Sent to Triple-A Iowa after a tough spring at the plate, Cubs Opening Day HR specialist Ian Happ was called back up to the big league club just in time to “do his thing.”
“Sending Ian down to Iowa was a really tough call,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. “And in retrospect, we did it about a week early. We really need him here for the opener to do his thing.”
Asked what the plan was for Happ after his annual lead-off, first-pitch home run in the opener, Maddon was clear.
“Oh, we’ll be sending him right back to Iowa,” said Maddon. “We really want him back with the big league club soon, but he’s got to work on some issues in all at bats that aren’t leading off the season.”
