Chicago Cubs' Jeff Samardzija looking forward to the next season – MLB News
Chicago Cubs' starter Jeff Samardzija on Sunday, September 16, admitted to having a tough time after being shut-out for rest of the games. Samardzija, whom the Cubs shut-down on September 8, had reached his innings limit for the season.
This was the season for Samardzija to pitch as a starter. It undeniably was relatively successful for him considering the numerous other arduous challenges that the club was grappling with. Now that he can no longer participate in the games, there is an overwhelming feeling that he describes.
"It's tough, it's really tough," Samardzija said. "You get into a routine and your body knows when it's ready to go. I'm not too used to sitting and watching. It's kind of hard to watch for real competing going on and not just a pickup game and not be participating."
Having a total of 28 starts this season, Samardzija maintained a 3.81 ERA with 9-13 record in 174.2 innings having 180 strike-outs and a 1.22 WHIP. In his last game, he brought in 4-3 win for the Cubs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Now that Samardzija is not there for the rest of the games, the club is relying on Chris Rookie and the veteran Travis Wood. The Cubs' manager Dale Sveum has full confidence in them.
He was used on Saturday as pinch runner. Sveum had a humours allusion to it while commenting on the subject.
"Let him know it'll be Travis Wood before him," Sveum said. "Or [Chris] Rusin if he's not pitching. [Samardzija] has moved down on the totem pole. No extra-base hits. He's got the starting pitcher stuff figured out, now he's got to spend the winter hitting."
Samardzija will, nonetheless, be present there for advising the young pitchers. Lying ahead are more challenges for which Samardzija is bracing himself from now on.
Cubs are in a building phase with a combination of young and experienced players. The senior lot will be a source of inspiration for the younger players. Samardzija, therefore, will play a vital role in the rotation in the coming season as he did this year.
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