Multiple reports surfaced Monday morning that provided injury updates on players dealing with minor or nagging injuries, or in Jake Arrieta’s case a lingering injury that might cause him to miss time at the beginning of the season.
Starlin Castro may be back in the lineup next week. Ryan Sweeney does not think he will miss more than a day after leaving Sunday’s game in the second inning. Mike Olt said he shoulder is feeling good. And it is looking more and more like Jake Arrieta will start the season on the disabled list.
Starlin Castro
Starlin Castro was cleared to resume baseball activities and was hoping to play in a Cactus League game by the weekend (Cubs have three split squad days, Saturday-Monday). Castro was expecting to start practicing in the field and hitting in the cage by Wednesday. But Castro will not travel with the team to Las Vegas for the weekend series against the Mets.
Rick Renteria “tempered talk” of Castro returning to the lineup this weekend according to a report from Mark Gonzales. And Jesse Rogers reported it may be next week before Castro plays in a Cactus League game. Castro is scheduled to continue his running program through the weekend.
As the Sun-Times reported, it sounds like Starlin Castro will be out longer than the original 7-10 days the team thought he would miss when the injury occurred on March 2.
Jake Arrieta
Jake Arrieta completed his second side session on Sunday and may face hitters in a simulated game soon. Arrieta told the Sun-Times he remains hopeful of starting the season on the active roster. But said he wants to make sure he does not rush back and miss any time during the season.
According to reports from ESPN Chicago, the Sun-Times and the Tribune, Arrieta has a “long way” to go in his rehab and Rick Renteria said he would not be returning on his timetable. Gordon Wittenmyer reported the Cubs “plan to be cautious” with Arrieta and “build his strength slowly.” And a stint on the DL to start the season is likely.
According to a report from Carrie Muskat, the next step for Jake Arrieta is a 60-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday.
Mike Olt
Mike Olt has been getting his at bats and playing in the field as the team’s DH and first baseman. Olt was expected to see his first action of the spring at third base at some point this week.
ESPN Chicago reported that Olt “is getting closer to playing third base” as he recovers from a tender shoulder. Olt told Jesse Rogers he has thrown from third base the last couple of days and his “velocity is right where it needs to be.”
Ryan Sweeney
Ryan Sweeney left Sunday’s game in the second inning with right knee soreness after he hurt his knee fielding a double off the bat of Jeff Bianchi. Sweeney was listed as day-to-day, and could return to the lineup Tuesday. Sweeney told reporters he slipped “on concrete or a drain or whatever in the corner” running down the ball. Sweeney started in right field against the Brewers on Sunday. According to a report from Carrie Muskat, Sweeney was “wearing a brace on Monday, and hoped to be able to take part in all the drills.” Sweeney thinks he will return to the lineup on Tuesday when the Cubs take on the Rockies in Mesa.