Why Jon Lester hasn't yet thrown live batting practice in Cubs Summer Camp

Four of the five pitchers in the Cubs' presumed starting rotation were scheduled to throw in controlled intrasquad games over the weekend.

Yu Darvish (two innings) and Kyle Hendricks (three) faced off on Saturday. Tyler Chatwood and Alec Mills -- who is expected to fill the last spot in the rotation while Jose Quintana (thumb) is out  -- were penciled in for Sunday evening.  Jon Lester was othe odd man out.

"The one thing about Jon," Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Sunday, "and he's talked about it a lot through this down period, was he was a guy who really wanted to manage his throws. He wanted to, as he put it, save as many bullets as he possibly could. That doesn't mean by any means he wasn't throwing a baseball. He was staying active. He's in a really good spot."

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Lester, 36, has thrown two bullpens in the past few days, according to Hottovy. On Sunday, Lester simulated at-bats during his bullpen session. Lester is scheduled to throw live batting practice in two to three days.

Each of the starting pitchers' throwing programs during the shutdown was tailored to his location, resources and needs.  Both then and now in Summer Camp, Hottovy said he wants to keep his pitchers "on a good schedule but listen to what their bodies are telling them."

The season is set to open in less than three weeks.

 

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Why Jon Lester hasn't yet thrown live batting practice in Cubs Summer Camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

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