Fowler won't put All-Star Game above health
Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler will begin a minor-league rehab assignment today at Class A South Bend.
Fowler, who has a right-hamstring injury, will be the DH in Friday's game, and the Cubs hope he can play the field Saturday. They'll evaluate him daily as he hopes to be able to participate in next Tuesday's All-Star Game as a starter. "I think my health is more important," Fowler said Thursday. "We've got a long season. I'm not going to push my health over a game, an exhibition game. If I can't play, I can't play. Obviously, I want to play. But I'd still go (to San Diego to take part in festivities)."
The Cubs say they have enough faith in Fowler to trust that he'll do the right thing as far as not risking re-injury.
"If he's feeling really well, I have no problem with it," said manager Joe Maddon. "That's part of the deal with Dex, is to be absolutely frank and honest with us about how he feels.
"Our primary objective is to make sure he's well and ready to play for the rest of the season and take us to the promised land. The opportunity to play in an All-Star Game for a guy like him is pretty grand. You don't want to get in the way of that if, in fact, he can. If he cannot, then I anticipate he'll tell me he cannot."
Fan injured:
During the rain delay before Thursday night's Cubs game against the Atlanta Braves, a fan was seen lying on the warning track in right-center field. The Cubs said the unidentified person attempted to jump from the bleachers onto the field.
The Cubs released the following statement: "Prior to tonight's game, a fan was injured after attempting to jump onto the field from the Wrigley Field bleachers. The fan was taken by paramedics to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
We are unable to provide further comment on his condition at this time. We will remain in contact with the fan's family to stay updated on his progress."
Maybe another start:
The Cubs will determine in the coming days whether Adam Warren will get a start in one of the games right after the all-star break. Warren, who opened this season in the bullpen, made his first start of the season Wednesday against the Reds and worked 5 innings, giving up 3 hits and 1 run.
"Possibly," Joe Maddon said. "We talked about that today and looking at coming out of the break, making sure that guys get significant rest among the starters coming out of the break. We're trying to patch that all together."
The Cubs come out of the break with games on six consecutive days, and Maddon said it's possible Warren could start one of those games.
Loving the All-Star Game:
Pitcher Jon Lester said he's excited to be going to the All-Star Game and that he's even happier that six of his Cubs teammates will be joining him. It will be Lester's fourth All-Star Game.
"It's nice, too, because some of those guys know guys you don't," he said. "When they're talking to those guys, you can kind of hang out and have your 'in' to meet some guys for the first time. That's how I got to meet (Yankees star Derek) Jeter and a couple other guys along the way, just through my teammates.
"That's pretty cool to have all those guys going. It's cool that we have a couple guys that it's their first one. I remember my first one like it was yesterday."