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Right-hander Julian Merryweather took the Wrigley Field mound Tuesday before the Cubs’ series opener against the Phillies. A group of four hitters, plus pitching and hitting coaches, looked on from behind a net as he got ready to throw live batting practice.
“I’ve been progressing really well,” Merryweather said. “And getting that first live out of the way was a good first step to keep progressing, and we’re staying right on schedule.”
Merryweather has been sidelined since early April with a rib stress fracture. He went through a throwing program at the Cubs’ Arizona spring training complex and joined the team in Chicago for the final steps before he’s scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week.