NEW YORK — The buy-in from Chris Flexen happened immediately.
The Chicago Cubs believed they got the 2022 version of the right-hander that saw Flexen post a 3.73 ERA in 33 games with the Seattle Mariners rather than the one who had a 5.70 ERA over 62 games with three franchises the previous two seasons. His arm-slot adjustment made initially in spring training carried into the season, and results have followed.
Flexen, who started in Friday’s bullpen game at Yankee Stadium, recorded a 0.83 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season — three earned runs in 32 2/3 innings — for the fourth-lowest ERA in the majors (minimum of 15 games). He allowed three runs on three hits — including a Cody Bellinger two-run home run — with three walks and two strikeouts in four innings Friday against the New York Yankees.
“He figures out a way, and he’s a really good competitor,” manager Craig Counsell said before the series opener. “Once he puts his mind to something he’s very sure of how he wants to execute what he’s good at, what he’s got working and he goes about that in a just really clear-headed way. That’s what makes him successful.”
Flexen has thrived in the Cubs bullpen despite limited experience pitching in relief. Counsell credited the 31-year-old’s willingness to be used however the team needs him. He has become one of Counsell’s go-to options in extra innings when the pressure is on to keep the game tied.
“I’m sure he’s enjoying the opportunity tonight, but he’s been game for anything, and he’s been available,” Counsell said. “He’s pushed himself to go longer. In Houston, he did a really good job of that (with four innings), and really good for the team for that.
“I just think he takes these challenges and says, yeah, I’m going to go do it.”
Slumping Ian Happ out of lineup
The leadoff hitter has been in an offensive funk the last two weeks.
Happ was not in the lineup Friday amid a tough stretch. Nico Hoerner instead batted leadoff and Seiya Suzuki started in left field. Counsell wanted to give Happ a mental break as he struggles to get going again.
“It’s definitely not as bad as maybe the numbers look,” Counsell said. “It’s not a lot of strikeouts and swing and miss. He’s hitting a bunch of balls hard foul, and then there’s a flyout or something like that in there. And so it’s just one of those things that you go through, and as you’re going through it, it’s not fun for the player and you want to do good for the team, and you want to get on base and set the table.”
In his last 12 games, Happ is 3-for-47 (.064) with a .200 on-base percentage, one extra-base hit, eight walks and 14 strikeouts. He has been a little unlucky, too, owning a .091 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) during that stretch.
Injury updates
Right-hander Javier Assad (oblique strain) is slated to throw his first live batting practice Tuesday as he continues to build up. Assad hasn’t pitched this season after reaggravating the oblique injury he suffered days before spring training.
Catcher Miguel Amaya (oblique strain) is trending toward returning to the big leagues in late July. He will likely begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break, initially in Arizona, and likely will need one week of games, with rest built in, before he comes off the injured list. Backup catcher Reese McGuire’s strong performance allows for the Cubs to be cautious and make sure Amaya is fully recovered.
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