WATCH: Craig Counsell provides injury updates on Ryan Pressly, Javier Assad |
Tony Crumpton
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- 5 hours ago
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell met with the media Friday ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies with the latest injury updates on pitchers Ryan Pressly and Javier Assad, the confidence in reliever Daniel Palencia and more.
Watch the pregame interview below:
Video summary/cliff notes:
(00:00) Ryan Pressly Update: Pressly is dealing with a lingering issue that's become more of an annoyance; he's currently throwing and being evaluated. The team hopes to manage it quickly to ease his season-long load.
(01:22) Knee Drain Clarification: The knee drain sounds severe but is more common than fans might realize. It can be managed without a long-term absence.
(02:07) Javier Assad Injury: Assad re-aggravated a previous injury, diagnosed as a grade two strain. No timeline yet for his return.
(03:01) Bullpen Philosophy: The team operates on a "next man up" mindset with relievers, emphasizing attacking the strike zone and minimizing walks.
(04:07) Daniel Palencia & Confidence: Palencia's growth this year is credited to experience and a shift in mindset—focusing on what he can control.
(05:18) Porter Hodge Development: Hodge bounced back from early struggles and has shown resilience and improvement.
(05:47) Colin Rea’s Emergence: Rea has exceeded expectations, improving his pitch arsenal even in his 30s. His stuff is better than it seems on the surface.
(07:02) Team Growth & Chemistry: Counsell believes in the natural evolution of a team's confidence and persona throughout the season, citing the Japan trip as an early bonding experience.
(08:12) Armstrong’s Progress: Armstrong has improved defensively and at the plate, meeting expectations set in spring training.
(10:11) Letting Players Be Themselves: Counsell emphasizes emotional authenticity and growth through experience, supporting players like PCA to embrace their personality and energy.
