UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JUNE 23: Assistant coach Jim Hiller of the New York Islanders works the bench during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at the Nassau Coliseum on June 23, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are headed to the Stanley Cup Final. They defeated the New York Islanders in what ended up being a magnificent seven-game series. They won game seven thanks to heroic performances by their goaltender and then some clutch scoring. They will face the Montreal Canadiens in the final series of the regular season. As for the Islanders, they have another offseason of trying to figure out how to win that big game. It makes you wonder if the Chicago Blackhawks will try and take advantage of them this summer.
The ChicagoBlackhawks might try to snag some Islanders before they move.
No team returns exactly the way that it left the following year. The Islanders are taking that to a whole new level as they aren’t even returning to the same arena. The Nassau Coliseum has been their home for decades and now they are going to be moving into a brand new building. “The Coli”, as it’s known around the Long Island area, died with the series.
The Islanders are going to be very active this offseason. They are a very good team that has a lot of potential over the next few years. They might let a few of their pending free agents walk so that they can spend a little money this offseason but you never know what happens.
The Chicago Blackhawks, unfortunately, believe that they are contenders for whatever reason. They might look towards the Islanders for free agent help this offseason as they have a couple of good ones. These are the three free agents that the Blackhawks would most likely pursue this year:
It’s usually a quiet week as we head into a July 4 weekend. Some places will have Independence Day events, others might close for the holiday. But we will also be adding events as they come in, including more fundraisers for Skeleton Key.
Monday, June 28
No events for today. But please check back, we update continuously.
Tuesday, June 29
7:00 pm • Side Lot Bingo! Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map We’re playing Bingo again! Get ready to shake your balls every Tuesday night at Side Lot Brewery. Limited seating is available both inside and outside. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROPERTY & ANYTIME YOU’RE NOT SEATED. If this is a problem, stay home.
Wednesday, June 30
5:00 – 8:00 pm • Bell’s Cheers To Independence The Open Bottle, 7101 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, IL 708-263-0449 Map If you know anything about Bell’s, you know they’re fiercely independent. Formed in 1985, Bell’s Brewery has been family-owned and operated ever since. To celebrate Bell’s and summer, we’re holding a Cheers to Independence night & tapping two of our favorites: Oberon & Two Hearted. You’ll get to keep the pint glass with any purchase of Oberon, and we’ll kick be raffling off an EPIC Oberon Summer Prize Pack that includes a hammock, pool float, beach towel and a (drumroll please) USA Custom Bell’s BARBEQUE! Any purchase of Oberon or Two Hearted on draft gets a raffle ticket & the raffle will run until both beers tap out. We can’t wait to celebrate independence & one of the stalwarts of American craft brewing with you! Oberon is how we kick off summer. This light drinking American Pale Wheat has a spicy hop character with a mild fruit finish. It’s the beer that lets us know summer is finally here. Two Hearted is an American IPA brewed with 100% Centennial hops. It’s a little sip of heaven & perfect with everything. Notes of pine and grapefruit sing out as if your taste buds were an angelic choir letting you know you chose the right beer. This beer is perfectly balanced & an all-time legend.
6:00 pm • Sidelot Hops Imperial Oak Brookfield, 9526 W. Ogden Ave., Brookfield, IL (708) 387-0050 Map Join us for a weekly workout and a beer in Brookfield. “Sidelot Hops” is a 50-minute, full-body workout that incorporates strength, cardio, core, mobility, and stretching components. Sweat it out every Wednesday at 6pm, then reward yourself with a nice cold pint in the pub! Bring a yoga mat, light to medium dumbbells if you like, a sweat towel, and a bottle of water. Just $20 covers your 50-minute session and your cool down pint of choice!
7:00 pm • Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia Trivia The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave. Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708-226-1827 Map According to Dennis, what does the “D” in The D.E.N.N.I.S. System stand for? Which Sunny character does Dennis hit with his car? Who does Charlie first tell that he has cancer? Which one of the gang quotes the Bible? What movie did Dennis rent that upsets Mac because he wasn’t consulted in the decision? If you can answer any of these questions then join us for It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Trivia and win some prizes. It’s free to play. Call the bar during business hours to reserve your table . Hosted by Finer Points Trivia.
