CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- As the Cubs continue their playoff push, injured closer Craig Kimbrel is nearing his return from right elbow inflammation.
Kimbrel threw a 16-pitch simulated game session at Wrigley Field on Tuesday afternoon before throwing another 15 or so pitches in the bullpen. If Kimbrel reports no pain in his forearm and elbow come Wednesday, the Cubs could move forward with their plan for him to return against the Cardinals this weekend.
"He is looking better every day he throws," pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. "His bullpen in San Diego and the work he has been putting in has been really good. For the first time throwing a modified sim game and watching him, I thought the ball was coming out good."
Kimbrel was on the injured list for about two weeks in August with knee soreness. The Cubs are still waiting to see him at his best, and they hope it comes soon as they enter action Tuesday trailing the NL Central-leading Cardinals by two games and residing in the second wild-card spot.
"He looked normal," manager Joe Maddon said. "He looked really good. I thought there was no hesitation with his arm. He wasn't guarding anything whatsoever. The fastball was alive. Maybe the command of the curveball off a bit, but the break was there. We will wait until tomorrow to go to the next level, but it looked really, really good."
After signing with the Cubs in early June and debuting later that month, Kimbrel has posted a 5.68 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 21 appearances. He has converted 13 of 15 save chances.
"We have not seen that yet," Hottovy said when asked if the Cubs have seen Kimbrel at his best yet. "It is unprecedented for a guy to come in midseason and no spring training. He dealt with all this stuff -- the knee issue and a lot of little things have popped up. I still think the best version of him is still in there. Still, an 85 to 90 percent version of him is as good as anybody."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
