Cubs flip Hammel, Montgomery in rotation

CHICAGO — Jason Hammel will have one less day to think about his last outing. The Cubs have tweaked the rotation, and Hammel will close their series against the Pirates on Wednesday night while lefty Mike Montgomery will get an extra day and start Thursday against the Giants.

Hammel threw 39 pitches over 2 1/3 innings last Saturday against the Dodgers, and was not happy about being lifted so early. After the outing, he said he felt as if he hadn’t even pitched. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts against the Pirates this season.

“We want to get ‘Hammer’ back out there a little sooner, and Montgomery, coming off 90 [pitches] in his last outing, gives him an extra day,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday. “It makes all the sense in the world to do it.”

Montgomery threw a season-high 91 pitches over five innings last Friday against the Dodgers, and Thursday’s game will be his third start for Chicago.

The Cubs also got good news regarding John Lackey, who threw his first bullpen session Monday since going on the disabled list on Aug. 15 with a right shoulder strain. Lackey will throw another bullpen Thursday and could start on Sunday in the series finale against the Giants.

Montero’s …

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