7:00 pm • Trivia Wednesdays at Black Lung Black Lung Brewing Co., 2217 IL-83, Round Lake Beach, IL (847) 340-3320 Map Fantastic fun through trivia and yummy craft beer drinking!!! With Dancing In The Rain DJ!! Food always available from Ron’s Italian Ovens! Just go to their website, enter as a “pick up”, then under food instructions type “black lung”, and they deliver for free.
8:00 – 9:00 pm • Band and Beera Caboose Park, 37908 N Fairfield Rd, Lake Villa, IL Map The Lindenhurst Park District’s Wednesday show goes to WEEK #5: we head over to Lake Villa Township Caboose Park as we feature an old fav- Modern Day Romeos from 7-8:30pm. Black Lung Brewing Company will be pouring some foamy, hazy favorites for you to quench your thirst!
Thursday, July 1
3:00 pm • New Zealand Lager Tapping Goldfinger Brewing Co., 513 Rogers St., Downers Grove, IL (630) 541-9728 Map We’re excited to announce that we will be tapping our New Zealand lager on Thursday just in time for 4th of July weekend! This beer is an exploration of the relationship between the mother German noble hop variety Hallertau Mittelfrüh (the hop we use in our Original lager) and its offspring Wai-iti; bred and grown in New Zealand. This was the first experimental lager we brewed last year, and it exposed tons of potential as the two hops enhanced each other in interesting ways. This established a foundation from which we built an updated recipe that strikes a perfect balance of aroma, flavor, bitterness, and dryness. This year’s version features a beautiful bouquet of peach, tangerine, and slight dankness in the aroma as a result of dry hopping. It is followed by an initial malty sweetness that delivers candied fruit flavors with honey and biscuit undertones. The beer finishes dry, crisp, and refreshing staying true to its lager qualities. As an added bonus this year, we will be canning a portion of this batch that will only be available for purchase in our taproom (no distro). New Zealand Lager | Hoppy Lager | Step Mash | 7.2% abv | 40 IBU
4:00 – 9:30 pm • Thursday Night Tacos! Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map You’ve been asking when Tacos are coming back to Side Lot. Taco Thursdays kick off on June 3rd and will continue every Thursday night. Make your reservations!
4:00 – 6:00 pm • Fruited Belt & Suspenders Tapping Orange & Brew, 1027 Burlington Ave., Downers Grove, IL (630) 541-3880 Map Start your holiday weekend off right as we do a BuckleDown Brewing tap takeover! The highlight will be all four fruited Belt & Suspenders IPA’s… Blood Orange and Grapefruit, plus this year’s newest versions, Pineapple and Mango! Plus, meet some of our friends from BuckleDown and have a chance at some swag!
6:00 pm • Arrowhead Beer & Food Pairing Arrowhead Ales Brewing Co., 2101 Calistoga Dr., New Lenox, IL 815-717-6068 Map We will be hosting our first ever beer and food pairing event on July 1st at on our covered outdoor patio and we would love for you to join us! This event is limited to 30 tickets. To make a reservation, call us during normal business hours at 815-717-6068 $70 – per person includes tax and gratuity.
6:00 – 8:30 pm • Chicago Brew Cruise Chicago Firebot ToursMap Chicago Fireboat Tours and Phase Three Brewing Co. are partnering up to offer one of the most unique experiences in Chicago, every Thursday evening all summer-long!! Phase Three Brewing Company will be bringing just days-old fresh, new releases directly from their Chicagoland brewery every week to serve aboard Chicago Fireboat Tours’ 1933 retired Chicago Fireboat, the Fred A. Busse. Boarding begins at 6:00p.m and the boat departs at 6:30pm for a 2-hour sunset cruise. The Brew Cruise will start on the lake, float through the locks and right into the heart of downtown Chicago via the Chicago River, enjoying world-class views, an amazing sunset, and great music; all paired with fresh, innovative craft beers and hard seltzers. Tickets are $45 per person at www.fireboattours.com, and include your 1st Phase Three brew once onboard.
