CHICAGO -- Trent Thornton hunched over in pain by the first-base line and then made his way back to the mound for the Cubs Monday night at Wrigley Field. As the reliever moved awkwardly up the hill, it quickly became clear that he was very much feeling the effects of the sharp comebacker that caromed off his foot.
In the 10th inning of Monday’s 8-6 loss to the Tigers, Thornton took a ball from the bat of Riley Greene off his left heel as the reliever finished his delivery. The low liner had an exit velocity of 108.9 mph, but Thornton still did what he could to hustle after the ball as it bounced into the infield grass.
“That was loud -- even in left field,” Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. “That ball was hit really hard.”
Thornton walked off the field with some assistance from Cubs manager Craig Counsell and a member of the team’s training staff, and the reliever went for X-rays after the game. Counsell said the images came back negative for any structural damage and that Thornton was dealing with a left heel contusion.
On Tuesday, Thornton was feeling improved enough to play catch, and both he and Counsell noted that a CT scan of his foot also came back negative. The plan is to give the reliever a day off, as he said he will test things off a mound on Wednesday. The Cubs also have an off-day Thursday, helping offer time for Thornton to avoid a trip to the 15-day injured list.
“I’m optimistic not to go on the IL,” Thornton said. “I’m willing that it’s going to feel fine and should be good to go by later this week.”
The good news for now is that Counsell said there is “no concern” over the left Achilles tendon that Thornton tore last season.
With the score caught in a 5-5 deadlock, Thornton took over in the 10th inning sporting a 2.40 ERA in 26 appearances for the Cubs this year. The right-hander missed the final two months of last season due to the Achilles injury, but joined Chicago over the offseason and returned to the Majors on May 6.
“My goal the whole offseason,” Thornton said, “was just to try to get back to the big leagues as quickly as possible and be myself. Luckily, the Cubs took a shot on me, gave me an opportunity. I’m just trying to make the most of the opportunity.
“Something silly like this happens, but the roller coaster doesn’t just keep going [straight up]. It goes up and down a little bit. I’m feeling good [mentally], most importantly.”
As injuries have riddled the Cubs’ pitching staff this season, Thornton has been one of the unexpected pitchers to step up and earn trust in key moments.
“He’s been really good for us,” Cubs starter Jameson Taillon said. “Extra innings, late in game, leverage -- he’s been really good at that role. I know everyone was really excited to add him to the org in Spring Training and everyone knew he’d play a big role for us.
“It’s been a weird year. We’ve done a really good job, especially in the bullpen, just trying to do the next-man-up mentality.”
Prior to Monday’s game, the Cubs placed veteran righty Phil Maton on the 15-day IL for the third time this season due to right knee tendinitis. Closer Daniel Palencia (right flexor strain), lefty Hoby Milner (appendicitis) and righty Ethan Roberts (right forearm inflammation) are all on the IL and working their way back. Porter Hodge (right flexor strain) is out for the season, while Hunter Harvey (stress reaction near right triceps/shoulder) and Riley Martin (left flexor strain) remain out with unclear timelines.
There has been a relentless wave of injury setbacks for the Cubs all season long both in the rotation and bullpen -- Monday night’s scene with Thornton serving as the latest hit.
The result of the play was an infield single for Greene and Counsell was forced to call righty Javier Assad in from the bullpen. The inning then spiraled against Chicago, as Detroit pieced together a three-run showing that sent the Cubs to the loss column.
“That was a tough one. It seems like [Thornton] is doing all right,” Happ said. “He’s a competitor -- we saw it when he was here last year pitching against us. He wants to be out there, wants to pitch. He’ll be back soon.”