Sidelined with left wrist tendonitis, Cubs left fielder Joc Pederson has made “some really good progress” in the last two days, manager David Ross said Sunday.
Pederson landed on the 10-day injured list last week, retroactive to Wednesday.
He could start some light hitting as soon as this coming Tuesday, Ross said. Depending on how Pederson reacts to the increased activity, he could build up to live hitting by Friday or Saturday.
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“We have to obviously listen to him and the wrist,” Ross said. “And if the batting practice goes well, and then the next day there's no residual effects from that, then we’ll continue to push him forward.”
Pederson will stay behind when the Cubs leave for a seven-game road trip beginning Monday at Atlanta. He’s scheduled to work out at the South Bend alternate site. Pederson will become eligible to return from the IL when the Cubs are in Cincinnati.
RELATED: Hoerner seizes chance to ‘prove’ he’s earned starting role
With the veteran left-fielder out, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner has taken Pederson's vacated spot on the active roster. The Cubs recalled Hoerner from the alternate site on Thursday. Asked if Hoerner will automatically be sent down when Pederson returns, Ross said nothing had been pre-determined.
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“Every major leaguer, especially young major leaguers, have to go out and prove that they belong here,” Ross said. “I think he’s well on his way to doing that. There's guys that come up and force your hand sometimes too, right? Some guys come up and are playing really well, and it's hard to send them back down. You want to have the best team you possibly can.”