Travis Wood pitches the Cubs to a 6-1 win against the Mets; The Anthony Rizzo era is about to begin

The Cubs won 6-1 over the New York Mets at Wrigley Field tonight.  Travis Wood started for the Cubs and pitched seven shutout innings and allowed five hits, one walk, and threw six strikeouts on 93 pitches.  Wood had excellent command of his pitches and led his team to a win.

Travis Wood pitched seven shutout innings against the Mets (photo from cubs.com)

Joe Mather got the Cubs on the board with a hard-hit two-run homer in the fourth inning.  The Cubs then scored four runs in the seventh inning when the Mets made three errors.  Shawn Camp pitched in relief in a scoreless eighth inning, but the Cubs were one out from a shutout in the ninth inning when Ike Davis hit a solo home run off of James Russell.

Joe Mather is congratulated by Geovany Soto after his 2-run homer against the Mets (photo from cubs.com)

This was definitely one of the more fun games to watch this season!  Go Cubs Go!

The other big news of today - It's official:  Anthony Rizzo is on his way to Chicago and will start in Tuesday night's game against the New York Mets. 

Rizzo was hitting .345 with 23 homers and 62 RBI in 69 games at Iowa.  After his second at-bat during the Iowa Cubs' game against Round Rock today, he was told he had been promoted to Chicago.  “I had no idea before the game,” Rizzo said.  “After that at-bat, I figured something was up because (manager Dave Bialas) usually comes out to get the helmet of whoever makes the final out.  He didn’t do it that time.  He told me to come on in.  That’s when he told me I was going to Chicago.”

Regarding Cubs fans, Rizzo said, “I want to tell them that there’s going to be good times, and there will there be bad times.  Hopefully there will be times I’m a hero, and there will be times that I’m the villain.  That’s the nature of the game, and that goes for every baseball player.”

Anthony Rizzo (shown here during Cubs' spring training) will make his Cubs debut Tuesday against the Mets (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said that Rizzo "has got to understand he's not a savior of this offense right now.  I think that's what he's got to be careful of.  If he comes up here and tries to save a struggling offense...he can't do it with one swing of the bat.  It'd be nice if he did."

Sveum said he'll probably bat Rizzo third or fourth in the lineup "so somebody can hit behind him."  Bryan LaHair, who has been playing the most at first base, will play in the outfield almost exclusively, and Rizzo will play first base "most of the time", according to Sveum.

“You’re going to play in front of the greatest fans in baseball,” former teammate Chris Volstad told Rizzo in the clubhouse during the Iowa Cubs’ game against Round Rock.  “You’ll do great.”

Well, this sure is exciting news and gives Cubs fans something to be pumped about, since the Cubs currently have the worst record in the Majors.  After tonight's game, Adrian Cardenas has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Rizzo on the 25-man roster.  Rizzo will wear number 44 for the Cubs.

In other Cubs news, former Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Michael Bowden was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for an estrogen-blocking drug, tamoxifen, which is used to minimize side effects typical in steroid use and is one of 200 substances on the banned list, but is not a performance-enhancing drug.

Former Cub Marlon Byrd has been placed on the restricted list and suspended for 50 games (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Via the players' union, Byrd released the following statement:  "I made an inexcusable mistake. Several years ago, I had surgery for a condition that was private and unrelated to baseball.  Last winter, I suffered a recurrence of that condition and I was provided with a medication that resulted in my positive test.  Although that medication is on the banned list, I absolutely did not use it for performance enhancement reasons.  I am mortified by my carelessness and I apologize to everyone who loves this game as I do.  I will serve my suspension, continue to work hard and hope that I am given an opportunity to help a club win later this season."  Byrd had been released by the Red Sox and was playing at the minor league level.

Tomorrow is the big game at 7:05pm where Anthony Rizzo will make his debut.  Randy Wells will start for the Cubs in place of Ryan Dempster (who is on the disabled list for a tight right lat) and try for his second win of the season.

