(670 The Score) Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner learned the hard way that circumstances rather than results can dictate baseball decisions.
After hitting .364 and playing strong defense in spring training, Hoerner was sent to the team’s alternate camp to start the season. He bided his time working there until Thursday, when he was recalled by the Cubs as outfielder Joc Pederson landed on the injured list. On Friday, Hoerner made his first start of the season, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI as the Cubs routed the Brewers, 15-2, at Wrigley Field.
"Even dating back to 2019 and coming off of his couch to help us, he fits right in here,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “Nico works really hard. He has a really good mindset. He asks the right questions and knows when and how to ask them. He is so receptive to things he really wants to learn. It's really, really easy to root for Nico Hoerner.”
Hoerner’s demotion to start the season came as a surprise, as he appeared to have the inside track to being the primary second baseman. But the Cubs had other infielders playing well in the Cactus League and wanted to give David Bote the opportunity to be the everyday second baseman.
To Hoerner’s credit, he didn’t gripe when he received the news. He was disappointed, but he also told manager David Ross he would work harder to earn a promotion. On Friday, he showed he deserves to get an opportunity, though Ross hasn’t committed to exactly what Hoerner’s role will be moving forward.
“He is a good player that can help us,” Ross said. “The concept early in the season is you must get guys regular at-bats. When you have someone go down with an injury, you call up your next-best player. I think Nico gives us a lot of versatility for starts coming off the bench. Calling him up gives us a lot of flexibility to use Kris (Bryant) in the outfield. We can use Nico all around the infield and potentially in the outfield.”
Hoerner was a Gold Glove finalist in 2020, and his teammates were happy to see him back in the lineup.
“It was awesome seeing Nico back with us,” said Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who earned the win Friday. “He is ready for this level. To see him come back and have success right away, he deserves it all.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.