Anonymous sources: Little-known cast boosting Cubs’ surge originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
As they open a critical stretch of games this month, the Cubs are leaning awfully hard on players fans haven’t heard much.
The Cubs entered the season banking on contributions from their stars in walk years. But as injuries have piled up, they’ve been surviving — and thriving — on their depth, most recently Sergio Alcántara.
“They've been extremely valuable,” manager David Ross said Thursday.
The Cubs called up Alcántara, 24, from Triple-A last weekend in wake of David Bote’s shoulder injury. He played shortstop in his last minor-league game but has played two games (one start) at second base and started at third on Thursday.
"It's a great opportunity to be here with this team," Alcantara said. "It’s something that I'm really grateful and happy for, getting the call to be here."
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The switch-hitter also entered Thursday 4-for-6 with two doubles and a triple. The three-base hit came as a lefty, and Alcántara has been better hitting right-handed in his young big-league career.
“He’s swung the bat really well from both sides.” Ross said. “[Triple-A Iowa manager] Marty Pevey told me he was having some of their best at-bats, especially from the left side.
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“I feel really comfortable putting him in there.”
After Trevor Williams joined 11 other Cubs on the injured list Monday, Ross described the helpless feeling watching player after player go down as wanting “to cry uncle sometimes.” But he also highlighted the organization’s depth contributions being key as the Cubs have piled up wins.
Patrick Wisdom (four home runs), Rafael Ortega and Nick Martini have had their share of big moments over the last month. The Cubs along the way went 19-8 in May and just wrapped up a sweep of the NL-leading Padres.
Who knows how long it’s going to last — Jason Heyward and Jake Marisnick are currently on rehab assignments and could return soon. Heyward hit a home run in Thursday's game with Iowa.
But so far, so good.
“All these guys have done a nice job coming in and filling in where we've needed them,” Ross said.
