Dave Smith could return to the Cubs as early as next week. Smith, who underwent arthroscopic surgery July 25, will throw on the sidelines Tuesday and will face live hitting Friday.
”We`ll see how he feels then,” said manager Jim Essian. ”We want to make certain we don`t bring him back too soon, have him favor that thing and somehow reinjure the knee or favor the shoulder and do something unnatural with his delivery.”
Smith, for the record, wants to return as soon as possible.
Essian reiterated he had not named Chuck McElroy to Smith`s job, contrary to press reports. But he also gave a vote of confidence to his rookie lefty, who put the tying runs on Sunday in the ninth inning of a game the Cubs eventually won in 10.
More relief: The Cubs greeted Scott May, who returned to the majors after a three-year absence. May last pitched in the majors for the Texas Rangers in 1988, appearing in three games and allowing seven earned runs in 7 1/3 innings.
May, a right-hander, will be used in long relief. He was the closer at Triple-A Iowa at the time of his promotion, but he also started and was used in long relief.
”Great stuff,” said Rick Wilkins, who caught him in the minors this spring. ”Great offspeed pitches. When he`s on, he`s tough to hit.”
May`s best stat: He fanned 90 in 90 1/3 innings at Iowa. His worst stat:
He`s walked 50 in that span.
Injury update: George Bell was a bit sore but back in the lineup one day after being plunked on the left forearm by the Phillies` Mike Hartley. And Rick Sutcliffe reported improvement in his shoulder, which turned up slightly tight after his last start.
Believe it, bay-bee: College hoops announcer Dick Vitale said hello to Essian during batting practice. It was a bold move considering Vitale, who lives in Bradenton, Fla., has long been a season ticket-holder for White Sox spring training games.
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