David DeJesus defends Bunting title; Cubs reduce spring roster to 53 players; Injury updates

David DeJesus is the winner and defending champion of the 2nd Cubs bunting tournament.  Congrats to the Cubs outfielder, who beat Nate Halm, a video staffer, in the final round.

The first place prize was $3,400, of which $1,000 will be donated to the family of Tom Pratt, who is a longtime Cubs Minor League coach who passed away last December.

David DeJesus proudly wearing the Cubs bunting tournament championship belt

Since there are just a few weeks of Spring Training left, the Cubs made some roster moves today, which include:

Alberto Cabrera, Brooks Raley, Trey McNutt and Logan Watkins have been optioned to the Iowa Cubs.  Robert Whitenack has been optioned to the Tennessee Smokies and Nick Struck has been sent to minor league camp.  The current Cubs roster stands at 53 players, which includes 25 pitchers (nine non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 13 infielders (five non-roster invitees) and 10 outfielders (three non-roster invitees).

Last Friday, March 8th, the Cubs optioned Matt Szczur to the Smokies and assigned Dayan Diaz and Michael Brenly (both non-roster invitees) to minor league camp.

As far as the Cubs performance this spring, manager Dale Sveum isn't satisfied with the team's low on-base percentage.  "We've got to start kicking it in.  It's getting to that time in Spring Training where the core players will play quite a bit, longer innings and get more at-bats," Sveum said.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo will miss a few more days as he has been playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic and shortstop Starlin Castro is expected to return on Wednesday, after being sidelined since February 27th with hamstring tightness.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has been playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic (Chicago Tribune photo)

Sveum is optimistic about the core starting players for the team and said, "You've got a lot of young kids, raw kids, who aren't very patient at the plate and making quick outs.  That's a concern for another day.  I'll be more concerned [if there are problems] when I'm putting my regular eight guys out there and Rizzo is here and Castro is here."

I definitely agree with him and am curious to see how the team does with the regular starting players.  Hopefully there will be more wins, even if they are exhibition games!

Utility player Brent Lillibridge is also expected to return Wednesday, after suffering a strained groin on February 27th.

Third baseman Ian Stewart, who left an intrasquad game on February 21st with soreness in his quad is expected to return and play this Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Glendale.

Sveum said the following about Stewart's chances to make the team, “He came in knowing it was a job he was going to have to play well and produce (to start).  There are still 16, 17 possible games left starting Thursday, so hopefully cram 30 at-bats into that, and some minor league at-bats, too.  Go down there and lead-off and get 7-8 at-bats in a day.”

Josh Vitters, who has also been sidelined with a quad injury will also return Thursday as a reserve.

Can you believe there are just 22 days until the Cubs open their season in Pittsburgh against the Pirates?  Go Cubs Go!

Starlin Castro leaves today's game against Dodgers early with hamstring tightness; Cubs announce single-game ticket sales

The Cubs lost 11-7 to the Los Angeles Dodgers today at HoHoKam Stadium.  Not only did they lose their exhibition game, but Starlin Castro left the game in the fourth inning after injuring his left hamstring when he was running out a ground ball.  His injury has been referred to as hamstring tightness and his status will be day-to-day.

Starlin Castro bats during Wednesday's game against the Dodgers in Mesa (Chicago Sun-Times photo)

Starting pitcher Matt Garza, who has been out with a lat strain could start throwing again by Thursday, depending on how his workout today went.  Manager Dale Sveum is thinking that Garza should have enough time to recover by Opening Day, which is April 1st.

Third baseman Ian Stewart, who is sidelined with a left quad injury, was still able to participate in the bunting tourmanent today, but lost to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.  Stewart and Josh Vitters are rehabbing together, since they both have the same injury.  "Me and Ian are basically doing the same routine," Vitters said.  "We push each other."

Ian Stewart is rehabbing from a left quad injury, along with Josh Vitters (photo from Chicago Sun-Times)

Others that advanced in the bunting tournament today were Logan Watkins, Chris Rusin and strength coach Tim Buss, who beat pitcher Scott Baker.

