Bill Mueller feels good, even if his batting average doesn’t show it. His struggles have fit a season-long trend for the Cubs, but he’s convinced he’ll soon be his old self.
“I feel I’m getting better,” Mueller said Tuesday. “If I came out of the gate and would be hitting about .450 right now I don’t think I’d ever go to spring training again.”
Mueller missed much of spring training after having a second surgery on his left knee, which he shattered against an advertising sign board at Busch Stadium last May.
He was 3-for-5 Tuesday, raising his average to .203. From the outside, it seems reasonable to wonder if the 31-year-old Mueller is still the same player he was before the injury. His career average of .291 was on the rise before the injury. But since rushing back last August, he is hitting only .236 with three homers and 14 RBIs in 148 at-bats.
Mueller played in pain after his first surgery. He hoped he would regain full strength over the winter but experienced swelling in spring training, which led to a second surgery. He still ices the knee after games but says he feels fine. He’s not surprised he has started slowly.
“Most of the time, you take six or seven weeks [in spring training] to prepare, and you need it,” he said. “Getting your mechanics right is important. When you miss time, it just takes time to get yourself to the point where you’re positive.”
This is an important season for Mueller, who will be arbitration-eligible if he doesn’t sign a contract extension. With David Kelton playing mostly first base at Double-A West Tenn, there’s no heir apparent in the Cubs’ system. The primary third baseman at Triple-A Iowa is Ivanon Coffie, who entered play Tuesday in an 0-for-31 slump that had dropped his average to .264.
Hundley returns: Todd Hundley joined the Cubs on Tuesday and should be activated for Wednesday night’s game. Manager Don Baylor calls the three-catcher rotation “a luxury,” making it appear a move with Robert Machado is imminent.
Cubs Vice President Jim Hendry was in contact with other clubs Tuesday. “Jim’s working,” Baylor said. “We’ve talked about the roster the last couple of days. Nothing’s definite yet.”
One possibility is a trade with Texas involving left-hander Chris Michalak, a Notre Dame product from Joliet. He is 0-2 with a 4.40 earned-run average and was designated for assignment Monday.
Hundley, who is hitting .128 in 17 games, was 2-for-9 with a home run in three games on a rehabilitation assignment with Iowa. He’ll share catching duties with Joe Girardi when he returns.
Baylor isn’t promising Hundley the consistent playing time Hundley previously had said would help him regain his stroke from 2000, when he hit .284 with 24 homers. “It’s going to be about winning, to get back in this thing, getting above .500,” Baylor said. “We’re just going to have to do that the best way we can.”
Alou benched: Roosevelt Brown got a start in left field Tuesday and could be there again on Wednesday. Baylor said he wants the slumping Moises Alou “to relax” for a night or two on the bench. Alou didn’t get the ball out of the infield in Monday’s 3-2 loss, taking an 0-for-5 that dropped his average to .177.
“I feel like he’s pressing a little,” Baylor said. “I’ve been there. A lot of guys have been there. You don’t know what you’re looking for.”
Cruz missile: Juan Cruz, who worked two innings Monday, gives Baylor the middle relief weapon he’s been missing since Kyle Farnsworth went on the disabled list April 11. He was not available Tuesday but Baylor hopes he can use him Wednesday, if needed.
“I don’t have a feel just yet,” Baylor said. “He is a power guy, plus he’s young. He’s attempting this for the first time. But if he was a starter, [Wednesday] would be his throw day.”
