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Garza will start Tuesday and Villanueva has been moved to the pen.
CSF77
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CHICAGO -- Right-hander Matt Garza will return to the Cubs' rotation on Tuesday in Pittsburgh and make his first Major League start since last July.
"I'm excited and just happy that I don't have to rehab again," said Garza, who opened the season on the disabled list with a strained left lat. "This actually means something, and I can't wait. It's been 10 months in the making, so I'm excited to get back out there."
Garza won't be activated until before Tuesday's game, when a corresponding move will be announced. But the domino effect of Garza's return to the rotation is already known -- right-hander Carlos Villanueva will shift to the bullpen.
Garza made four rehab-assignment appearances, the last of which came on Thursday at Triple-A Iowa, when he allowed two hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings. Manager Dale Sveum said that outing was enough to show the Cubs that Garza was ready to return.
"We've slowed it up a little bit and he did everything -- and then his final one was as good as it could be," Sveum said. "It was just time to get him back."
Garza said he was confident his last rehab outing proved he was ready.
"I think when they told me, 'Go get six,' and I threw six, it was enough lobbying that I can actually argue," Garza said when asked if he had to persuade the Cubs to let him return. "I was excited, and I'm just ready to do my part."
Garza won't immediately be fully unleashed. Sveum said the right-hander will be held to 85-90 pitches.
As for Villanueva, it's back to the bullpen -- where he has spent most of his eight-year career. Outside of his last start on Tuesday -- allowing seven runs on 12 hits in five innings against Colorado -- he's been one of Chicago's best starters, going 1-3 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts, five of which have been quality outings.
Right-hander Scott Feldman, who started Saturday against the Mets, will remain in the rotation after going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his last four starts. Sveum said it wasn't a competition between the two, instead pointing to Villanueva's history in the 'pen.
"Obviously, he's built up to do a lot of things," said Sveum, adding that Villanueva will pitch in a variety of roles.
For Garza, Tuesday's start marks the end of a long journey. He left his start against the Cardinals last July 21 with a cramped right triceps, and one month later was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a stress reaction in his right elbow.
He then strained his lat during a live batting-practice session in Spring Training.
In all, it was the longest the 29-year-old said he's ever been away from the game. He's definitely ready to be back.
"The mental part was the tough part," Garza said. "It was one setback after another, and it was, 'Keep going, keep going, keep going.' I'm just happy I'm here at the end of it, and can't wait 'til Tuesday."
"I'm excited and just happy that I don't have to rehab again," said Garza, who opened the season on the disabled list with a strained left lat. "This actually means something, and I can't wait. It's been 10 months in the making, so I'm excited to get back out there."
Garza won't be activated until before Tuesday's game, when a corresponding move will be announced. But the domino effect of Garza's return to the rotation is already known -- right-hander Carlos Villanueva will shift to the bullpen.
Garza made four rehab-assignment appearances, the last of which came on Thursday at Triple-A Iowa, when he allowed two hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings. Manager Dale Sveum said that outing was enough to show the Cubs that Garza was ready to return.
"We've slowed it up a little bit and he did everything -- and then his final one was as good as it could be," Sveum said. "It was just time to get him back."
Garza said he was confident his last rehab outing proved he was ready.
"I think when they told me, 'Go get six,' and I threw six, it was enough lobbying that I can actually argue," Garza said when asked if he had to persuade the Cubs to let him return. "I was excited, and I'm just ready to do my part."
Garza won't immediately be fully unleashed. Sveum said the right-hander will be held to 85-90 pitches.
As for Villanueva, it's back to the bullpen -- where he has spent most of his eight-year career. Outside of his last start on Tuesday -- allowing seven runs on 12 hits in five innings against Colorado -- he's been one of Chicago's best starters, going 1-3 with a 3.93 ERA in eight starts, five of which have been quality outings.
Right-hander Scott Feldman, who started Saturday against the Mets, will remain in the rotation after going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in his last four starts. Sveum said it wasn't a competition between the two, instead pointing to Villanueva's history in the 'pen.
"Obviously, he's built up to do a lot of things," said Sveum, adding that Villanueva will pitch in a variety of roles.