The Cubs announced that single game tickets will go on sale at the ticket office at Wrigley Field on Friday, March 8th at 8am CT, with online and phone sales following at 10am CT.  Fans who wish to purchase tickets in person at Wrigley Field between 8-10am on March 8th must obtain a wristband, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sunday, March 3, from 10 am to 6 pm, and Monday, March 4, from 7 am to 7 pm, at the Captain Morgan Club on the corner of Addison Street and Sheffield Avenue. 

The winning numbers will be chosen two days in advance of the on-sale date so fans can plan to be at Wrigley Field for Friday's general on-sale event.  Winning numbers will be announced on WGN Radio (720 AM) and www.cubs.com Wednesday, March 6, at 8 am.  Winners of the wristband drawing will be able to purchase single game tickets in person at Wrigley Field on Friday, March 8th starting at 8am.  There is a limit of one wristband per person.  Fans will be required to show two forms of identification when picking up their wristband, one of which needs to be a valid government-issued photo ID.  Wristbands must be unaltered, intact and worn until the buyer has made their ticket purchase.  The same form of identification used to obtain a wristband must be presented at the time of purchase.  For more details on single-ticket sales, please visit this link.

Just 34 more days until Opening Day!

after pulling up lame running out a ground ball to short.

Castro was trying to beat out an infield single to short in the fourth inning when he grabbed his leg halfway down the line and began limping toward first.

After meeting with the trainer, Castro was removed from the game. The Cubs said the injury was left hamstring tightness. - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-castro-20130227,0,6552536.story#sthash.lWvTgSJQ.dpuf

after pulling up lame running out a ground ball to short.

Castro was trying to beat out an infield single to short in the fourth inning when he grabbed his leg halfway down the line and began limping toward first.

After meeting with the trainer, Castro was removed from the game. The Cubs said the injury was left hamstring tightness. - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-castro-20130227,0,6552536.story#sthash.lWvTgSJQ.dpuf

Cubs win third game in a row and sweep the Pirates

The Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates for the third day in a row Sunday afternoon, which also completed the series sweep.  This was the Cubs first series win since August 1-4, 2011 in Pittsburgh, coincidentally.

Chris Rusin started for the Cubs and allowed one run on five hits while striking out four batters and walking three over five innings pitched.

Third baseman Josh Vitters homered in the fourth inning to break his 0-for-27 streak.  Catcher Anthony Recker then hit his first major league homer in the same inning to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. 

James Russell balked in the seventh inning which allowed the Pirates to tie the game at 2-2 since a runner was on third.  

However, the game wasn't tied for long as Alfonso Soriano's two-run homer in the eighth inning gave the Cubs a 4-2 lead, which was eventually the final score.  Carlos Marmol threw 11 balls and 12 strikes in the ninth and loaded the bases with one out, but was able to survive and earned his 18th save of the season.  Russell earned his seventh win of the season. 

Alfonso Soriano's 2-run homer put the Cubs ahead against the Pirates on Sunday (photo from cubs.com)

Next the Cubs will travel to Houston to play a three-game against the Astros starting at 7:05pm CT. Chris Volstad will start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win of the season. 

Josh Vitters hits 1st career homer, but Cubs lose 9-5 to Brewers

The Cubs lose 9-5 to the Milwaukee Brewers at Miler Park Monday night.  Justin Germano made the start for the Cubs and allowed seven runs over eight hits while walking one and striking out three batters over 4.2 innings pitched.  Germano was tagged with the loss and now has a 2-3 record.

David DeJesus and Anthony Rizzo both doubled in the first inning to put the Cubs on the board and the Cubs were looking good with a 3-1 lead.

Things continued to look sharp for the Cubs as third baseman Josh Vitters hit his first career homer in the fifth inning.  But it all went downhill after that, when the Brewers scored eight runs in the bottom of the fifth. 

