In the eighth inning of the Cubs’ 3-1 victory Friday against the Nationals, first baseman Michael Busch ran to his left and made a diving catch over the tarp, doing his best Anthony Rizzo impersonation.
“The sun didn’t help, but I think it was high enough over there to where I got over there early enough to kind of adjust,” Busch said.
Those diving plays are ones players can’t practice. It takes athleticism and concentration to make that difficult play, but it’s those types of plays that Rizzo — a four-time Gold Glove and one-time Platinum Glove winner — made routine.
Entering the game, Busch had eight defensive runs saved, ranking fifth among first basemen. He has continued to display growth and consistency at the position.
He doesn’t have to look far for inspiration. Second baseman Nico Hoerner and shortstop Dansby Swanson are Gold Glove winners and among the best middle-infield duos in the sport.
“You just keep going, trying to get better each day at defense,” Busch said. “Whatever comes along with that, comes along with it.”
Staying ready
Once right fielder Cody Bellinger felt comfortable fielding after dealing with a fractured finger, the Cubs had five outfielders to accommodate: Bellinger, Mike Tauchman, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Since Aug. 16, Suzuki has been the designated hitter 30 times, with Bellinger playing in right, Crow-Armstrong in center and Happ in left. That left Tauchman as the odd man out.
But on Friday, Tauchman came through in his 25th pinch-hitting appearance with a two-run single in the seventh inning to give the Cubs breathing room.
The veteran has experience pinch-hitting and takes pride in being consistent with his preparation. Tauchman hasn’t had more than one at-bat in a game since Aug. 27.
“It’d be really hard for me to live with getting caught off guard on a consistent basis because that’s in my control,” he said. “Staying ready for whatever situation might be thrown my way. Then, if it does come up, I’m ready for it.”
Injury update
As the Cubs welcomed back one pitcher, they sent another to the injured list.
The Cubs activated Hayden Wesneski from the 15-day IL and designated Shawn Armstrong for assignment in the morning. In the afternoon, they put left-hander Jordan Wicks on the 15-day IL with a right oblique strain and recalled Trey Wingenter from Triple-A Iowa.
It’s the same injury Wicks suffered June 14 against the Cardinals, sidelining him for more than two months. Wicks started just 10 games for the club this season.
Though the Cubs have some promising young arms, it’s a grind to get through a 162-game season.
“You feel like you’re in a solid position because we have a number of young pitchers that have started games and, frankly, have had success in the big leagues starting games,” manager Craig Counsell said. “With all of them, there’s been injuries.”