It probably wasn’t the circumstances young Bud Norris dreamed of for his Major League Baseball debut – entering the game with the Astros trailing the Cubs 9-0 after four innings – but the setting was splendid, historic Wrigley Field, and his performance lived up to the hype. Norris threw 52 pitches (33 for strikes) in three innings allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts. With Roy Oswalt leaving Tuesday’s game in the second inning with a back injury, Norris appears to be in line to take Oswalt’s spot in the starting rotation. If the Wizard is still on the mend, Norris should get the nod Sunday in St. Louis vs. the Cardinals.
This article appears in July 24 • 2009.