6:00 pm • Solemn Oath/Rhinegeist Collab Sovereign Restaurant, 24205 W. Lockport St., Plainfield, IL 815-556-8577 Map Join us as we welcome our pals from Solemn Oath and Rhinegeist for a specialty tapping event. Nick Scoffield of SOB and Matt Turczak from Rhinegeist will be in attendance to talk beer, hang out, and be generally great dudes. Beers being tapped: Solemn Oath/Rhinegeist R4 Hazy Pale Ale w/ Citra, Azacca & Jarrylo Solemn Oath Lu Kolsch Rhinegeist Bubbles Rosé Beer Rhinegeist Truth American IPA
8:00 – 10:30 pm • Bike-In Movie Night! feat. Pee Wee’s Big Adventure! Rabid Brewing, 17759 Bretz Dr., Homewood, IL 708-960-3193 Map A Bike-In Movie showing of a film about a boy and his bike (postponed from last weekend due to rain. Sponsored by GoodSpeed Cycles – Homewood to support South Suburban Family Shelter. Donations encouraged through Paypal.
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Meet The Blogger
Mark McDermott
Writer, trivia maven, fan of many things. I thought to learn all there is to know about beer as a way to stay interested in learning. It is my pleasure to bring Chicago’s craft beer scene to you.
IL pols fail to pass Gov Pritzker’s proposed (A) phase out of coal and natural gas production & (B) subsidies for nukes and they do little to help minorities escape failing schools; Watch Berkowitz & Martin discuss the Titanic style ending to IL’s Springfield spring session- on Cable & Web
–In 25 Chicago Metro North and Northwest suburbs, Tuesday at 8:30 pm on either Ch 19 or Ch35 (See below for more airing details)
— in Aurora, this Monday, Wed and Saturday at 6 pm, Cable Ch 10
— in Highland Park, this Monday and Wed, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch 19
— in Rockford, this Thursday, 8:30 pm, Cable Ch. 17
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Jeff Berkowitz (Public Affairs’ Host and Illinois Channel Chicago Bureau Chief) and Terry Martin (Illinois Channel’s Executive Director) discuss why the Illinois legislature was unable to pass Governor Pritzker’s desired energy legislation and why that might be a good thing for all concerned!
In a cameo, the Governor articulates his primary IL energy goal—to promote clean energy to deal with Climate Change, apparently by example, since IL can’t influence U. S. “Climate change policy,” let alone world-wide causes of carbonization, led by China, India and Russia, who couldn’t care less about such stuff.
It’s possible the Governor has his eye on a Presidential run in 2024, and he wants to virtue signal his support for clean energy by becoming the first Midwest coal state to terminate coal production (by 2035) and natural gas production (by 2045).
Former GOP Primary Gov candidate and State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) punctures the Governor’s climate change obsession with facts and calls Dems who support his energy policies “Morons and crazy.”
Berkowitz discusses why Competitive Power Ventures (“CPV”), a Silver Spring, Md.-based power generator, threatened to pull the plug on a massive, gas-fired 1.3 billion dollar facility it’s building in Morris if the energy bill as drafted was passed.
Senate President Don Harmon was quoted in Crain’s Chicago last week, explaining why his Senate Democratic Caucus’ pulled the plug on the energy bill: “There are significant investments and significant jobs associated with those (gas) plants. People could be out of a job (next Monday) if we passed that [energy] bill today (June 16).”
CPV’s CEO said it could live with IL terminating natural gas production in 2045. But, it couldn’t live with legislation giving state authorities the power to act in an arbitrary and capricious way to raise the requirements for plant de-carbonization over the next two decades. Business just can’t make billion dollar investments with that kind of uncertainty.
In short, Berkowitz and Martin discuss how the Democratic Party run IL legislature needs to mend its ways, especially when it comes to such important matters as the State’s energy and budget policy- and conduct orderly, detailed and thoughtful hearings and distribute and place on the State’s website the relevant analyses and proposed legislation months, not minutes, before the legislative vote.
Also discussed was the passage of legislation creating an unmanageable, bizarre twenty-one member, elected CPS school board that would take power in 2027.
Further, Martin and Berkowitz discuss the passage of legislation commerorating the public notification in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865 of the end of U. S. slavery. The legislation will make Juneteenth a state public holiday, starting with June 19, 2023.
Berkowitz and Martin argue what would be much more important and helpful to low income minorities would be the IL legislature and cities across the state, (especially the inner cities) instituting strong school voucher- school choice programs. These programs should allow blacks and other minorities (only 30 percent of whom read at grade level in 3rd grade at CPS) to escape their failing schools by using the taxpayer money currently going to public schools to attend any school (public or private) of their choice.
