Bleed Cubbie Blue May 25, 2023
Cubs roster move: Kyle Hendricks activated, Nick Madrigal optioned
Kyle Hendricks pitches during his rehab assignment at Iowa | Zach Boyden-Holmes/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK The Professor is back. Kyle Hendricks has not pitched in a major league game in almost 11 months. And, truth be told, most of his outings in 2021 and 2022 weren’t good. After being one of the better pitchers in the league for seven years from 2014-20 (3.12 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, 21.4 bWAR), he was just bad for most of those two years. Diagnosed with a shoulder ailment, Hendricks opted for rest and rehab rather than surgery. It was a long process, and when he...
Bleed Cubbie Blue May 17, 2023
BCB After Dark: The time of Nick?
Photo by Carmen Mandato/ The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks is it’s time to send Nick Madrigal down to Iowa. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the swingin’ spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and forget your troubles. We know you have some. We’re waiving the cover charge this evening. Grab a table before they’re all gone. Have a drink. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is the place for you to talk baseball, music, movies, or anything else you need to get off your chest, as long as it is within the...
Bleed Cubbie Blue May 7, 2023
2023 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 33
Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/ Back-to-back wins! Cubs triumph 4-2. I’ve no doubt that being a Cub has been difficult for Nick Madrigal. In 2021, when he was traded to the Cubs, he was out with an injury. In 2022, he was in and out of the lineup with more injuries. Though he had a decent August and looked to be getting back settled and then got hurt again. So far, he’s been healthy in 2023, but now there is no clear path to regular playing time. To his credit, Nick doesn’t appear to have moped. Really, the biggest problem I’ve observed this season is an occasional...
Bleed Cubbie Blue May 7, 2023
Cub Tracks’ Sunday papers
Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/ Read all about it! #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news you can use, four days a week. Don’t ask no questions, don’t get no lies. Let’s get some runs and return the Marlins’ flavor. Welcome to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor. I admit it, the more I see of Nick Madrigal, the more I like him. His baserunning adds dimensions...
Bleed Cubbie Blue May 6, 2023
Cubs 4, Marlins 2: Nick Madrigal saves the day
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports The infielder’s key two-run single gave the Cubs an eighth-inning lead. As most of you know, I have been critical of Nick Madrigal on this site in the past. So today I will give him major props for his game-winning single in the Cubs’ eighth-inning rally. Madrigal’s two-run single with one out in the eighth gave the Cubs the lead and Miguel Amaya followed with an RBI single and the Cubs had a come-from-behind 4-2 win over the Marlins, their second straight. This game started out weirdly. The Marlins scratched their starter Bryan Hoeing...
