Cubs News: Ian Happ sidelined with leg injury |
This is not ideal news for the Chicago Cubs.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told the media Saturday that gold-glove left fielder Ian Happ has sustained a mild left hamstring strain. "Optimistic for Opening Day, but you’re not going to see him in games for a little bit here," Counsell told the media Saturday. "It’s spring training, so that leads us to be conservative. Regardless of the injury, it leads you to be conservative. Probably the most important thing is that we get Ian enough at-bats before Opening Day to be in a good spot offensively. And we’ll be in a good spot to do that." The hope is that he will be able to get a few games in before the start of the regular season. If he is un-able to go to start the season, the team can backdate the injury and he will likely miss only a few series. The next man up would likely be Alexander Canario in left field to start the season if Happ has to miss time. Top prospect Owen Caissie will start in left field for Happy today against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In other Cubs injury news, Patrick Wisdom is expected to return to action on Tuesday from his quad injury. Dom Smith and Garrett Cooper will likely get some at-bats while Wisdom is down.