Crow-Armstrong set to rep Cubs at Futures Game
Cubs minor-league outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong grew up in the Los Angeles area, played for renowned high school program Harvard-Westlake and his mom, Ashley Crow, is an actor.
So he'll be right at home as the Cubs' representative in the MLB Futures Game on July 16, since it will be held at Dodger Stadium. Rosters for the game were announced Thursday.
"It's nice. I think he is a future star," Cubs manager David Ross told reporters before Thursday's game in Los Angeles. "The more you can put young guys in that environment, I think that's a great thing."
The White Sox will be represented by outfielder Oscar Colas, who is playing for Winston-Salem in Class A.
Two suburban natives were chosen for the game. McHenry High School product Bobby Miller is a right-hander for the Dodgers' Class AA team in Tulsa. Left-hander Antoine Kelly from Maine East is playing for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Milwaukee's entry in the Class A Midwest League.
Crow-Armstrong joined the Cubs from the Mets in the Javy Baez trade last July. He missed most of the 2021 season recovering from shoulder surgery, but was ready to go this spring.
He hit .354 with 7 home runs and 13 stolen bases for the Cubs' low A entry in Myrtle Beach. Promoted to high-A South Bend, Crow-Armstrong is still adjusting to the switch. He's hitting .234 in 18 games and missed a couple weeks with an injury.
Kelly faced the South Bend Cubs on Thursday night gave up 3 runs in 3 innings, but retired Crow-Armstrong twice. The Cubs ended up winning that game 8-6 on a walk-off grand slam by another high-ranked prospect, Owen Caissie.
Davis plots return:
Cubs outfielder Brennen Davis hit 2 home runs and was named MVP of last year's Futures Game in Denver. Davis started this season in Triple A, but had back surgery and has been out since May 3.
Davis gave an update to the Des Moines Register on Thursday and set a goal of playing again this season. The 6-foot-4 Arizona native said he'll begin a running program next week and baseball activities shortly after.
Rated the top prospect in the Cubs' farm system, Davis was hitting .195 with 2 home runs for the Iowa Cubs at the time of his injury.
Injury update:
Pitcher Justin Steele stayed back in Chicago and is awaiting the birth of his first child. ... Cubs manager David Ross said an MRI showed no structural damage to Kyle Hendricks sore right shoulder, so he'll give it some rest. ...
Nick Madrigal (groin strain) was in the Iowa Cubs lineup Thursday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI to start his rehab assignment. Pitcher Daniel Norris (left finger sprain) threw a scoreless inning against Indianapolis. ...
Pitchers Marcus Stroman (right shoulder inflammation) and Drew Smyly (oblique strain) threw bullpen sessions Thursday and could be close to returning to the active roster. Pitcher Wade Miley (left shoulder strain) played catch. ... Willson Contreras (hamstring) was not in the starting lineup for the third straight game.
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