Pete Crow-Armstrong Overcomes Hamstring Tightness, Set to Return to Cubs Lineup

The Chicago Cubs had a brief scare during spring training when rising star Pete Crow-Armstrong was scratched from Monday’s lineup due to hamstring tightness. Fortunately, after further clarification, it was confirmed that the injury was minor, and Crow-Armstrong will return to the Cubs’ lineup on Tuesday. This positive news comes after concerns that the 22-year-old center fielder might be sidelined for a longer period.

Crow-Armstrong’s absence from Monday’s game was primarily precautionary. Manager Craig Counsell provided context, explaining that the young outfielder had felt “a little something” during one of his drills the previous day. However, Counsell emphasized that the injury was not serious. “I just wanted him to run around this morning, kind of in a controlled way, before getting into a game. During the season, he would’ve played yesterday. But again, just give him a chance to run around this morning before he goes in the game,” Counsell explained.

Despite missing Monday’s matchup, Crow-Armstrong’s performance during spring training has been impressive. The 2020 first-round pick has been a standout with a scorching .500/.467/.929 slash line, accumulating four runs, four RBIs, one home run, and four strikeouts. His base-running ability has also been a highlight, which is something the Cubs will likely look to maximize in the 2025 season. Ensuring Crow-Armstrong is fully healthy to utilize his elite speed and baserunning skills will be crucial moving forward.

The Cubs are cautiously managing his recovery, making sure not to push him too hard during spring training. After all, Crow-Armstrong’s long-term health and readiness for the season are the priority. It seems the team is taking all the right precautions to ensure he is at full strength when the regular season begins.

Entering his second full season with the Cubs, Crow-Armstrong is expected to continue his development as a cornerstone of the team’s future. After debuting in 2023, the young phenom is looking to refine his contact hitting and add more power to his already impressive skill set. Defensively, he’s already shown a remarkable ability in center field, registering 306 putouts and eight assists with just three errors in 2024.

With his minor injury now behind him, Pete Crow-Armstrong will look to finish spring training on a high note and carry that momentum into the upcoming season. The Cubs are eager for him to continue growing as a key contributor to the team’s success.