For Garza, Tuesday's start marks the end of a long journey. He left his start against the Cardinals last July 21 with a cramped right triceps, and one month later was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a stress reaction in his right elbow.
He then strained his lat during a live batting-practice session in Spring Training.
In all, it was the longest the 29-year-old said he's ever been away from the game. He's definitely ready to be back.
"The mental part was the tough part," Garza said. "It was one setback after another, and it was, 'Keep going, keep going, keep going.' I'm just happy I'm here at the end of it, and can't wait 'til Tuesday."
CSF77
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Called it: Tue
patg006
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Definitely will be interesting. Is he going to be on a pitch/innings limit?
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Not sure that they will say, but would be very surprised if he went much past 90 pitches.
I like the trickle down effect of this move by putting Villanueva into the pen and likely Camp being dumped.
CSF77
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85-90 pitch count. In the article.
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lol. I noticed it in the article...was confused by the questioning.
CSF77
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All good. At least they are making sound decisions right now. Garza out move Carlos to the pen. Feldman has been remarkable after gaining command of his cutter. Next logical step is ass canning Camp and watching no team bother with him so they can store him in Iowa for a rainy day.
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Camp has to right to declare for free agency though. I am pretty sure Camp will just be gone at this point, but at 37 years old who the **** cares.
chibears55
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the rotation is starting to shape up pretty nice..
samardzija, wood, feldman, have been solid for the most part..
garza will be an improvement.. now they just need to get jackson on track..
bullpen has improved lately with fujikawa, russell, and gregg closing it out
samardzija, wood, feldman, have been solid for the most part..
garza will be an improvement.. now they just need to get jackson on track..
bullpen has improved lately with fujikawa, russell, and gregg closing it out
Franko725
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The Gregg move looks really good right now. Fujikawa has looked good since coming back from the DL. Jackson has shown signs of life the last few games. Even his loss yesterday wasn't a bad outing, actually had a quality start yesterday. A little more offensive support and he would have had a win.
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My favorite teams
I was wrong about the Gregg move...he's done well so far in his second stint.
Franko725
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I about puked when I heard that they signed him. So glad that I have been wrong so far.
Boobaby1
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Hope he pitches lights out so they can flip him at the deadline. Probably won't net much, but he didn't cost much either.
CSF77
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Again I'm under the opinion that if you suck you sell. If you are in it you buy.
Boobaby1
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No doubt. Garza may help pitching, but I don't see any offense to pull them out of this rut long-term.
CSF77
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That is why you want them to win. It forces them to add a bat or 2 by the deadline vs sell off spare parts.
To be perfectly honest if this team had a player like Headley at 3B it would cause a shift of Valbuena to 2B where they could put him into a platoon with Barney. Thus lessening the impact of Barney's lack of production.
RF has been fine for now. If Hairston gets back up to his normal production it would make a difference. But I'm believing this platoon his hurting him. His AB's are scattered and he is coming in cold every game. It takes constant AB's to keep timing intact and he is nothing more then a PH. Which is the reason why they should scrap the platoon thing. Few players can just come in and hit 1-2 times per week vs a lefty.
But on top of this:
If they are going into July as buyers I believe it would force them to extend Garza. And it would be a strong motivation for Garza to stay. VS looking at a 5 year rebuild play.
Think about it. He is going into F/A as the top arm. And he extends on a suck ass team? Riiiiiight.
mountsalami
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If Boy Blunder couldn't add LEGIT ML bats during the offseason when there's more to choose from via F/A. I seriously doubt it will happen by the deadline.
I foresee a firesale at the deadline for more A and AA prospects.
That's how this team was built.
CSF77
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Jed ran the Pads in 2010. That team on paper sucked. They were in it and added Miguel Tejada and Ryan Ludwick.
I believe they would do the same.
CSF77
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What kinda message are you sending to players if you are in it and then sell off players with out giving them a shot to play it out.
No one would want to play for you.
You would be an ass.
But if it is not working then it is normal to re-tool.
Nothing new here. This is common practice.
No one would want to play for you.
You would be an ass.
But if it is not working then it is normal to re-tool.
Nothing new here. This is common practice.
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