Corey Hart started it off with a two-run single to give the Brewers a 4-3 lead.  Then Jeff Beliveau came in to pitch in relief and gave up a three-run homer to Jonathan Lucroy, which was his second HR of the game.  Beliveau then went on to serve up a solo homer to Carlos Gomez to give the Brewers an 8-3 lead. 

The Cubs have now lost 16 of their last 20 games since July 31st, when Ryan Dempster was traded just before the trade deadline.  The team is currently on pace to lose 99 games this season.  Ouch! 

Josh Vitters hit his first career homer on Monday night against the Brewers (US Presswire photo)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Brewers will play the second game of the three-game series at 7:10pm CT.  Left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin will make his first career start and will also be the team's 11th starter this season.  Rusin has given up four earned runs over 18 2/3 innings pitched over his last three starts at Triple-A Iowa and has a 4.59 ERA in 24 starts this season.

Rusin is getting the opportunity to start because the Cubs have used all five starters over four days, due to the doubleheader on Saturday in Cincinnati.  So, Rusin is stepping in to help ensure the rotation gets the rest inbetween starts that is needed.  When manager Dale Sveum was asked to commment on Rusin, he said,  “He’ll just get that one for now and as we move forward we’ll see what’s going on."

Josh Vitters gets first MLB career hit and RBI as Cubs lose seventh straight; Alfonso Soriano's swollen hand is latest injury to hit Cubs

The Cubs lost 7-4 to the San Diego Padres in the second game of the three-game series.  Brooks Raley was called up from Triple-A Iowa to make his first Major League start, but didn't fare too well as he allowed seven runs on eight hits and issued three walks.  He was pulled after throwing 89 pitches.

Brooks Raley made his major league debut against the Padres on Tuesday (photo from cubs.com)

Tonight marks the team's seventh loss in a row.  Raley gave up four runs in the third after getting through the first two innings without allowing any runs.  He then gave up a three-run homer in the fourth to put the Cubs in the hole 7-0.

Darwin Barney's RBI double in the fifth inning got the Cubs going.  Josh Vitters had his first major league hit and RBI in the seventh which advanced the score to 7-4.  It was nice to see his teammates signing a commemorative ball for Vitters during the game.

Third baseman Josh Vitters got his first Major League hit and RBI against the Padres Tuesday night (photo from cubs.com)

One semi-disturbing thing is that outfielder Brett Jackson struck out eight times and walked once in his last nine plate appearances.  Jackson needs to stop swinging at pitches that are balls and start swinging at pitches that would be strikes.  But I'm sure it's way easier said than done.

One interesting thing to point out is that this year's Cubs team has already had 46 different players on it this season, which is just five shy of the club's record, which was set in 2000.  Of the current 25-man roster, fifteen players are new to the Cubs this year.

One helpful thing is that a lot of the new Cubs are familiar with each other because they were teammates at Triple-A Iowa.  Pitcher Jeff Beliveau said, “We’ve had about six new guys here since I was called up (on July 22).  It’s nice playing with guys that you played with in the minor leagues.  It gives you that confidence.  I see them doing it, so why can’t I do it? It’s the same game.”

In other Cubs news, outfielder Alfonso Soriano was taken out of tonight's lineup due to swelling in his right hand as a result of his hand accidentally being hit by the Padres' second baseman Logan Forsythe while sliding into second base during Monday's game.

"I don't feel comfortable holding the bat," Soriano said.  "He tried swinging a bat and couldn't do it," said manager Dale Sveum.

Tomorrow the Cubs and Padres will play the final game in the series at 5:35pm CT.  Jeff Samardzija will start for the Cubs and try for his eighth win of the season.

Cubs lose sixth straight; Matt Garza out indefinitely

The Cubs lost 2-0 to the San Diego Padres, which is their sixth loss in a row.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and allowed two runs over five hits and issued three walks and struck out three batters over six innings pitched.  Wood was charged with the loss and is now is 4-8 on the season.

