On March 3, hearts on the North Side of Chicago skipped a beat when it was announced that Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was held out of that day’s game due to tightness in his right hamstring.
Initial reports, including a post by Bruce Levine from 670 The Score, sparked anxiety among Cubs fans, with some expressing concerns like, “Yeah, the season is over” and “This team is cursed.” Such reactions were understandable given Crow-Armstrong’s key role as the Cubs’ center fielder and potential leadoff hitter.
The tense atmosphere lightened the following day, March 4, when Levine posted an update, calming fans with the news: “Cubs Pete Crow Armstrong said he’s all good to play today. He said he felt a bit of something in his right hamstring yesterday, and the staff convinced him to take the day off. ‘If it was just up to me, I would have played,’ he said.”
While Crow-Armstrong appeared to be fine, the Cubs might still consider a cautious approach, especially given the unpredictable nature of soft tissue injuries. Taking an extra day or two of rest could be a wise move, particularly for a player whose game relies so much on speed.
Crow-Armstrong’s health is especially crucial for the Cubs, who are optimistic about their prospects for the 2025 season. PECOTA projections currently place Chicago with a 7.1% chance to win the World Series this year, ranking them fifth, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles. Losing Crow-Armstrong for an extended period could certainly affect those chances.
Although his rookie season in the Majors wasn’t particularly eye-catching, with a .237/.286/.670 slash line, 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases, Crow-Armstrong showcased his defensive prowess, with many predicting he will eventually win multiple Gold Gloves. In the final two months of 2024, after adjusting his batting approach in late July, he demonstrated his offensive potential, finishing with a 2.2 WAR, which ranked 19th in the league during that stretch.
“I still feel like I have that in me,” Crow-Armstrong said, referring to his strong late-season performance. “This year could be the year, but I know I can put together something really good.”
His teammates are equally aware of his potential. Crow-Armstrong started strong in spring training, hitting 7-for-14 with a home run and 4 RBIs. “He has the ability to impact the game in a bunch of different ways,” said Ian Happ. “Being more consistent on offense, he knows that’s the difference. He’s worked all offseason on the little things that get you there.”
This has led to speculation that the Cubs might consider offering him an extension. However, Crow-Armstrong feels it’s too soon for such talks. “I still need to play a full 162 to really deserve that,” he said. “But I’m always open to that conversation with them. They’ve been straightforward with me.” He added, “I still have more to prove.”
Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, however, is confident it’s only a matter of time. “He’s a guy that wants to get better,” Swanson said. “He has that competitive, internal drive. He really is capable of doing anything he wants. He’s got the ability. A lot of it is him coming into his own. The mental side will come, and if Pete sets his mind to it, I know he’ll do it.”
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