Danny Jackson said he would start Monday for Triple-A Iowa in a rehabilitation stint.
The Cubs deemed Jackson healthy after he pitched about 15 minutes of batting practice Wednesday morning. He has been out since June 20 with a strained lower abdomen.
”He`s about there now,” head trainer John Fierro said. ”He threw well today.”
Jackson said pitching coach Billy Connors detected a flaw in his delivery, and he said he threw smoothly after making an adjustment. ”I was opening up my hips,” said Jackson, known for his violent throwing motion.
”That might have caused a problem with the stomach and the groin.”
Jackson guesses he`ll need only one outing in Iowa before he`s ready to rejoin the Cubs. He expects to receive clearance for the rehabilitation assignment after pitching batting practice again Saturday.
Smith surgery: Dave Smith will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday morning at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Michael Schafer, the team physician, will perform the operation.
”Dr. Schafer is really optimistic that he`s not going to find a lot of serious stuff in there,” Fierro said. ”We`re hoping it`ll just be a standard `scope` and that he`ll miss maybe three weeks.”
Paul Assenmacher, who has taken over Smith`s bullpen closer job, picked up his 10th save Tuesday night, equaling his career high. Smith has 16 saves. Last year, Mitch Williams led the club with 16 saves and Assenmacher finished second with 10.
Remember him? Joe Girardi played five innings for Triple-A Iowa Tuesday night in his first action since April 16. Girardi went 0 for 3 and was unsuccessful trying to throw out the only man who stole against him. The Cubs said Girardi reported no pain in his back after the outing.
Jam-packed: Wednesday`s paid crowd of 36,215 was the season`s largest in Wrigley Field, topping a May 11 game against Cincinnati that drew 35,998. The Cubs have drawn 1,341,184 in 46 dates, an average of 29,156.
Larkin shelved: Reds shortstop Barry Larkin missed his fifth straight game with a sore back and is considered doubtful for Thursday`s series finale.
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