Jon Lester injury update: Cubs ace (hamstring) throws simulated game

Bill Marx

Jon Lester injury update: Cubs ace (hamstring) throws simulated game image

Sidelined Cubs lefty Jon Lester threw 45 pitches in a simulated game Saturday at Wrigley Field, and manager Joe Maddon said Lester looked "very good."

Lester has been out since straining his left hamstring while running the bases April 8 in Chicago's home opener vs. the Pirates.

If Lester feels OK on Sunday, he could return as early as next week, The Associated Press reported via ESPN. The Cubs open a three-game series at home Tuesday against the Dodgers, and Maddon indicated a start in that series was a possibility. Jose Quintana and Cole Hamels are scheduled to start the first two games for Chicago, according to cubsinsider.com.

Lester, 35, is 1-0 with 2.57 ERA this season. He was 18-6 last year with a 3.32 ERA, and his 18 wins tied for the National League lead with the Nationals' Max Scherzer and the Cardinals' Miles Mikolas.

Bill Marx