Two days after returning to the Cubs, Todd Hundley’s role has been limited to catching warm-up tosses between innings.
Hundley’s role will grow, of course. But Cubs manager Don Baylor won’t say when.
And he was reluctant to elaborate before Friday’s game.
After saying he would not communicate with Hundley “through the press,” Baylor was asked how he planned to allow his veteran catcher to gain confidence in himself.
“I told you I’m not talking about it,” Baylor replied. “There’s nothing else I can say about it. I have to find a chance to get him in there, let him relax and find some success.
“I just don’t want to compound the situation. I want him to succeed. That’s why he’s here.”
Hundley, who was sidelined from June 19-July 26 with a strained muscle in his lower back, was batting .179 with four homers when he was placed on the disabled list.
Hundley made strides during a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa. He hit .350 (7-for-20) over his final five games.
“He’s a veteran and he knows this league,” Baylor said. “We need his bat and we need his presence as a veteran guy. I have to be careful, but I have to get him in there. I’ll get him in there. It’s just when I do it.”
Baylor, who started Robert Machado behind the plate Friday, might give Hundley a chance Saturday.
Hundley has six career homers in 48 at-bats off St. Louis starter Andy Benes.
