The Latest Breaking News from David Ross

Suzuki took live batting practice off Cubs pitchers Marcus Stroman and Drew Smyly, who are also recovering from injuries.

It hasn’t exactly been the best of times for Tony La Russa and David Ross, the two baseball managers in a baseball town.

ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs hit town for the first time this season, having lost 14 of their previous 17 games since the Cardinals were at Wrigley Field in June. But the Cubs also hit town with soft-tossing right-hander Kyle Hendricks, against whom the Cardinals had a similar career…

Entering the Cubs’ game Friday against the Cardinals, Happ ranked third among National League outfielders in wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs.

Bote was expected to return from the 60-day IL earlier this month but was pulled from his rehab assignment with what the team described as bouts of dizziness.

Despite his final line in a loss to the Pirates, Steele and Cubs manager David Ross called the start Thursday one of the southpaw’s best this season.

In a two-city road trip to Pittsburgh and St. Louis, the Cubs are playing the teams directly above them in the division standings.

The Cubs recalled right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. in a corresponding move.

CHICAGO — When Stephen Colbert watched Chicago Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel pitch in relief during an 18-4 loss to the New York Yankees a few weeks ago, the late-night talk show host was amused by his eephus pitch.