Reporting Connor McKnight
By Connor McKnight
MESA, Ariz. (CBS) – Cubs closer Carlos Marmol left Tuesday’s game in the seventh inning with a cramp in his pitching hand. He’ll undergo a precautionary MRI on the hand to make sure there’s no damage.
Manager Dale Sveum spotted Marmol wincing after the pitch in question and called for the trainer to take a look at his closer. Marmol then told Sveum he was fine and wanted to continue pitching. Sveum opted for the more cautious route, however, and replaced him with Lendy Castillo.
After exiting the game, Marmol immediately went through his usual post-appearance work outs then headed for the MRI exam. While Marmol said it was something that popped up after what proved to be his final pitch, he also claimed it’s not something he experienced before.
Sveum told reporters that Marmol mentioned the cramp has, in fact, happened in Spring Trainings past.
Marmol has thrown 5 innings, including today’s appearance against the Rangers, and has a 12.60 ERA. He’d slowly been showing signs of regaining control after two rough outings on the 8th and 12th of March in which he surrendered four and three runs, respectively, in 1.2 innings.
Marmol had credited manager Dale Sveum with restoring his confidence after a meeting between the two in which Sveum reassured Marmol of both his role and importance to the team.
For more Cubs spring training coverage from Mesa, Ariz, click here. Find all of Connor McKnights’s spring training blogs here and follow him on Twitter (@McKnight670).
