MESA, Ariz. — Seventeen years ago, Ryan Pressly was freshly drafted by the Boston Red Sox and reported to the team’s complex in Florida, where a rehabbing pitcher grabbed his attention.
Tommy Hottovy, now entering his seventh season as the Chicago Cubs pitching coach, was working back from Tommy John surgery when he crossed paths with the hard-throwing Texan. Hottovy spent the summer working out with the Red Sox’s Gulf Coast League players, a group that included Pressly, then 19.
Pressly — whom the Cubs traded for last month — remembers Hottovy, then 27, acting like an “absolute clown” during team stretching to keep things loose.
“I was trying to keep it light down there,” Hottovy said, smiling.
Added Pressly: “Just a great guy to be around. And watching him, knowing how he carried himself in the clubhouse and on the field, it’s something that I always wanted to mimic as well.”
That summer of 2008 was the start of nearly a year Hottovy and Pressly spent as teammates. They remained together that winter while Pressly went through offseason programming and Hottovy continued to rehab. After remaining in extended spring training the next year, they both reported to Low-A Lowell when the 2009 season began.
“It’s amazing to see where he is in his career now and what he’s been able to do, and just look at this kid who was this 19-year-old high school kid that could throw and do some amazing things,” Hottovy said. “And now to be this veteran pitcher who’s had a ton of success, it was really fun to see the career and the path he’s had.”
Pressly’s trade from the Houston Astros reunited the pair as the 36-year-old right-hander looks to help the Cubs get back to the postseason. He’s expected to play a big role in the back end of the bullpen, likely getting the first shot to close games.
“He’s a very intense guy, and when he’s on the mound he’s an ultimate competitor,” Hottovy said. “But I feel a sense of relaxation from him, which is a good thing for a guy who’s basically been with two major-league organizations (the Minnesota Twins and Astros) in his whole career.
“And to feel the comfort he has now, he’s going to bring a ton of experience (and) knowledge that I want a lot of our young relievers to be able to experience.”
Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner are ready for camp
Although the Cubs don’t hold their first full-squad workout until Friday, multiple position players already have reported to camp, including shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Swanson underwent hernia surgery in October, and though he is fully healthy for the start of camp, manager Craig Counsell anticipates the Cubs will be careful with Swanson’s ramp-up. They want him to run around on the field a couple more days with increasing intensity but otherwise expect the 31-year-old to be on track for the season.
“We would probably go slow with Dansby,” Counsell said Wednesday. “He’s going to be good to go. … He’s out here doing everything.”
Second baseman Nico Hoerner, who had surgery on his right flexor tendon in October, still is going through his throwing and hitting progressions, though the latter is less of a concern in the rehab process. Counsell said the team will be “very disciplined” with Hoerner’s throwing as he builds arm strength.
“I’m not focused, nor is Nico focused, on ‘I’m ready for this game or that game’ — he’s not going to miss much, if at all,” Counsell said. “I’m confident in that.”
Javier Assad shut down; Ben Brown to be stretched out
An MRI showed a mild left oblique strain for right-hander Javier Assad, who will be shut down until the symptoms subside.
Counsell considered it good news after Assad felt the issue pop up last week following a workout on a bullpen day.
“I don’t think it’s going to be many days that we’re without throwing,” Counsell said. “I expect to see him back out there throwing shortly.”
The Cubs built up their starting pitching depth with the offseason additions of right-handers Colin Rea and Cody Poteet to a group that includes right-handers Ben Brown and Caleb Kilian and left-hander Jordan Wicks. Right-hander Nate Pearson will be built up to pitch multiple innings but isn’t considered part of the starting pitching group.
“We’re in the mode right now, if you’ve pitched a lot of innings you’re getting stretched out, or if you have the ability to be a starter you’re going to stretch out and then we can make adjustments there,” Counsell said. “It’s just easier to go backward than go forward, in terms of stretching guys out.”
Brown didn’t pitch after June 8 last season because of a benign area of concern in his neck. He is “fully operational,” Counsell said Wednesday, and will be stretched out this spring to put him among the options for the season-opening rotation. Brown is full go as camp gets underway and threw a bullpen Wednesday.
“Going hard, doing everything that you’d want a healthy pitcher to do,” Counsell said. “The injury is in the rearview mirror, just a healthy player going at it.”
Chicago Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and newly acquired reliever Ryan Pressly spent nearly a year as teammates 17 years ago.
