Jon Lester Pitching Final Scrimmage Against Twins, ‘You Can Assume’ Tyler Chatwood Third in Rotation
David Ross told the media Sunday that “you can assume” Tyler Chatwood will be taking the mound to start the third game of the Cubs’ opening series against the Brewers. Jon Lester, who got a little bit of a late start in summer camp, will take the mound against the Twins on Wednesday with a little piggyback help from Alec Mills.
That tandem start is less about either pitcher not being stretched out and more about getting both of them some action to set them up for regular rest heading into their presumed starts next Monday and Tuesday in Cincinnati.
In position-player news, Anthony Rizzo looks to be doing quite well as he recovers from back spasms that prevented him from working out for a week and kept him out Sunday’s scrimmage against the White Sox. His first BP effort the other day consisted almost exclusively of tracking pitches and laying down bunts, but he busted out the boomstick Sunday afternoon.
FWIW: Rizzo sent last pitch of BP halfway up the bleachers in RF. https://t.co/U3zSWCh5kn
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) July 19, 2020
As wild as everything has been and as cautious as I’ve remained as the season approaches, this is all starting to feel real and it’s actually pretty great.