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Cubs pair Contreras with Arrieta for first time
- Updated: August 18, 2016
CHICAGO — Cubs manager Joe Maddon felt it was time to let rookie catcher Willson Contreras take Jake Arrieta out for a “test drive.”
On Thursday, for the first time this season, Contreras was behind the plate to catch Arrieta in the Cubs’ series finale against the Brewers. Miguel Montero has been matched with the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner this season, although David Ross caught Arrieta’s no-hitter on April 21 in Cincinnati.
“We’ll take a test drive and see what it looks like,” Maddon said of Contreras’ opportunity. “He’s definitely prepared for the moment.”
Contreras was promoted to the Cubs in mid-June, and the plan at the time was to have the rookie learn from Montero and Ross. Entering Thursday, Montero had caught 51 games, Ross 40 and Contreras 23. Montero has handled the transition well, said Maddon, who talked to the veteran on Wednesday.
“I mean this absolutely as sincerely as I possibly can — I’ve been so …
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