Happ hits disabled list with bruised left thumb
After a scorching start to the 2017 season, Ian Happ's momentum slowed down in recent days, and now an injury has brought it to a complete halt.The Cubs' No. 2 prospect was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday due to a bruised left thumb, a
After a scorching start to the 2017 season, Ian Happ's momentum slowed down in recent days, and now an injury has brought it to a complete halt.
The Cubs' No. 2 prospect was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday due to a bruised left thumb, a move that was made retroactive to April 29. Happ last played in a game the prior day, when he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Colorado Springs before being replaced at second base by Stephen Bruno after six innings.
Happ was assigned to Iowa out of Spring Training on April 4 and hit .311/.367/.733 with six homers, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 49 plate appearances over his first 11 games at the Triple-A level. He struck out six times. After April 16, he went 7-for-39 with two homers and seven RBIs in 47 plate appearances. His strikeout rate spiked as he whiffed 15 times in those 10 games.
The versatile 2015 first-round pick out of Cincinnati started 14 games at second and six in the outfield before the injury, and the Cubs were looking to further increase his versatility by giving him time at third base. He had yet to play an inning at the hot corner as a professional, but that didn't faze the organization.
"We're exploring the probability of starting working out with him at third base," Chicago Cubs Minor League infield coordinator Jose D. Flores told the Des Moines Register. "I think he's ready for that other challenge. He wants to start doing it right now, but we've decided as an organization, it's in his best interest that he stays at second base and play a little bit in the outfield for the time being."
That plan is on hold while Happ recovers from his injury, but the career .270/.359/.464 hitter may not be long for the Minors if he continues to produce upon his return -- depending how things shake out for the loaded Cubs at the Major League level.
"He's definitely ready. There's some things that we would like to create a little bit more consistency out of him, but right now, I've got no doubt in my mind that if someone happens to get hurt in the big leagues, I feel very comfortable that he can go up there and do the job," Flores told the Register.
The 22-year-old earned his promotion to Triple-A after posting a .279/.365/.445 batting line in 2016 at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee. He enjoyed a strong spring in Major League camp, hitting .383/.441/.750 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 68 plate appearances.
Chris Tripodi is an editor for MiLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @christripodi.
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