Berkowitz also argues that the IL legislature and the cities and counties across the state (but especially in the inner cities of IL) need to do much more to protect black and other minorities from homicides, shootings and other violence in their communities.
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This Tuesday’s Chicago Metro suburban episode of Public Affairs (featuring discussion by Jeff Berkowitz and Terry Martin of the close of Springfield’s spring legislative session last week) airs at 8:30 pm in 25 North and Northwest suburbs on:
–Comcast Cable Ch. 19 inBuffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette and on
Comcast Cable Ch. 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
Both items appeared to me through the reach of social media.
A female colleague that I adored, so did most men joined by many women left me and many today. Nicky’s body was at war. Her spirit despite the conflagration soared. I had the honor and privilege to talk with her often during the year of the Pandemic. And yes, I was aware of her battle that she had no intent on giving into. Instead of focusing only on health, we talked shop. We discussed at length a revolutionary concept for a video program that might impact the world. I realized that Nicky’s idea could be a game-changer kind of revolution in the world of sharing information with every person on earth – a connection through the power of video and world interconnectivity via broadband that would truly be historic. Nicky wanted me to meet potential investors as well as offer my insight regarding the media-arts-production she envisioned. For me, that was a wonderful compliment from a professional in my field who is revered by many. And today I read the news – oh boy – that Nicky had transitioned to another astral plane that is not available to earthlings until they ascend to what many of us pray is a much higher power.
That news that I read – oh boy – got worse as the day moved on. I found out that my favorite baker from my village had also moved on. The man fought so hard. He loved life. He loved people. That might explain why he got up day-in-and-day-out before the crack of dawn to make those wonderful cookies, sweet rolls, pies, cakes, and other ambrosia that made the mouths of thousands water with delight. You’ve got to hand it to anyone who can make with their hands the wonderful delicacies that brought smiles to the faces of those lucky enough to be one of his customers. God bless that man for the gift of lightening our burden at times…my God, we all know we needed it. The public support for A GO-FUND ME page confirmed that the BAKER was a PRINCE among men.
For the families of both souls, know that your beloved was truly loved by others. At this moment in time, that might be the very best news you could read – oh-boy-triumphantly – because love conquers all – even death.
William Natale is an Emmy-award-winning TV producer/director and author of “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then,” (a tale that takes place in Chicago based in part on a true story). Natale served as the director and associate producer for “Water Pressures,” featuring HBO ENTOURAGE star Adrian Grenier, shot on location in India and various cities in the U.S. “Water Pressures,” was broadcast on over 224 PBS stations. Natale was the Chairman of the Broadcast Promotional Marketing Executives (BPME now known as Promax). Natale served as the Marketing & Promotion Director for NBC5 Chicago and the VP/Director of Corporate Communications for WTTW. He also has experience in the education field as the Executive Director for both the downtown and Lombard campuses of the IL Media Schools (vocational colleges that teach broadcast media arts). He also served as the Executive Producer for the Internet Streaming Corporation and WATCH312.com – working with talented individuals such as Candace Jordan (aka Candid Candace). Natale is a native Chicagoan and proud father of three adult children, two daughters and a son.
LOS ANGELES — Right fielder Jason Heyward hasn’t had the season he or the Cubs had hoped for to this point at the plate. After being one of the Cubs’ best offensive players in 2020, he has been unable to duplicate that performance.
Heyward’s left-hamstring strain that put him on the injured list for a month didn’t help his attempts to find a consistent rhythm at the plate. But in the midst of his best series of the season, his red-hot play continued on Saturday night as he put together some of the Cubs’ best at-bats in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers.
“I’m just trying to relax,” Heyward said after the walk-off loss. “Keep it as simple as possible. “Just give 100% of what I have on every single pitch and just let that just gradually allow me to see the ball in the zone and be aggressive there, no matter what happens.”
Ross has had to adjust his lineups as he’s tried to find spots to not only try to get his struggling outfielder going offensively by finding good strong matchups, but also sitting him at times.
“Everybody wants to play every day, I’ll tell you that,” Ross said. “It’s just part of this job, right? You have conversations. Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to be the guy every single day. There’s a balance there and that’s my job. Not everybody wants to hear when they’re not playing.”
