Chicago Cubs' Contreras serves his suspension
Things worked out just fine for Willson Contreras and the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Manager Joe Maddon was going to give Contreras the day off anyway. Major League Baseball made things even easier by deciding to cut Contreras' suspension from two games to one. So Contreras served it Sunday on his day off.
No doubt Contreras' contrition contributed to MLB cutting the suspension in half and doing the Cubs a favor in the process.
Contreras and starting pitcher John Lackey were ejected from Friday's 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals for arguing with home-plate umpire Jordan Baker over a called ball when Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez was at the plate.
Lackey, who was fined but not suspended, started the commotion to reacting both after the call and the subsequent RBI single by Martinez. Contreras joined in and was ejected. He slammed his mask to the ground, and it bounced and hit Baker.
Although Lackey expressed no regrets about his actions, Contreras said he was sorry about it after Friday's game. Before Saturday's game, he sought out Baker, apologized, and the two men shook hands. After Saturday's game, Contreras again said he was sorry.
"Good news, of course it's good news," Maddon said. "We get one game over with and then move it on from there. Get it off his mind and play it forward. That's it."
Maddon has wanted to ease Contreras back into action since he came off the disabled list Sept. 10 after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Awaiting Arrieta's next:
Joe Maddon said pitcher Jake Arrieta felt good after Saturday's bullpen session.
"He felt really good when he left yesterday," Maddon said. "I asked him just to stop in again today and talk to me about it. On the exit last night after the game, he came into the office. He was feeling really solid."
The Cubs say Arrieta will not start at Tampa Bay this week. Jon Lester will start Tuesday night against the Rays, and the Cubs are officially TBA for the second and final game of the series Wednesday.
Honoring Joe:
This week in Tampa Bay will be a homecoming for Joe Maddon, who managed the Rays for nine years, including to an American League pennant in 2008.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays will honor Maddon with a video tribute.