Baez made a series of slick plays and the best came in the second when he dove to his right to snag a Jon Berti grounder.
Javy Baez had another one of those days. And it didn’t really matter that he went 0 for 3 and only reached when he was hit by a pitch.
Baez, who said his right thumb is not quite 100%, made a series of slick plays in the field during the Cubs’ 2-0 win Sunday over the Marlins. Undoubtedly, the best play came in the second when he dove to his right to snag a Jon Berti grounder then threw to second for the force to end the inning.
“Today was a busy day playing defense, which I love,” Baez said. “I was just ready for the ball to come to me.”
Starter Alec Mills said Baez made a couple “jaw-dropping” plays. The one in the second, even for Baez’s standards, stood out. It also avoided putting runners at first and third, and allowed Mills to save a few pitches.
“I don’t think we should ever be surprised, but at the same time that was unbelievable,” Mills said. “That was a game-changer for me. Got out of an inning.
Monday is the day
Monday is when Major League Baseball begins its enhanced enforcement of rules regarding pitchers and foreign substances. And Cubs manager David Ross said he’s talked to his players about the logistics of the increased inspections and what that will look like during a game.
“It will be an adjustment for everyone,” Ross said. “It’s just like any new rule or any new thing you put in play on the field during game time, it definitely will be probably a little awkward, but we’ll get through it and adjust.”
Starting pitchers will be checked at least once per game, while relievers must be inspected at the end of their first inning or when they are removed, whichever occurs first. Most checks will happen between innings or during pitching changes.
Praising Contreras
Back in the lineup after getting Saturday off, Willson Contreras was heavily praised by Ross. The Cubs manager said Contreras has adjusted well to the parade of pitchers he’s caught and controlled the running game while producing and providing leadership, energy and other important intangibles.
His presence has been even more important as the team has shifted from one backup catcher to another.
“I can’t overstate that enough, the value he brings is just as important as all the love that Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo get, and Javy,” Ross said. “He’s on that same level for me because of the role that he has to play and how demanding that job is on a person.”
Briefly...
Ross said Matt Duffy (low back strain) hasn’t progressed in about a week, and that the recovery has taken “a little bit longer than I think we were expecting.” Ross indicated Nico Hoerner (left hamstring strain) could be a week or 10 days from a rehab assignment.
* Kyle Ryan was selected from Triple-A Iowa, while right-hander Cory Abbott was optioned to Iowa. To make room for Ryan on the 40-man roster, righty Robert Stock was designated for assignment.
* Justin Steele (right hamstring strain) again threw off the mound before Sunday’s game.
from Chicago Sun-Times - All https://ift.tt/3cYJ1up
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