Craig Counsell updates Ian Happ's injury |
Tony Crumpton
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- 1 day ago
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell met with the media ahead of Sunday's game against the New York Mets as he provided an update on Ian Happ, the development of Daniel Palencia and Miguel Amaya.
“He’s doing good,” Counsell said. “Yesterday, we didn’t do any activity, essentially. Today we are gonna run around, he’s gonna hit, and we’ll see how that goes. But if he’s hitting today, that’s a good sign. We will evaluate what the day produces.” This isn't a long-term injury. “We’re day-to-day, not discussing an IL or anything like that but just trying to be cautious for a day at least.” Watch the pregame interview below: Video summary/cliff notes: (00:00) Ian Happ was seen playing catch; Counsell reports he's "doing good" and will run and hit today — a positive sign in his recovery. (00:20) The team will evaluate Happ's condition based on how today's activities go. (00:28) Counsell emphasizes the importance of pitchers like Matthew Boyd during injuries to key players like Ian Happ and Justin Steele. (00:56) Boyd’s ability to provide deeper starts is vital; short outings across the rotation aren’t sustainable. (01:31) Boyd is off to a strong start, feeling confident and performing well — all encouraging signs. (02:13) Counsell praises young pitchers like Daniel Palencia for handling high-pressure moments, calling them foundational confidence-building experiences. (02:38) He notes that surviving those big moments now prepares players mentally for any future scenario, including playoff games. (02:56) Discusses the complexity of catching, especially when dealing with frequent pitcher changes and needing to adapt on the fly. (03:23) Highlights the mental strain on catchers like Miguel Amaya, noting the constant decisions they make across a full game. (03:43) Counsell applauds Miguel for staying sharp, adapting well to in-game challenges, and effectively managing his pitchers.
