Watch: Cubs Reliever Codi Heuer Already Throwing from Mound
Righty reliever Codi Heuer missed all of last season following elbow reconstruction and the initial prognosis was that he might be able to return by June or July this year. The surgery was slightly more complicated than a standard Tommy John procedure, hence the longer timeline, but Heuer began a throwing program in September and is already working from the mound on the first official day of spring training.
Here’s Codi Heuer throwing earlier today in camp.
Jed Hoyer mentioned there’s a possibility he could start the season on the 60-day IL and they’d monitor his workload this season. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/g0wIX2jT3C
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) February 15, 2023
He doesn’t appear to be working anywhere near max effort and it’ll be quite a while before he’s ready for a competitive setting, but this is still a very good sign. Jed Hoyer (no relation) told reporters Heuer could start the season on the 60-day IL, which seemed like a foregone conclusion just a week ago. The fact that the team is being somewhat coy about that procedural move might be even more promising than seeing the right pitching.
In the end, I’d expect to see Heuer, Ethan Roberts, Kyle Hendricks, and Alexander Canario all moved to the extended IL in order to free up roster spots for players who can contribute in the meantime. Even so, it looks like there’s at least a slim chance Heuer could rejoin the bullpen by May or maybe even earlier.