Tommy Hottovy takes his victory lap

In this episode of the Mully & Haugh Show, host Tommy Hottovy reflects on key developments in the Cubs' pitching staff, celebrating Shota Imanaga's impressive performances on short rest and praising his work ethic and resilience. He highlights Javi Asad's crucial role in the rotation after injuries, emphasizing the importance of his sinker and command. Matthew Boyd's successful return from a biceps injury is welcomed, with focus on his physical recovery and gradual reintegration into the rotation. The conversation turns to Riley Martin, a former pharmacy student turned promising big-league pitcher, whose journey and adaptability exemplify the Cubs' player development philosophy. Hottovy also addresses the growing concern of arm injuries across MLB, attributing it to increased velocity demands, intense off-season training, and the unnatural stress of overhand pitching. He underscores the team's data-driven approach to monitoring workload and recovery, though acknowledges the limitations of current science in fully preventing injuries. Finally, Hottovy expresses cautious optimism for Edward Cabrera’s upcoming start, urging a return to aggressive attack mode in the strike zone.