Third baseman Josh Vitters was in the starting lineup for the first time in his career and and also made an incredible diving stop followed by a strong throw to get an out at first.

Third baseman Josh Vitters made an amazing diving stop on Monday night against the Padres

Centerfielder Brett Jackson was in the leadoff spot in his second career MLB game but perhaps it was too much pressure, too soon, as he struck out in his four at-bats tonight.

Brett Jackson didn't do well in the leadoff spot on Monday night against the Padres

In other Cubs news, Matt Garza has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right elbow and is out indefinitely, which means he could miss the rest of the season.  This is not good at all.

Pitcher Matt Garza is out indefinitely with a stress reaction in his elbow

Therefore, the Cubs will call up left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley from Triple-A Iowa to start for the Cubs on Tuesday in San Diego.  Raley was the Cubs' Pitcher of the Month in July and posted a 2.12 ERA.

It sounds like Raley, a 6th round pick in 2009, is excited, as he tweeted the following this afternoon, "Thanks everyone for the follow and good luck wishes...it's a dream come true #Iamtrulyblessed #cubs"

Brooks Raley will make his Cubs debut against the Padres on Tuesday

When Raley arrives in San Diego, he will be the 14th rookie to join the Cubs this season.  Tomorrow's game will be at 9:05pm CT and I sure hope Raley will get off to a good start and help snap this losing streak!

Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters make Cubs debut; Jeff Baker traded as Cubs lose 7-6 to Dodgers in crazy game

The Cubs lost 7-6 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of the three-game series this afternoon.  This was also the Cubs' fifth loss in a row.  Justin Germano made the start for the Cubs and allowed two runs over three hits while walking none and striking out three batters. 

There was a little bit of excitement before the game as the news came out that the Cubs traded utility player Jeff Baker to the Detroit Tigers for two players to be named later and also optioned outfielder Tony Campana to Triple-A Iowa.  In corresponding moves, the Cubs called up outfielder Brett Jackson and third baseman Josh Vitters from Triple-A Iowa.

Jackson and Vitters were on a 6am flight from Des Moines to Dallas, then arrived in Los Angeles just in time to get in a quick batting practice session.  "I can promise I'm going to play the game as hard as I always do, and I play to win, and that's the type of player I am and that's the type of player I'll always be," Jackson said.  I like the sound of that!

The long awaited call-up of outfielder Brett Jackson finally happened on Sunday against the Dodgers (photo from cubs.com)

Jackson was batting .256 with 15 home runs, 22 doubles, 12 triples, and 158 strikeouts in 106 games at Iowa, while Vitters was hitting .304 with 17 home runs, 32 doubles and two triples in 110 games.

Both Jackson and Vitters made their major league debuts in today's game.  Jackson grounded out to first in his first at-bat, was walked in the third inning and singled in the fifth inning.  Vitters flied out while pinch-hitting in the seventh.

Scott Maine blew the Cubs' lead by allowing three runs in the fifth.  However, the Cubs regained the lead when Alfonso Soriano hit a 2-run double in the seventh inning.  Then James Russell gave up a 2-run double to Andre Ethier in the seventh, which gave the Dodgers a 6-5 lead.

But it wasn't over yet, as Anthony Rizzo hit a game-tying home run to start off the ninth, but unfortunately Hanley Ramirez hit a walk-off RBI to win the game for the Dodgers in the ninth with one out.  Shawn Camp was tagged with today's loss.


In other Cubs news, Matt Garza will not start on Tuesday and is instead headed to the disabled list, which will be retroactive to 16 days because of elbow stiffness.  Casey Coleman or Chris Rusin will start for the Cubs on Tuesday in San Diego.  Ugh.

Tomorrow the Cubs will start a three-game series against the San Diego Padres at 9:05pm CT.  Travis Wood will start for the Cubs and try to earn his fifth win of the season.  I'm excited for the future of this team, but a win would be nice!