Notes: Duffy steps up; Hoerner's versatility

Early injuries have tested the Cubs’ bench depth, and Matt Duffy has risen to the occasion.

Duffy has been a revelation for the Cubs in the wake of Joc Pederson’s injury, posting a .432 on-base percentage in his first 20 games. Since his spot start against the Mets on April 21, Duffy has gone 9-for-24 with six walks. Duffy even batted third in the final two games of the Cubs’ recent series against the Braves, recording three hits and four walks in 10 plate appearances.

That’s not bad for someone who wasn’t sure he was going to end up on the Opening Day roster.

With Duffy occupying the hot corner, Kris Bryant -- who beat out Duffy, then a member of the Giants, for the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2015-- has slid to the outfield, allowing the Cubs to squeeze every ounce of offense out of their current personnel.

As Chicago’s starting third baseman for the time being, Duffy has modified his pregame preparation.

“I’ll get a little hotter right before the game for hitting, from that perspective, when I know I’m going to hit in the first inning,” Duffy said. “From a preparation standpoint, I probably spend more time on a starter as well, versus looking to the bullpen guys."

Much of Duffy’s early success at the plate can be attributed to his plate discipline. Per FanGraphs, Duffy has a career O-Swing% (the percentage of pitches that a batter swings at outside the strike zone) of 29.0 percent, but this season, that's down to 19.1 percent. As evidenced by his early production, that pickiness is paying off.

Then there’s the matter of what happens when Duffy decides to swing. Thus far, Duffy has made contact with 93.3 percent of all pitches at which he’s swung. Even more mind-bending is that Duffy has not swung and missed at a single ball that’s inside the strike zone. Duffy has always had great bat-to-ball skills, and that’s been on full display with Chicago.

“I honestly just feel like I got to find a way to get on base,” Duffy said. “If I can do that often with those guys hitting around me, I feel like good things are going to happen. There’s just so much pop in their bats and they’re professional hitters.”

Another day, another position
Nico Hoerner continues to evolve into Chicago’s next Swiss army knife, making his first career start in left field on Friday.

Since being recalled on April 22, Hoerner has seen time all across the diamond, playing second base, shortstop, left field and center field. Hoerner discussed his brief opportunity in 2019 to serve as an understudy to Ben Zobrist, arguably the most productive utility man of his generation.

“He’s an incredible resource and someone who was very open to talking to me when I was around him in 2019,” Hoerner said.

The budding super-utility man has gotten off to a hot start since joining the club, recording nine hits and six walks in 31 plate appearances.

“I'm really impressed with the way he got called up and the way he's been playing lately,” said catcher Willson Contreras. “And that's something that we should keep in mind before we make another move. I think this guy needs to be in the lineup on a daily basis.”

Megill heads to IL
Rookie right-hander Trevor Megill has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and Kyle Ryan has been recalled from the alternate site, the Cubs announced Friday.

Megill was called up to the Major League roster on Monday and made his debut that night, pitching a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Braves.

The right-hander's only other appearance -- also a scoreless inning -- came in the final game of Chicago’s four-game series against Atlanta.

Ryan’s only appearance this season came on April 23 against the Brewers, pitching two scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout and one walk.