Nagging wrist injury frustrating Cubs’ Stewart
Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart’s chronically sore left wrist isn’t getting better. Although surgery is the last option and the one everyone is trying to avoid, it could be in the offing if things don’t get better.
“It’s still sore,” said Stewart, who last week received a cortisone shot and a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic.
The shot didn’t provide the relief Stewart had hoped for and he continues to “take it slow.” He hit off a tee Monday and also hit some soft-toss pitches.
The wrist began bothering him last year while he was with Colorado. The Cubs traded outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu for Stewart last December. There’s little doubt the wrist played a part in Stewart’s slow start at the plate this season.
“It’s tough,” he said. “It’s weighed on me mentally. There just seems to be no relief from injections and stuff. It’s tough. Hopefully one of these days, it’s feeling better.”
On the subject of possible surgery, he said: “That’s probably what the next step is, if there is another one.”
Who’s next?Now that Anthony Rizzo has been called up, the talk turned to who might be next. #147;I think you have to earn it,#148; said general manager Jed Hoyer. #147;You have to earn getting up here as a minor-league player. Anthony certainly forced our hand, there#146;s no question. He went down there, put up as good of numbers as any player in the minor leagues and I think that#146;s the way it should be.#147;Players shouldn#146;t be promoted in the minor leagues based on draft status, based on trades. I don#146;t think we could look our players in the eye if Anthony hit .250 with 9 homers and we promoted him to the big leagues.#148;The Cubs wanted Rizzo to get a full year of Class AAA ball, which he essentially did between last year in the San Diego organization and this year.Center-field prospect Brett Jackson played 48 games at Class AAA Iowa last year, and he has played all of this year at Iowa so far. He has a hitting line of .255/.335/.490 with 11 homers, 32 walks and 110 strikeouts in 286 at-bats.#147;Brett can determine his own future by just dominating down there and forcing our hand,#148; Hoyer said. #147;I hope he does that. He#146;s a really good talent. He has a great future ahead of him. I think he#146;ll be in a Cub uniform for a long time, but when he forces us to call him up based on his performance, then I think we#146;ll see him here.#148;Ÿ Read more about Cubs third-base prospect Josh Vitters at the Daily Herald#146;s baseball blog, Chicago#146;s Inside Pitch, at dailyherald.com.BBN33352401Anthony Rizzo smiles and laughs as he takes the field against the Mets during the second inning Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.Associated PressBBN