MESA, Ariz. — Seventeen years ago, Ryan Pressly was freshly drafted by the Boston Red Sox and reported to the team’s complex in Florida, where a rehabbing pitcher grabbed his attention.
Tommy Hottovy, now entering his seventh season as the Chicago Cubs pitching coach, was working back from Tommy John surgery when he crossed paths with the hard-throwing Texan. Hottovy spent the summer working out with the Red Sox’s Gulf Coast League players, a group that included Pressly, then 19.
Pressly — whom the Cubs traded for last month — remembers Hottovy, then 27, acting like an “absolute clown” during team stretching to keep things loose.
“I was trying to keep it light down there,” Hottovy said, smiling.
Added Pressly: “Just a great guy to be around. And watching him, knowing how he carried himself in the clubhouse and on the field, it’s something that I always wanted to mimic as well.”
That summer of 2008 was the start of nearly a year Hottovy and Pressly spent as teammates. They remained together that winter while Pressly went through offseason programming and Hottovy continued to rehab. After remaining in extended spring training the next year, they both reported to Low-A Lowell when the 2009 season began.
“It’s amazing to see where he is in his career now and what he’s been able to do, and just look at this kid who was this 19-year-old high school kid that could throw and do some amazing things,” Hottovy said. “And now to be this veteran pitcher who’s had a ton of success, it was really fun to see the career and the path he’s had.”
Pressly’s trade from the Houston Astros reunited the pair as the 36-year-old right-hander looks to help the Cubs get back to the postseason. He’s expected to play a big role in the back end of the bullpen, likely getting the first shot to close games.
“He’s a very intense guy, and when he’s on the mound he’s an ultimate competitor,” Hottovy said. “But I feel a sense of relaxation from him, which is a good thing for a guy who’s basically been with two major-league organizations (the Minnesota Twins and Astros) in his whole career.
“And to feel the comfort he has now, he’s going to bring a ton of experience (and) knowledge that I want a lot of our young relievers to be able to experience.”
Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner are ready for camp
Although the Cubs don’t hold their first full-squad workout until Friday, multiple position players already have reported to camp, including shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Swanson underwent hernia surgery in October, and though he is fully healthy for the start of camp, manager Craig Counsell anticipates the Cubs will be careful with Swanson’s ramp-up. They want him to run around on the field a couple more days with increasing intensity but otherwise expect the 31-year-old to be on track for the season.
“We would probably go slow with Dansby,” Counsell said Wednesday. “He’s going to be good to go. … He’s out here doing everything.”
Second baseman Nico Hoerner, who had surgery on his right flexor tendon in October, still is going through his throwing and hitting progressions, though the latter is less of a concern in the rehab process. Counsell said the team will be “very disciplined” with Hoerner’s throwing as he builds arm strength.
“I’m not focused, nor is Nico focused, on ‘I’m ready for this game or that game’ — he’s not going to miss much, if at all,” Counsell said. “I’m confident in that.”
Javier Assad shut down; Ben Brown to be stretched out
An MRI showed a mild left oblique strain for right-hander Javier Assad, who will be shut down until the symptoms subside.
Counsell considered it good news after Assad felt the issue pop up last week following a workout on a bullpen day.
“I don’t think it’s going to be many days that we’re without throwing,” Counsell said. “I expect to see him back out there throwing shortly.”
The Cubs built up their starting pitching depth with the offseason additions of right-handers Colin Rea and Cody Poteet to a group that includes right-handers Ben Brown and Caleb Kilian and left-hander Jordan Wicks. Right-hander Nate Pearson will be built up to pitch multiple innings but isn’t considered part of the starting pitching group.
“We’re in the mode right now, if you’ve pitched a lot of innings you’re getting stretched out, or if you have the ability to be a starter you’re going to stretch out and then we can make adjustments there,” Counsell said. “It’s just easier to go backward than go forward, in terms of stretching guys out.”
Brown didn’t pitch after June 8 last season because of a benign area of concern in his neck. He is “fully operational,” Counsell said Wednesday, and will be stretched out this spring to put him among the options for the season-opening rotation. Brown is full go as camp gets underway and threw a bullpen Wednesday.
“Going hard, doing everything that you’d want a healthy pitcher to do,” Counsell said. “The injury is in the rearview mirror, just a healthy player going at it.”
More in Chicago Cubs
