Chicago Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal has struggled given that the group acquired him in 2022, but manager David Ross says he totally expects him to return to the group at some point in the future.
Madrigal, who is hitting .247 in 93 at-bats with the Cubs this season, was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday soon after Kyle Hendricks was activated from the injured list.
For the duration of his pregame press availability, Ross stated the group had problems with numbers in the field and Madrigal was the odd man out.
“We’ve got a lot of guys competing for time at third base, and there is just not a lot of area for that ability set suitable now,” he stated. “(We’re) just attempting to get him back to obtaining his timing and swinging the baseball effectively.”
Madrigal identified himself at third base soon after the Cubs signed Dansby Swanson, pushing Nick Herner to second base.
Madrigal has but to hit a property run this season and has nine RBIs, two stolen bases and a .286 on-base percentage.
All round, his numbers are down considerably from his time with the White Sox, with noticeable drops in batting typical and on-base percentage.
Ross says Madrigal will continue to function at each second and third base in the minor leagues, and praised him for his willingness to take on a new position that essential him to function not only on his arm strength, but also his footwork and awareness. .
“The factor I am most proud of him is the way he took third base. He was clean there,” he stated. “It really is difficult to do, and it went unnoticed by the public.” I am frequently amazed at his capacity to make so lots of varieties of plays and the arm strength he’s constructed.”
With Edwin Rios and Miles Mastrobuoni remaining on the roster, and with Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morell taking most of the begins at third base, the field is crowded for the Cubs, but Ross says he hasn’t noticed the final of Madrigal.
“I am certain he’ll be back to assistance us incredibly quickly,” he stated.
He will nonetheless bounce about, play second and third. The factor I am most proud of him is the way he took third base. He was clean there. It is challenging to do, it has gone unnoticed by the public. I am frequently amazed at his capacity to make so lots of varieties of plays and the arm strength he has constructed.
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