar to get many alternatives for that sort of pregame infield work as a result of he wants reps at three positions.
“I can’t have him working at quick on the day that he’s going to be taking part in third or second,” Ross stated. “He can take days like at the moment and he’ll transfer round and get some actual work in and be able to go at any time when the subsequent time he’s within the lineup.”
With out different middle-infield choices on the 40-man roster, the Cubs would want to make a roster transfer so as to add one other infielder able to taking part in shortstop equivalent to Ildemaro Vargas. Simmons’ damage has compelled Villar to begin two video games at quick, the place he has dedicated two errors in 17 innings. Villar accounts for 4 of the Cubs’ seven errors, together with two at second base.
If Simmons’ progress retains stalling, the Cubs may have to make an inside transfer. By the top of subsequent week, they need to have a clearer concept whether or not the big-league roster can be higher off in the event that they put Simmons on the 60-day IL to open a 40-man spot and assist their center infield depth.
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