Cubs’ Nick Madrigal ‘in a lot better place’ since returning from IL

Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal had a rough start to the season but has hit his stride in recent weeks. File photoBALTIMORE – This time last year, second baseman Nick Madrigal had yet to travel to Wrigley Field to meet his new teammates, after a surprise trade from the White Sox to the Cubs, and had only recently sat down with president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer in the stands of an Arizona Complex League game.

Now, he’s climbed up the Cubs batting order over the past couple of weeks, into the leadoff spot.

“Just put him up there [at the top of the order] to get him back as many at-bats as we can possibly see from him, working his way [back,] with missing all the time he’s had,” Cubs…