Starter Jordan Wicks 'feels great' in first start since June 14
WASHINGTON — In his first start since June 14, Cubs pitcher Jordan Wicks found himself in a jam during the second inning of Sunday's game.
Wicks had loaded the bases with zero outs on three consecutive hits. But the left-hander seemed to settle in after a mound visit with catcher Miguel Amaya. Third baseman Isaac Paredes made a diving stop to start a double play that manager Craig Counsell said was a huge play.
"That play definitely helped, I'll tell you that," Wicks said of Paredes' diving stop. "Seeing that and then being able to get out of that situation was huge. Then from there, was just able to get ahead and the guys played unbelievable defense behind me."
Wicks looked healthy, throwing five innings and allowing one run on four hits in Sunday's 14-1 win. Given the struggles of right-hander Kyle Hendricks, Wicks could give the Cubs another starter to help down the stretch.
"You can't really mimic being on a big-league field in a big-league atmosphere," Wicks said. "To be able to go out there, everything felt great and I was happy to just just settle in."
Bullpen depth
Reliever Shawn Armstrong’s son, Declan Cutter Armstrong, is confused on who to root for after the Cubs put in a claim for the right-hander, making them the third team to employ Armstrong this season after St. Louis and Tampa Bay.
But Declan — who’s middle name comes from the pitch that got Armstrong to the big leagues — is excited to watch his dad pitch. After a subpar start to the season with the Tampa Bay Rays, sporting a 5.40 ERA with opponents slashing .292/.360/.443, Armstrong found a rhythm with the Cardinals, sporting a 2.84 ERA.
There's some familiar faces for Armstrong in the Cubs locker room. Armstrong was drafted by general manager Carter Hawkins when Hawkins was the assistant general manager in Cleveland. Armstrong also played with catcher Christian Bethancourt when the two were in Tampa Bay.
“I'm excited to be here,” said Armstrong, who threw one scoreless inning on Sunday. “These guys are playing unreal baseball, and I'm just here to do what I can to help get the ‘w’ every day.”
Counsell doesn’t like to designate roles for the bullpen and said Armstrong’s role is to get outs.
“He's experienced,” Counsell said. “He had a brilliant season in the big leagues last year. Looks like he got on track, had some bad luck, frankly, early in the year. He's on track, and we'll call on him to fill a need to get outs when it's appropriate.”
Darren Baker’s debut
The Nationals added Baker, son of ex-Cubs manager Dusty Baker, to the active roster on Sunday.
Baker reached the majors after four minor league seasons and got his first major-league hit on a single up the middle in the ninth inning.
Roster moves
- The Cubs recalled infielder Miles Mastrobuoni from Triple-A Iowa with rosters expanding to 28 players. Mastrobuoni is a versatile infielder with solid defense that gives the Cubs another player to use off the bench.
- To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs recalled infielder Nick Madrigal and placed him on the 60-day IL with a left pinky fracture.