Cubs Daily Clips
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August 10, 2017 Cubs.com, Contreras injures hamstring, DL stint likely http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/247433792/cubs-willson-contreras-likely-bound-for-dl/ Cubs.com, Cubs to embrace fun during Players Weekend http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/247276470/cubs-to-celebrate-players-weekend/ Cubs.com, Almora homers, but Cubs edged by Giants http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/247387822/madison-bumgarner-pitches-giants-over-cubs/ Cubs.com, Cubs put Uehara on DL, call up Grimm http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/247389784/cubs-koji-uehara-to-dl-justin-grimm-called-up/ Cubs.com, Lackey set for Cubs' rematch vs. Goldy http://atmlb.com/2usHyEs ESPNChicago.com, Cubs face their biggest test yet without Willson Contreras http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/45330/cubs-face-their-biggest-test-yet-without-willson- contreras ESPNChicago.com, Cubs' Willson Contreras set for MRI after injuring hamstring while running out ground ball http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296297/willson-contreras-chicago-cubs-suffers-injury-running- ground-ball CSNChicago.com, Nightmare scenario for Cubs: Willson Contreras expected to hit DL with hamstring injury http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/nightmare-scenario-cubs-willson-contreras-expected-hit-dl- hamstring-injury CSNChicago.com, Why is Joe Maddon still harping on bad defense and waiting for Cubs to play with more focus? http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/why-joe-maddon-still-harping-bad-defense-and-waiting-cubs-play- more-focus CSNChicago.com, Cubs bullpen takes a hit with Koji Uehara going on the DL http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-bullpen-takes-hit-koji-uehara-going-dl-maddon-justin-grimm Chicago Tribune, Cubs face somber scenarios after Willson Contreras' hamstring injury http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-willson-contreras-injury-cubs-spt-0810-20170809- story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp2 Chicago Tribune, Cubs catcher Alex Avila says he's ready for additional workload http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-alex-avila-ready-cubs-notes-spt-0810-20170809- story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs place Koji Uehara on 10-day DL with neck strain http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-koji-uehara-20170809-story.html Chicago Tribune, Giants take series from Cubs, who have now lost 6 of their last 8 games http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-giants-spt-0810-20170809-story.html Chicago Tribune, Ridiculous to criticize Joe Maddon for his Hazleton comments http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-joe-maddon-hazleton-cubs-haugh-20170809- column.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs set playoff ticket prices for season-ticket holders http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-playoff-ticket-prices-cubs-20170809-story.html Chicago Sun-Times, New Cub Alex Avila steps into big role after Willson Contreras’ injury http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/new-cub-alex-avila-steps-into-big-role-after-willson-contreras-injury/ Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs brace for worst after Willson Contreras suffers hamstring injury http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-catcher-willson-contreras-injures-hamstring-in-san-francisco/ Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs put Koji Uehara on DL, recall Justin Grimm http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-put-koji-uehara-on-dl-recall-justin-grimm/ Daily Herald, Imrem: Signs not looking good for Chicago Cubs http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170809/imrem-signs-not-looking-good-for-chicago-cubs -- Cubs.com Contreras injures hamstring, DL stint likely By Jonathan Hawthorne SAN FRANCISCO -- Willson Contreras, the face of the Cubs' offensive resurgence of late, is likely headed to the disabled list after injuring himself Wednesday while running out an inning-ending groundout. The Cubs lost the game, 3-1, and the series to the Giants. Contreras will travel with the team to Arizona and undergo an MRI exam on Thursday. The team expects to release the results Friday before the Cubs face the D-backs. The Cubs will likely recall Victor Caratini trom Triple-A Iowa as a backup catcher. He went 2-for-3 with two doubles on Wednesday. Contreras -- the newly minted National League Player of the Week -- was moving down the line normally after lining a routine grounder when he pulled up shy of first base, grabbing his right hamstring. He continued to limp down the line, hopping on his left foot before falling down to the