DENVER — Jason Hammel is used to the routine of pitching every five days, but recent developments will put his comfort to the test Saturday night when the Chicago Cubs play Colorado.
Hammel, who will make his 2015 debut, hasn’t pitched since April 1 in an exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. Hammel was scheduled to make his first start Wednesday against the Cardinals, but the Cubs’ rainout on Tuesday caused the Cubs to adjust their rotation.
Jake Arrieta’s start was moved from Tuesday to Wednesday, with Hammel moved back to Saturday night.
“We’re such habitual creatures that it depends on your routine,” Hammel said. “So when your routine is messed up, what I try to do is not do too much. If you get a day (off) sometimes, take a day. And then I’ve thrown an extra time in the bullpen and off flat ground just to stay sharp with pitches. Other than that, I just make sure my body feels great or as close to normal as possible.”
Hammel threw in the bullpen on Sunday and again on Wednesday, in which he tried to simulate a start by throwing close to 100 pitches.
“Other than that, I don’t try to do too much. You make sure you don’t get too rusty or dusty. I’m chomping. I want to get going.”
