Bears News: Craig Counsell updates multiple injuries on his team |
A trio of pitchers could bolster the team in the next month.
Chicago Cubs bullpen arm Julian Merryweather has been rehabbing his rib stress fracture in his back since he was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 7. Merryweather has progressed with his rehab and threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. “The live BP went good,” Merryweather said to reporters. “I've been progressing really well. Getting that first live out of the way was a good first step to kind of keep progressing. We're staying right on schedule.” Cubs manager Craig Counsell shared that Merryweather will have enough live batting practice on July 6. If everything goes well, he could be cleared for a Minor League rehab assignment while the team is in Baltimore and St. Louis. All signs point to him being back in late July. Cubs pitcher Ben Brown threw a bullpen session on Saturday. He is trying to come back after a neck issue that has kept him out since early June. Counsell also said that pitcher Jordan Wicks is working himself back from his oblique strain and could be back fairly soon. “We have a fairly sizable group trending toward post-All-Star break," Counsell said. "I don’t think we have return dates for any of them, but the second half of July is Wicks, Brown, Merryweather, and we’re in a good spot with all those guys." This would be a shot in the arm for the Cubs, as this trio of pitchers is very important to the club's future.
