Day 4 results of Cubs bunting tournament; Cubs get their baseball card photos taken

The Cubs had their 4th day of their bunting tournament.  Carlos Marmol, Ryan Dempster, Dale Sveum, Geovany Soto, Jeff Baker, Marlon Byrd and David DeJesus advanced, while Matt Garza, Trever Miller, Kerry Wood, Blake DeWitt, Alfredo Amezaga, Reed Johnson and Alfonso Soriano were eliminated.  The matchup between Paul Maholm and Rodrigo Lopez was delayed due to Maholm's illness (he was sent home early from camp today).

Kerry Wood competing in the Cubs bunting tournament today (photo from Meghan Montemurro)

Carlos Marmol celebrates after edging out Matt Garza in the bunting tournament (photo from Paul Sullivan)

Cubs manager Dale Sveum prepares for his turn in the bunting tournament (photo from Chicago Cubs)

The Cubs also had their photos taken for their Topps baseball cards today.  Following are some photos of the action:

Marlon Byrd getting his photo taken for his baseball card (photo from Rafer Weigel)

Matt Garza getting his baseball card photo taken (photo from Rafer Weigel)

Starlin Castro poses for his baseball card photo (photo from Rafer Weigel)

Ryan Dempster poses for his baseball card photo (photo from Rafer Weigel)

Alfonso Soriano getting his baseball card photo taken, possibly his last one as a Cub? (photo from Rafer Weigel)

Manager Dale Sveum announced the starting pitchers for the first three Cubs spring training games:  Lopez, Dempster, and Garza.  He says not to read too much into this starting rotation, because they will be setting the regular season rotation later.

Today, the Cubs announced the details for purchasing single-game tickets.  Details can be found here: http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120227&content_id=26878324&vkey=pr_mlb&c_id=chc&partnerId=aw-4989702543269674948-1023

On another note, former Cubs reliever Sean Marshall signed a three-year, $16.5 million extension with the Reds.  "I'm super excited," Marshall said. "Since day one when I came to the new facility here and got to meet my Reds teammates and staff, and got to be back with Dusty [Baker] and the coaches I was with, they were all very welcoming. I've been very excited so far in Spring Training."  Marshall's contract carries a partial no-trade clause and he can earn up to $1 million in bonuses for games finished as a closer, and $1 million for games started should he ever become part of the rotation.  I'm happy for Marshall, who is very deserving of the extension, but am a little bummed since he won't be returning to the Cubs anytime soon.

There was a small scare this morning when Kerry Wood drilled Starlin Castro's right wrist during batting practice.  Thankfully, Castro was ok and was able to continue with practice.  Phew!