Manager Craig Counsell had mixed news about the Cubs’ beleaguered bullpen Sunday.
Phil Maton (tendinitis in right knee) threw a bullpen session Saturday that Counsell said went well. The next step for Maton, who has been on the injured list since April 10, will be a live session Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
The update on Hunter Harvey (inflammation in right triceps) wasn’t as positive. Counsell said Harvey, who was put on the IL on April 12, is still in the training room and not throwing. There are still no plans for him to have tests.
Those issues, combined with the recent absence of closer Daniel Palencia (strained left oblique), have forced Counsell to mix and match relievers.
‘‘When the names are changing quickly, then your plans are a little more flexible and they’re going to change a little quicker,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘We’ve got enough new bodies down there that, day-to-day, roles can change a little bit.’’
Counsell still has tried to map out a plan for his bullpen before each game. Sometimes he can go with it, but other times he’s forced to change course.
‘‘Ultimately, you’ve got to go into a game with some structure in your head of how you think the game is going to go and who’s going to be utilized, and you’ve got to stick with that,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘It’s not going to work every day with a healthy bullpen, but you have some structure every day going into the game.’’
In a pinch
Michael Conforto has two big hits as a pinch hitter for the Cubs. There was the tying double in the ninth inning Sunday and his double April 12 against the Pirates that began their winning rally.
Conforto said he has built a routine and stays loose during the game, making him ready for a potentially big at-bat.
‘‘I’ve had enough practice pinch-hitting over the past year or so to just hone in,’’ said Conforto, who went 1-for-13 as a pinch hitter last season with the Dodgers. ‘‘You don’t want to do too much; you don’t want to overthink it. You want to make sure that you’re prepared, you know what you could see and then take a deep breath and be ready to go for pitch No. 1.’’
Conforto’s double Sunday followed the three-run homer pinch hitter Carson Kelly hit in the sixth inning of the Cubs’ 4-2 victory Saturday.
Wrigley business
The ivy is starting to bloom, but a portion of the right-field wall around the 368-foot sign has noticeably less growth. That isn’t likely to last.
During the offseason, maintenance work on the wall in right-center field was completed and a portion of the ivy was removed. After the work was completed, the grounds crew restored the ivy. The wall is expected to return to its usual look during the season.
• Monday is the 110th anniversary of the Cubs’ first game at Wrigley Field. On April 20, 1916, playing at what was then known as Weeghman Park, the Cubs beat the Reds 7-6 in 11 innings on a walk-off single by Vic Saier.