Mike Olt picked up his second hit of the young season, a solo homer in the third inning after Chris Coghlan went yard, the second of back-to-back jacks for the Cubs. Olt was 1-for-4 on Saturday night before he stepped in the box in the ninth inning. Olt was hit by a pitch on his right wrist and was in immediate pain. Olt left the game and by the look on his face, he was not expecting the best.
X-rays came back negative. Olt did not break his wrist. He’s listed as day-to-day and the team is treating it like a bruise. The Cubs are expected to re-evaluate Olt on Sunday. But the Cubs’ third baseman said he will be ready to play.
Joe Maddon was not sure after the game after Olt would be able to play Sunday or not.
Mike Olt was obviously relieved the X-rays came back negative. His hand was reportedly wrapped when he talked to the beat writers. Because of where Olt was hit, he said he felt lucky that he did not break his wrist. Olt is 2-for-12 in four games with a home run, no walks and four strikeouts.
When Olt went down, the attention unfortunately turned to Kris Bryant and if Olt was going to miss time, would the Cubs call Bryant up to take his place on the roster? Olt was told about the reaction to his injury on social media. According to Patrick Mooney, Olt said he doesn’t really check Twitter anymore.
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson made his first relief appearance Friday night. Jackson pitched well in two innings of work. Jackson kept the Rockies from adding on and worked around a Starlin Castro error. Jackson talked to the beat writers Saturday about his new role with the Cubs.
Jackson said he is “an inbetweener and a bullpen-starter.” Jackson hangs out with the starters and with the relievers. Jackson hasn’t had any problems with adjusting to his bullpen role. Jackson is making sure he’s prepared every day in case the phone rings and his number is called.
Joe Maddon said Jackson has been very professional in handling his new role.
News, Notes and Rumors
• Chris Denorfia is set to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Myrtle Beach Sunday. Carrie Muskat reported Denorfia took batting practice with the team Saturday and was checked out by the Cubs’ medical staff in Denver. Denorfia is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
• According to Randy Wehofer, C Taylor Teagarden is still in the Cubs’ organization. Teagarden was placed on the 7-day DL for the start of the season. Teagarden is rehabbing an undisclosed injury at the team’s facility in Mesa.
• Andy Masur posted photos Saturday of the structure for the right field video board being installed.
• Jason Hammel took the lead in the competition between the starting pitchers to see which one has the most hits at the end of the season. Hammel recorded the first hit by a starter this season. Hammel was 2-for-3 with a run scored on Saturday night.
• Dexter Fowler tripled twice in the same game Saturday night for the first time since Aug. 29, 2010 against the Dodgers at Coors Field. And according to Christopher Kamka, Fowler became the first Cubs’ player to triple twice in the first two inning of a game since Steve Swisher on Aug. 8, 1976.
• Dexter Fowler appreciated the warm welcome he received Friday in his return to Coors Field according to a report from Carrie Muskat.
• Cubs see Dexter Fowler becoming the catalyst for their offense according to Comcast SportsNet.
• Joe Maddon is happy with the quality of at bats over the first week of the season. The Cubs are putting together long at bats and walked nine times in the first two games in Denver.
• Anthony Rizzo’s bunt single in the seventh inning of Friday’s game was his decision. Joe Maddon told the beat writers Saturday he did not ask Rizzo to bunt.
• Jason Hammel echoed Jake Arrieta’s thoughts on Miguel Montero according to a report from ESPN Chicago.
Cubs’ bats got loud in Colorado and quieted the noise from Iowa according to a report from the Sun-Times.
And last, but not least, Kris Bryant is one day closer according to ESPN Chicago and Comcast SportsNet is counting down the days.
This Day In Cubstory
2011 – Cubs signed free agent Doug Davis
2010 – Cubs beat the Brewers 9-5 in the home opener at Wrigley Field, the first win at Wrigley under Ricketts family ownership. Aramis Ramirez, Xavier Nady and Jeff Baker homered for the Cubs.
2004 – Cubs signed free agent Trent Hubbard
1982 – Justin Ruggiano, born
1977 – P.K. Wrigley passed away at age 82.
1970 – Cubs released Jesus Hernaiz
1940 – Woodie Fryman, born
1932 – Stan Hack made his Major League debut in the opener in Cincinnati. Hack collected a double and scored a run in five at bats. The Reds rallied for four runs in the ninth and beat the Cubs 5-4.
1926 – Walt Moryn, born
1912 – Joe Tinker, Joe Evers and Frank Chance were in the Cubs Opening Day lineup for the last time.
1899 – Trader Horne, born
1888 – Charlie Pick, born