Chicago Sun-Times

For Kimbrel, two outs, then one hit out

- BY STEVE GREENBERG, STAFF REPORTER sgreenberg@suntimes.com | @SLGreenber­g

It was only an intrasquad scrimmage. Chant that to yourselves as many times as you need to, Cubs fans.

But guess who gave up the first home run of 2020 at Wrigley Field? Let’s just rip the Band-Aid right off: It was Craig Kimbrel, who got two outs in his inning of work before surrenderi­ng a two-run blast to right center to Willson Contreras.

The whole production Tuesday evening was unready for prime time. The video board in left field was turned on, stadium lights were shining, a Cubs staffer played public-address announcer and batters heard their walk-up music. But there also was fake crowd music piped in, and it was quite odd. Cheers and a “Let’s go, Cubbies!” chant were poorly timed. Murmuring between pitches — seemingly a default setting — sounded completely unnatural.

So, it’s hard to make too much of a closer with a serious 2019 long-ball problem who brought back some bad memories watching Contreras’ ball fly.

But considerin­g what happened the last time Kimbrel pitched at Wrigley, it was impossible for the mind not to go there. “There” being the back-to-back homers by the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong in a 9-8 Cubs’ loss last September that dealt a decisive blow to any playoff hopes.

“He looks good,” manager David Ross said of Kimbrel earlier in the day. “All the numbers we’re getting back from the analytical group, and the data we’re receiving from these bullpens and these live sessions, have been great.”

Good? Great? It has been a while since either was there for the untrained eye to plainly see.

Rizz-oh-no

Anthony Rizzo was held out of the scrimmage — the only position player of note who didn’t play — because of tightness in his lower back.

Not good, but probably not too scary considerin­g the veteran first baseman has managed this sort of thing many times before.

Interestin­g, though, given Rizzo’s offseason weight loss, especially during the pandemic-caused baseball shutdown. Rizzo dropped about 25 pounds and is as light as he ever has been in the big leagues.

Joe West, old man

Ross and general manager Jed Hoyer reacted to controvers­ial comments from longtime umpire Joe West, who told the Athletic that he didn’t believe all deaths that have been attributed to the coronaviru­s were caused by the disease.

“His internal thoughts are what they are,” Ross said. “Those don’t concern me as much as just the fact that he comes to work and is a profession­al and does his job to the ability that he can and under the guidelines we’re going to be provided.”

“One of the challenges we have in general is that people have very different views of the virus,” Hoyer said. “There are people that aren’t concerned about it and act accordingl­y, and there are people that are very concerned about it and take every precaution. I think that’s one of the challenges we face as a country.”

 ?? JOHN ANTONOFF/SUN-TIMES ?? Manager David Ross praised Craig Kimbrel before the reliever served up a two-run home run to Willson Contreras in an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday.
JOHN ANTONOFF/SUN-TIMES Manager David Ross praised Craig Kimbrel before the reliever served up a two-run home run to Willson Contreras in an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday.

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