grass. He was later helped off the field by team trainers. "That's no fun," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "Having been an expert in pulling hamstrings -- which it appeared to have been -- it's no fun. It's hurts. Everything you do, it grabs. But who knows? Maybe it's not going to be as bad as we think. We'll find out tomorrow." Anthony Rizzo, who entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the top of the eighth, took over first-base duties in the bottom of the frame. "It's tough," Rizzo said. "Obviously, he's producing very good for us. He's turned into a horse, and we just have to step up and pick him up." Rizzo said he talked with his teammate after the game. Rizzo reported that Contreras was in good spirits. "He said he's had worse than this before," Rizzo said. "Injuries like that -- when you see someone grab like that -- it's not very good. But you never know." Maddon indicated that an injury to a surging player like Contreras could galvanize the team. "They know that he's not here right now," Maddon said. "They know how important he's been to us. And now other guys realize, 'Hey. Let's go. We have to pick up the slack that has been created.' I've seen it before." The injury came at the height of Contreras' surge at the plate. He tallied his third career multi-homer game on Sunday and entered Wednesday with five blasts in his previous six games. Contreras, who normally plays behind the plate, leads all catchers in the Majors will 70 RBIs and a .519 slugging percentage. He's tied for first with 21 homers. Chicago will rely on catcher Alex Avila, whom the team acquired from the Tigers before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, with Contreras sidelined. Maddon said he's been impressed with the 30-year-old in a limited sample size. "I've liked what Alex has done so far, I really have," Maddon said. "Watching him and watching his method, he's actually thrown the ball really well, too. There's a lot to like there." -- Cubs.com Cubs to embrace fun during Players Weekend By Jonathan Hawthorne SAN FRANCISCO -- Later this month, during the inaugural Players Weekend, Kyle Schwarber will be reminded of his early days on a baseball diamond. "It'll bring it back to being that kid again when you're out there on the field," Schwarber said of the Aug. 25-27 weekend. "Just going out there to play the game and have fun. It's a reminder of bringing it back to dreaming and aspiring for the Majors." MLB and the Players Association on Wednesday unveiled their plans for the weekend, which will feature colorful, non-traditional uniforms with alternate designs. Players will have personalized nicknames in place of their last names. The everyday spikes, batting gloves, wristbands, catchers' gear and bats will also get a unique branding. After the weekend, game-worn Players Weekend jerseys will be auctioned at MLB.com/auctions with 100 percent of the net proceeds donated to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. The initiative was established in July 2015 with a $30 million commitment to improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs in the United States and Canada. "I think it's just good for the game," third baseman Kris Bryant said. "I think to have those crazy colors -- with the rules a little more loose -- makes it more fun and gets people involved." Players will also have a special patch on their sleeves that depicts the process of a child evolving to a Major Leaguer. Under the logo is a white space where every player will inscribe the name of a person whom they are grateful to for helping them advance their careers. For Bryant and Schwarber, that call was easy. Both will write: "Mom and Dad." The two figure that will be a pretty common selection across the Majors. "My parents had a big influence on me when I was a kid," Schwarber said. "They did everything possible for me to have a successful baseball career. ... They deserve all the credit for where I'm at." And neither Bryant nor Schwarber had to think too hard about which nickname to use. Bryant will opt for "KB" while Schwarber will use "Schwarbs." "It gets the fans involved, too, because they just see us sometimes as players," Bryant said. "Now they can get a look into what we call each other. It's going to be cool." Both are excited to see what their teammates pick -- not to mention other players in the Majors. "It's just a nice weekend for us to kind of choose what we want to do," Bryant said. "I think that's great. I'll be looking forward to learning a few nicknames along the way." A preview of the promotion will take place Sunday, Aug. 20, when the Pirates and Cardinals don alternate uniforms for the first MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa. The Cubs will get their turn the following weekend in Philadelphia, where they'll face the Phillies in a three-game series.