Right-hander Michael Rucker came into the season understanding what his role might be in the Chicago Cubs bullpen.

So Rucker wasn’t surprised he hadn’t gotten the call during the Cubs’ first four games, thanks in part to two days off. Rucker kept a “stay ready” mindset, and his preparedness was obvious when his opportunity arrived in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Rucker impressed in his season debut, throwing 2⅓ perfect innings with two strikeouts. He gave the Cubs exactly what they needed to help save a bullpen that likely will be challenged at hitter-friendly Coors Field during a four-game series that begins Thursday.

Rucker focused on getting in work before games to maintain a level of feel. He knows what his body needs to stay ready after experiencing long stretches without pitching at Triple A.

“Leaning on that experience and then just trying to stay ready helped me be able to stay fresh and in sync and in a groove today,” Rucker said.

Rucker, 27, had not pitched in a game since the Cubs’ final Cactus League game on April 5. Managing his workload is a balancing act when going more than a week between facing live hitters. Rucker threw 10 pitches in the bullpen before Wednesday’s game to get in reps without taxing his arm. Dry work allows him to mentally prepare too.

“Either the groundwork goes good or it goes bad, I’m still able to learn from it and gather something,” Rucker said. “Really the most important part of this year is just trying to manage loads and make the pitches that we throw count.”

Rucker came into his outing looking to attack Pirates hitters, knowing they are aggressive and likely would take hacks early in the count. He used that to his advantage, needing only 28 pitches to record seven outs.

“As long as they were going to let me go out there, I was going to run out there doing my best stuff,” Rucker said.

Willson Contreras embraces back-picking opportunities

With the Cubs trailing by four runs in the fourth inning, catcher Willson Contreras seized an opening to help his pitcher.

Rucker had just entered the game in relief of the struggling Kyle Hendricks, charged with recording the final out as the Pirates had runners on first and second. On an 0-1 fastball high and away to the left-handed-hitting Yoshi Tsutsugo, Contreras fired the ball to second baseman Jonathan Villar.

Villar got the tag on Pirates designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach to perfectly execute a back pick at second base to end the inning.

Contreras couldn’t help but flash a smile afterward. He played with Vogelbach in the minors from 2012-16, coming up through the Cubs farm system together as teammates at every level from short-season Boise to Triple-A Iowa.

The next time Vogelbach came to the plate in the seventh, Contreras told him: “You should know better. That was a huge lead.”

“There was a little smile, but obviously he should be mad at that,” Contreras said.

Bench coach Andy Green, who filled in for manager David Ross (under the weather), credited Contreras for making a great read and getting the Cubs out of the inning. The back-pick throws have become a favorite of Contreras over the years and are another way he affects a game.

“It was something that came on all by itself since 2016,” Contreras said. “I wasn’t trying and then I fell in love with back-picking guys, and every time that I get a chance I will try.”

Fifth starter still a question

The Cubs’ pitching probables for their four-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field still have an unknown.

While left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Marcus Stroman are slated to start the first two games and left-hander Drew Smyly takes Sunday’s series finale, Saturday’s starter is to be determined. It won’t be right-hander Alec Mills.

Mills (low back strain) is eligible to come off the injured list Thursday, but Ross said pregame Wednesday that Mills has been pushed back a little as he continues to build up in Arizona.

With a 14-man pitching staff, the Cubs have some flexibility with their choices. If his suspension is still under appeal, right-hander Keegan Thompson figures to be among those considered for Saturday’s start considering his past starting experience and ability to go multiple innings.

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