Kevin Gausman’s left shoulder is not fully healthy, but he believes it is ready for the biggest assignment of his short Chicago Cubs tenure.

The veteran right-hander will start Wednesday’s NL Wild Card Game 2 against the San Diego Padres, with Chicago needing a victory to keep the season alive. Gausman tested the shoulder in a pregame bullpen session Tuesday and came away feeling capable of taking the mound. His update offered some encouragement after the Cubs’ 8-0 loss in the opener.

“It feels all right, good enough to go out there and give it everything I got,” Gausman said, via Meghan Montemurro. “So that’s what I’m gonna do.”

The injury involves his non-throwing shoulder, which he hurt while making a diving tag during his final regular-season start against the Miami Marlins.

Article Continues Below

Manager Craig Counsell is choosing Gausman over alternatives such as Clay Holmes and Shota Imanaga, trusting the veteran’s experience in an elimination game. Those pitchers remain possible options if Gausman struggles early or cannot work deep into his outing. Chicago has little room to wait for a struggling starter to find his rhythm.

The challenge is substantial. San Diego hit three home runs off Matthew Boyd in Game 1, including first-inning shots from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Michael King then held Chicago to one hit over seven scoreless innings, leaving the Cubs chasing a game that got away from them fast.

Five strong innings from Gausman would go a long way toward changing that script. Keeping the Padres quiet early would give Chicago’s hitters time to respond against Nick Pivetta and allow Counsell to use his bullpen with the game still within reach.

Gausman’s willingness to pitch gives the Cubs an opportunity.