Contreras, Bryant get a breather
CINCINNATI — Catcher Willson Contreras and third baseman
Kris Bryant got the night off in the Cubs’ 8-5 victory Tuesday against the Reds.
It was just a normal day off for Contreras, but Bryant’s was more of a maintenance day. He has been dealing with some minor bumps and bruises, manager David Ross said.
‘‘That was just a long game for [Contreras] last night,’’ Ross said Tuesday. ‘‘KB is dealing with a few little bumps and bruises. He’s got a little elbow thing that I want to make sure we get on top of it immediately and that it doesn’t become a bigger issue.
‘‘He extended out in front of a pitch a little bit on his left elbow, but he’s not too concerned. He’s been dealing with a lot of little things.
‘‘Willson, I saw last night just as a really long game and a long travel day. You know, he worked his tail off last night with that pitching staff, and I need that guy to be as fresh as he possibly can be. So, yeah, just a scheduled day off.’’
Ross added that Bryant hasn’t had any tests on the elbow but has been getting treatment from the training staff.
Souza Jr. happy to be back
Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. waited a long time to play in his first regular-season game since suffering torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments and a partially torn posterior collateral ligament and posterior lateral capsule in his left knee while slipping on home plate during an exhibition game March 25, 2019.
Souza went 1-for-5 in the Cubs’ 8-7 victory Monday against the Reds, with a two-run double in his first at-bat of 2020.
‘‘It was just overwhelming,’’ Souza said of his first game back. ‘‘I think being back, you know, [Cincinnati] is where I had my surgery. And then the overwhelming, like, sense of support from all my teammates just flooded me, and it just brought me back to being thankful for all the people that impacted me. It was just a really cool moment.’’
Quintana update
Left-hander Jose Quintana will throw his first bullpen session Wednesday. Quintana had surgery to repair a cut of the sensory nerve in his left thumb July 2 and has been out since the start of summer camp.
Quintana has been playing long toss from 105 feet, and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said bullpen sessions would be the next step in his rehab after building arm strength.