Cubs president Theo Epstein isn’t able to speak about the way forward for All-Star 3rd baseman Kris Bryant.
Epstein isn’t even able to speak wins and losses in 2020.
“Right now, it’s hard enough to predict what tomorrow or next week will look like,” he mentioned. “It’s a fool’s errand, I think, to try to predict what next year will look like or the next five years. That’s just the reality of the world we’re in.”
Reality? Here’s a sour mouthful: Every group within the majors is a space of playing cards at this time. That comprises the Cubs, who’re believed to be the one National League group and not using a certain check for COVID-19 amongst its avid gamers.
There’s a large number of pleasure round Wrigley Field in how avid gamers have adhered to health-and-safety protocols, however that and a bag of baseballs gained’t purchase them a second of respiring simple.
“We can’t allow the good results thus far to create the illusion for us that we’re in control, because we’re not,” Epstein mentioned. “The virus is the only thing in control right now.”
Bryant mentioned previous this week that he hopes the Cubs wouldn’t industry him right through a plague and expressed renewed pastime in talking with the membership a few conceivable contract extension. He’s below contract via 2021.
Epstein isn’t there but.
“Honestly, I appreciate Kris’ comments,” he mentioned. “I do know that he loves being right here, and he is aware of that we like having him as a part of the group. …
“[But] to delve too deeply into that and discuss contractual situations, it gets to a point where if you talk too much about it, it becomes inappropriate given the realities of everything going on in the world and where our focus truly is right now,” he mentioned. “So there will be a time to discuss those things later, but I personally don’t feel comfortable talking about that right now.”
Off-the-wall evening
Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. left Friday evening’s simulated sport at Wrigley Field after crashing into the middle box wall.
Uh-oh?
It positive regarded find it irresistible when Almora raced directly again on a shot by means of Bryant off Craig Kimbrel however used to be not able to snare the ball ahead of his momentum led him into the ivy-covered brick wall. Outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward rushed to Almora, who remained face-down at the caution observe for approximately two mins as a couple of running shoes and supervisor David Ross tended to him.
After strolling about 25 ft towards the dugout, Almora, hat and glove off, went all the way down to a knee for a couple of seconds, showing to assemble himself. Then — below his personal energy — he took a sluggish, ginger stroll to the dugout, down the stairs and into the clubhouse.
Not 10 mins later, phrase got here from a Cubs spokesman that Almora had mildly bruised his ribs and may well be again in motion at camp on Saturday. Not a minute after that, Almora used to be status within the on-deck circle with a bat in his hand. He walked to the plate and hit an RBI unmarried.
Uh-oh?
Guess no longer.
Rizzo nonetheless out
It used to be a 3rd directly day at the shelf for first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has a sore again. There isn’t a large number of fear about him, both, although.
“Rizz is getting better,” Epstein mentioned. “It seems like a minor and very manageable issue, something that he’s gotten through in the past. He looks to be on that same timetable.”
Schwarb-bombed
Tyler Chatwood noticed sufficient of Kyle Schwarber to ultimate him some time. The slugger homered deep to proper and added a two-run double that ended Chatwood’s evening.
Schwarber, Willson Contreras and Josh Phegley have two homers apiece in intrasquad video games since camp began at Wrigley. After the lengthy one off Chatwood, Ross met Schwarber midway between the highest dugout step and the on-deck circle for an air-arm-bash or one thing of the type.