Heyward hasn’t faced tough left-handers often and despite coming into the game with a .490 OPS against left-handers, but Ross gave him the nod against Dodgers starter Julio Urias.
“It’s always kind of fluctuating who is going to give us the best at-bats,” Ross said before the game. “Heyward was able to work some walks.
“I feel like he’s gotten some hits lately, some hustle hits and a nice hit last night. He’s had some good nights and he gets back in there today. I think this is a good matchup for him.”
It wasn’t a home run or loud contact that got Heyward off to his fast start in the series. But after a walk in his first at-bat Thursday, things started to fall his way with a few broken bat singles to get himself going.
The right fielder had his strongest game of the series Saturday with a single and double in his first two at-bats against Urias. Heyward was tasked with facing tough southpaw Garrett Cleavinger in the seventh inning and came within feet of hitting a go-ahead home run before being overturned on a controversial call.
But Heyward followed his would-be homer with a solid single up the middle, giving him a three-hit day with all three coming off of lefties.
“That’s one of the more difficult things that you have to do in baseball,” Ross said. “Foul borderline home run, to stay in there left on left and then smoked that ball up the middle, really nice job, really nice game from Jason
“He seems to be in a good place and getting back to the version of him that we have a lot of confidence in.”
Saturday was Heyward’s first three-hit game of the season and he’s now 7-for-10 in the series with a double and three walks. It’s a trend he and the Cubs hopes continues well past the series in LA.
“Obviously, it’s nice to get some results, broken bat or not, to get some hits,” Heyward said. “But just to be looking for pitches to hit and feel like I got time to react. Just want to keep building. Keep pushing. Obviously, today was a good day. Faced some good pitching and faced some good pitching in this series as a group, so it’s nice to help out.”
Chicagofire officials have warned drivers citywide to avoid flooded viaducts as storm systems continue to pass through the area Saturday evening.
Crews have already made several rescues from cars stalled in the water, according to fire officials.
If the water level touches the wheel rim of the vehicle, officials have advised drivers not to enter. Even if the vehicle is able to pass through the flooded area, the brakes may be compromised by the water, fire officials said.
Fire officials also warned drivers that vehicles abandoned in the water could suffer even more damage.
Flooding shut down a portion of the Eisenhower Expressway Saturday evening with eastbound traffic was being diverted off at Des Plaines and westbound traffic diverted off at First Avenue.
A late-morning torrential downpour and a tornado warning couldn’t rain on the parade of thousands of festival goers who flooded Grant Park Saturday for Pride in the Park.
The storm delayed the kickoff to the two-day music festival by two hours. Still, throngs of people decked out in rainbow attire and ponchos, poured into the downtown park to celebrate as Pride month nears its end.
“Rain was not going to keep me away,” said Mark King, 42, who wore a multi-colored speedo and sequined jacket. “I thought there was a very good chance it was going to get canceled, but the shows gotta go on, we’ve got to celebrate as a city.”
With rain continuing steadily into the evening, some huddled together under umbrellas in an attempt to stay dry, while others embraced the weather and danced on the muddy swamp-like grounds. Most were mask-less, bringing flashbacks of pre-pandemic times.
“It’s just exciting,” Kim Belizaire said. “It’s good to see people getting out and trying to live life again. It is a sense of normalcy again, I haven’t done something like this in so long.”
Belizaire, 20, said she took a train from Skokie with friends and was drawn to the celebration for its “good vibes.”
Belizaire’s friend, 19-year-old Evan Numan, who recently came out as gay, emphasized the importance of embracing inclusivity and diversity at the event.
“All these people are coming to celebrate the same thing, so it’s really just meaningful and honestly [an] overwhelmingly good experience to see all these people that are either part of my community or support me,” Numan said. “It’s just a beautiful feeling knowing that you’re accepted, you’re loved by [others] and you mean something.”
A baseball season can be divided many ways, but White Sox manager Tony La Russa prefers to do it in three two-month chunks: April-May, June-July, and August-September.
The last part usually is considered the most challenging, but La Russa said the middle chunk is actually the hardest.
”Part of what makes it tough is you’re going through April and May, and you’ve got sore spots,” La Russa said.
As players get banged up, those ”sore spots” don’t always lead to trips to the injured list, but they can lead to midseason slumps and team struggles. The Sox still lead the American League Central by two games over the Indians despite a 1-6 stretch in the last week, but continued poor play might put that in jeopardy.
