This year’s Home Run Derby became a must-see event when it was announced Wednesday afternoon that both Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant will compete in the event.
Major League Baseball released the list of sluggers that will participate in this year’s Derby: Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Prince Fielder, Todd Frazier, Manny Machado, Joc Pederson and Albert Pujols.
Kris Bryant’s father, Mike, will throw to him and Anthony Rizzo will have Cubs’ coach Franklin Font throw his rounds in The Derby. Rizzo and Bryant are excited to be part of the event.
Joe Maddon is comfortable with Rizzo and Bryant participating in The Derby and would like to see both of his sluggers win the event. Based on the new bracket system, Rizzo and Bryant would only face one another in the finals.
Kris Bryant will square off against Albert Pujols in the first round. Anthony Rizzo has Josh Donaldson in round one … the other two first round matchups: Joc Pederson vs. Manny Machado and Todd Frazier vs. Prince Fielder.
The Home Run Derby is Monday, July 13 at 7:00pm CDT on ESPN.
Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are the first Cubs’ teammates to participate in the same derby and the 15th pair of teammates to compete in the Derby in the same year.
Ryne Sandberg (1985, 1990), Andre Dawson (1987), George Bell (1991) and Sammy Sosa (1995, 1999, 2000-02, 2004) participated in the Home Run Derby. Sosa won the contest 15 years ago.
Kris Bryant and Joc Pederson will become the fifth and sixth rookies to compete in the Home Run Derby … Wally Joyner (1986), Jose Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1986) and Mike Piazza (1993).
- Report from the Sun-Times
- Report from ESPN Chicago
- Report from Carrie Muskat
- Report from Comcast SportsNet – Joe Maddon
Jason Hammel
Jason Hammel had to leave Wednesday’s start after just one inning with left hamstring tightness. Hammel is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the injury. Hammel said he is hoping for the best and for “some good news.” He had no idea Wednesday night how much time, if any, he would miss.
The positive spin is that with the All-Star break, Hammel’s next start would not be until a week from Sunday in Atlanta.
Hammel did not want to leave the game. Hammel said he could not pitch through the pain “it hurt pretty bad.” He felt a “real sharp pain” behind his left knee.
Scott Kazmir
Ken Rosenthal reported prior to Scott Kazmir’s start in the Bronx that the Blue Jays, Astros, Royals, Tigers, Nationals and Pirates had scouts in attendance at Yankee Stadium. Some were there to watch Ben Zobrist and Tyler Clippard. Rosenthal’s sources indicated the A’s are “currently in a holding pattern with trades.” The teams scouting Kazmir, Zobrist and Clippard were doing their homework Wednesday night.
Scott Kazmir had to leave Wednesday’s game in the third inning. As speculation swirled he had been traded, it was announced shortly after he departed that left triceps soreness cut his outing short. Kazmir threw 50 pitches in three innings, 21 in the third inning.
According to a report from Susan Slusser, Kazmir labeled the injury “super minor triceps tightness.” Kazmir’s velocity dropped 4-5 mph in his third and final inning of work. Kazmir did not rule out dehydration factoring in to the triceps tightening up on him. Kazmir thinks he would be able to pitch again in five days if it wasn’t for the All-Star break.
Scott Kazmir has already missed time this season with minor shoulder tightness.
Mike Olt
The Cubs sent Mike Olt on a rehab assignment to Double-A Tennessee on June 19 and he was moved to Triple-A Iowa on June 23. Position players can be on a rehab assignment for 20 days. Olt’s rehab assignment expired Wednesday and he will have to be activated from the 60-day DL. Olt can still be optioned to Iowa but a spot on the 40-man will have to be opened for him. If it is determined Olt needs more rehab time, with his consent the Cubs can send him on a second rehab assignment.
Olt did not play Wednesday, a 7-2 loss to Omaha, the first game he did not play in since reporting to Iowa.
Mike Olt hit .192/.222/.327 in 14 games for Iowa with four doubles, a home run, two walks and 15 strikeouts.
News, Notes and Rumors
• According to a report from Comcast SportsNet, Jason Heyward will be an X-factor in Cubs-Cardinals rivalry.
• The Cubs did not mince words Wednesday following the loss to the Cardinals. Comcast SportsNet reported the Cubs felt the sting after the gutting defeat. Joe Maddon focused on the positives from the game and was very happy with the way his team played on a difficult night after Jason Hammel left.
And last, but not least, click here to hear Bill Murray’s thoughts about the Cardinals.
This Day In Cubstory
2011 – Cubs released Augie Ojeda
2005 – On the first pitch in his first big league plate appearance, 24-year old outfielder Adam Greenberg was struck in the back of the head by a 92 mph fastball thrown by Marlins pitcher Valerio de los Santos. Greenberg suffered a concussion and experienced positional vertigo as a result of the beaning. Greenberg entered the game in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter.
2001 – Sammy Sosa lost the Home Run Derby during All-Star Game festivities to Luis Gonzalez
1983 – Miguel Montero, born
1970 – Cubs traded Archie Reynolds to the Angels for Juan Pizarro
1969 – Rookie Jimmy Qualls one-out single in the ninth spoiled Tom Seaver’s no-hit bid. The Cubs lost to the Mets 4-0 at Shea Stadium in ‘The Imperfect Game’
1955 – Willie Wilson, born
1946 – Cubs purchased Doyle Lade from the White Sox