Chicago Cubs - PlayerWatch

[October 04, 2016]    C/LF Willson Contreras' development this season has caught the attention of manager Joe Maddon, who said he liked how Contreras improved in framing pitches and with his overall defense behind the plate. Contreras' power hasn't hurt either. On Sunday, he belted his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning.

LF Jorge Soler returned to the lineup on Sunday and went 1-for-2 with a walk. He has been dealing with right side discomfort, and he hadn't played since Sept. 24. "The trainers feel good about him," manager Joe Maddon said. "We want to see how he moves around."

RHP Kyle Hendricks finished the season with a major-league-leading 2.13 ERA after allowing four earned runs on six hits over five innings and 88 pitches Sunday in the regular season finale at Cincinnati. He walked one and struck out four. It was predetermined that Hendricks would pitch only five innings.

C Miguel Montero clubbed his first pinch-hit home run since 2007 during a four-run ninth inning Sunday in the regular-season finale at Cincinnati. It was his 12th homer this season.

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