\n<\/p>\n
It was a beneficial break for Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/b>.<\/p>\n
The Cubs\u2019 center fielder has stumbled offensively since the All-Star break following an MVP-caliber first half, coming into Friday batting .163 with a .448 OPS since the start of August.<\/p>\n
Team brass opted to implement a strategy used earlier in the year on then-slumping outfielders Kyle Tucker<\/b> and Ian Happ<\/b>, leaving Crow-Armstrong out of the starting lineup in two recent games against the Braves.<\/p>\n
Save a late defensive substitution, it was nearly three straight days off for Crow-Armstrong.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll see if his slump is truly busted, but the move paid instant dividends, with Crow-Armstrong picking up two hits, driving in a couple runs, scoring a run and stealing a base as part of the Cubs\u2019 all-around offensive success story in an 11-5 win over the Nationals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe break was good. It was smart and calculated,\u201d Crow-Armstrong said. \u201cI just came in feeling good, ready to do the same grind I\u2019ve been doing. It\u2019s a good chance to slow down a little bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was bigger mentally than anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, that was Craig Counsell<\/b>\u2019s goal in resting Crow-Armstrong, who spent the first half as baseball\u2019s breakout star, flashing elite power, speed and defense.<\/p>\n
But as the calendar has flipped to the back third of baseball\u2019s six-month marathon, the success hasn\u2019t come as easily. A chance to recalibrate might prove the most effective method of reviving Crow-Armstrong as the Cubs eye a deep postseason run.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my experience, it\u2019s been helpful for players,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cIt\u2019s the mental reset and the break [from] being frustrated by the results. That\u2019s a big lift off guys. Being measured by your results every single day, that\u2019s a real grind that players go through.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting a break from the judgment on that performance every day, it\u2019s easier and it\u2019s helpful and it makes you a little sunnier inside. And that\u2019s the goal, for the player to get back to Square 1 and get back to neutral.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tucker\u2019s absence continues<\/b><\/p>\n
Tucker\u2019s absence from the Cubs\u2019 lineup stretched to a second consecutive game Friday.<\/p>\n
The All-Star right fielder wasn\u2019t past the calf tightness that knocked him out of Tuesday\u2019s game against the Braves and sidelined him Wednesday ahead of Thursday\u2019s off day.<\/p>\n
Before the game, Counsell said the Cubs were hopeful Tucker could return to the lineup before the end of this weekend\u2019s series against the Nationals, adding then that there was no reason for Tucker to head to the injured list.<\/p>\n
Counsell\u2019s postgame update on Tucker\u2019s pregame workouts, however, did not paint a cheery picture.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t as positive as we had hoped, frankly,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cHe didn\u2019t really make progress with the day off. He\u2019s kind of in the same spot he was on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrankly, [Saturday is] going to be a big day to see where he\u2019s at. Unfortunate, but it\u2019s where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Time for Taillon?<\/b><\/p>\n
It sounds like righty starter Jameson Taillon<\/b> will make his return to the Cubs\u2019 rotation sometime next week.<\/p>\n
Taillon, working back from a strained groin, allowed three runs on six hits and a walk in 3 2\/3 innings during Thursday\u2019s rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe felt good,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cIt\u2019s likely that [Taillon] rejoins us, but let\u2019s get through this weekend and make sure we\u2019re in good shape, pitching-wise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n