This wasn’t what the Cubs had in mind when they signed Andrelton Simmons.
The Cubs reinstated Simmons (right shoulder strain) from the injured list and then designated him for assignment before Saturday’s game against the Marlins. Manager David Ross had a simple explanation for why the Cubs made the move.
“There’s no room for him, to be honest,” Ross said.
If the Cubs need to call up an infielder, Ross said they’d bring back David Bote from Triple-A Iowa. Zach McKinstry and Christopher Morel are versatile and can play shortstop, making the 32-year-old Simmons expendable.
Simmons’ time with the Cubs didn’t go how anybody hoped. A four-time Gold Glove shortstop, the Cubs signed Simmons to a one-year, $4 million deal in March to provide depth and allow Ross to mix and match with Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal. That plan didn’t really come to fruition for Simmons, who was bothered by right shoulder issues and limited to 35 games and hit .173 over 75 at-bats.
“Phenomenal person, great professional,” Ross said. “I’m going to miss him personally. Really good conversations. Talked to him [Friday] at length, one of those situations that he very much understood. Just part of baseball.”
Good and bad
Morel got his first hit in August to snap an 0 for 25 skid, but wasn’t around to finish the day after leaving with right hamstring tightness.
Before the game, Ross was asked about potentially sitting a struggling young player, but preferred letting Morel play through it.
“It’s not always success here and you’ve got to let some guys have moments where [they struggle],” Ross said. “I don’t think taking people out of competition when they’re struggling is always the best thing because he’s going to be right back in the next day, right?”
Rough patches are part of the process for many young players, and Morel is no different. The hope for Ross and the Cubs is to see Morel and other developing players work through the hiccups and get better.
“You’ve just got to keep having a process, a routine, a way to get your work in and trust that on a daily basis and still go out there and compete to your best,” Ross said. “That’s also a skill set and a mindset that you have to develop as well at this level, because there is no escape route.”
Madrigal pinch-hit for Morel in the sixth and replaced him at second base. Ross said Morel felt tightness running the bases and is day-to-day.
Higgins impresses
Ross thought the game swung when Seiya Suzuki threw out Miguel Rojas at home on a Bryan De La Cruz single to end the third. Suzuki’s throw was strong, but up the first-base line. Higgins was able to pivot across the plate and tag Rojas.
“That’s how you’re taught as a catcher and he did it textbook,” Ross said. “That was a really nice catch and throw there from those two guys.”
Ross is impressed by Higgins’ ability to produce despite long layoffs, staying ready with a productive routine that keeps his timing consistent. The Cubs manager also mentioned Higgins’ game-calling and the way he prepares.
“Just very mature for the amount of time he has in,” Ross said.