The Sox’ offense has been held to three runs or fewer in each of the last seven games. La Russa has seen some of his players starting to press at the plate, but that isn’t concerning him at this point.
”These are men, not machines,” La Russa said. ”And when you struggle, there’s two ways you can go . . . right? You can not care and just walk around and whatever happens, happens. Or you can try too hard. You’d rather take the trying too hard because it’s easier to back off. You walk around having to kick guys in the butt to play, then you’ve got the wrong team.”
The Sox were 33-21 in April and May but have slowed to 11-10 so far in June.
Rain, rain go away
Rain and a tornado warning delayed the start of the game Saturday by 68 minutes, and it was suspended after a nearly two-hour delay in the middle of the third inning.
The Sox and Mariners will make up the game as a part of a doubleheader Sunday. The first game will pick up where it left off at 1:10 p.m. and go for nine innings. After a 45-minute break between games, the teams will play a seven-inning series finale.
Rosters will be frozen for the first game, but the teams can make roster moves for the second. The Sox’ Dallas Keuchel and the Mariners’ Marco Gonzales were the originally scheduled starters for the game Sunday. Starters for the resumption of the makeup game are to be determined.
Also, there is rain in the forecast for the rest of this homestand.
”It’s just part of it, and you just deal with it,” La Russa said. ”The biggest thing is don’t get distracted. You don’t come to the park thinking you’re going to get rained out. You don’t start the game thinking it’s not going to get finished. You just stay in the now and play the inning you’re playing. That’s all cliches, but sometimes that’s the only thing you’ve got to fall back on.”
Roster shuffle
The Sox made a 40-man roster move, outrighting reliever Alex McRae to Triple-A Charlotte and reinstating reliever Jace Fry from the 60-day injured list (back) and optioning him to Charlotte. Fry had a 3.66 ERA in 18 appearances last season but hasn’t pitched in 2021.
LOS ANGELES – The Cubs have missed Nico Hoerner’s energy in their lineup since he suffered a left hamstring strain, but they are close to getting their spark plug back after his month-long absence.
Hoerner will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa starting on Sunday, putting him on a pace to return to the team soon. He joins starter right-handers Trevor Williams, Dillon Maples and left-hander Justin Steele, who all left to begin their rehab assignments on Friday.
Hoerner is slashing .338/.405/.432 in 21 games this season.
“It’s been moving along nicely for him the last couple of days,” manager David Ross said before the game. “I think all these guys, Trevor, Steele, [David] Bote’s not far behind. I think he’ll be any day now. Guys are starting to kind of turn that corner right here before the All-Star break.
“So it’d be nice to see these guys get some games under their belt, get them healthy, get them back in the lineup and then still have some days off to recover with the All-Star break coming up. So yeah, it’s kind of a kind of good timing. We’ve definitely missed a lot of those guys.”
Duffy (back) hopeful setback is in the past
Infielder Matt Duffy was a big part of the Cubs’ early-season success on offense, but a balky back has kept him out for longer than the team expected. Duffy seemed to be ready to make a return several weeks ago, but after pushing himself, a setback during his rehab has kept him sidelined.
“I think I was just trying to rush,” Duffy said on Saturday. “Probably not being honest with myself about how I was feeling.”
Duffy says he’s officially been diagnosed with a bulging disc in his lower back and while the team is happy with the progress he’s made, the next step is ensuring that he can recover after going through baseball activities.
The Cubs’ infielder is hopeful that by the All-Star break he has a more definitive timeline on a rehab assignment and possible return. How his back responds to swinging a bat will be another important step as he tries to return from injury.
“I think this next week is going to be big, because we’re starting to add in baseball activity now after throwing yesterday for the first time [since the setback],” Duffy said. “I’ve been swinging inside dry swings, after doing medicine ball tosses and stuff, and that’s all gone really well. So it just depends on really this initial [addition] of activities.”
Higgins elects Tommy John surgery
The Cubs have struggled with their catching depth due to injury all season and it has taken another big blow as catcher PJ Higgins will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Higgins went on the injured list June 11 with a right forearm strain.
After further testing, it was discovered that the Cubs catcher had a right flexor strain and partially torn UCL. He received a second opinion and elected to get surgery, which will be done in the coming weeks.
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