Cubs make roster moves and start four-game series against Giants in San Francisco tonight

The Cubs will play game one of a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants tonight at 9:15pm CT at AT&T Park, where Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try to keep the team's winning streak (which is currently at three games) going.

During the off-day yesterday, the Cubs signed free agent pitcher Shane Lindsay and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa.  They also released pitcher Nate Robertson, who is now a free agent.

Today, the Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Jairo Asencio off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.  Asencio will be on 25-man roster.  In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated right handed pitcher Michael Bowden for assignment.  Bowden was acquired in the Marlon Byrd trade with the Boston Red Sox.

The Cubs acquired former Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jairo Asencio today (US Presswire photo)

The Cubs have named Triple-A Iowa first baseman Anthony Rizzo and Single-A Daytona right-handed pitcher P.J. Francescon as minor league player and pitcher of the month for May.

Stay tuned for a postgame update!

Cubs and Cardinals split series 1-1; Cubs acquire minor league LHP Hunter Cervenka

The Cubs, who had won two straight games, lost 7-6 to the St. Louis Cardinals today, which means the two arch rivals split the series, 1-1.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs but didn't have as good of an outing as his last four starts.

Maholm  gave up four runs in six innings while striking out five and walking three.  Maholm had allowed just three earned runs over his previous four starts.  "After the first, I started making a lot better pitches," Maholm said.  "Some days you've just got to go out there and battle and whatever is working you just keep going with it."

Highlights of today's game included Bryan LaHair and Alfonso Soriano's home runs and Starlin Castro, Ian Stewart, and Reed Johnson's RBI singles.

Alfonso Soriano's home run tied the game in the 9th, but the Cubs bullpen couldn't hold off the Cardinals (photo from cubs.com)

For a full game recap, you can link to an article on cubs.com here.

In other Cubs news, the team acquired minor league LHP Hunter Cervenka from the Boston Red Sox to complete the Marlon Byrd-Michael Bowden trade from last month.

The Cubs will play the first of a two game series against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow at 7:05pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and will try to earn his third win of the season. 

Injury updates on Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster; Enter to win tickets to the Dempster Family Foundation Casino Night

The Cubs will play the Philadelphia Phillies tonight at 6:05pm, where Paul Maholm will try for his second win this season.  In the meantime, following is an update on Cubs players currently on the disabled list.

Kerry Wood threw a bullpen session today and is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Monday.  He could come off the disabled list on Thursday, May 3rd.

Kerry Wood could return from the disabled list on May 3rd (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Ryan Dempster is on track to come off the disabled list on time (also Thursday, May 3rd).  This means that Randy Wells would make one more start on Saturday before Dempster comes back next week.

Starter Ryan Dempster could return on May 3rd from the DL (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Randy Wells is expected to make one more start in place of Ryan Dempster on April 28th (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Jeff Samardzija's next start has been pushed back one day to Tuesday, May 1st and a reason hasn't been given.  Chris Volstad will pitch on Monday's game against the Phillies.

Former Cubs centerfielder Marlon Byrd says that he will miss being a Cub and told Tony Campana, whom he mentored in Campana's 2011 rookie season, that he can call Byrd anytime with any questions.  What a genuinely nice guy!

Pitcher Ryan Dempster and his wife Jenny's Dempster Family Foundation will be hosting the third annual Casino Night on Wednesday, May 9th at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.  WGN-TV is giving away a pair of tickets online.  Click on this link to enter the giveaway from now through Friday, May 4th at 11:59am CT.  Guests at Casino Night will get the chance to mingle and play casino games with Ryan and Jenny, Chicago Cubs players, coaches, and front office personnel, and other celebrity friends from the sports and entertainment industries.  For more information on the event, you can visit http://dempsterfamilyfoundation.org/casinonight/

Randy Wells returns; Cubs lose 4-3 to the Reds; Starlin Castro ok after taking a pitch to elbow

The Cubs lost to the Reds today, 4-3 at a chilly Wrigley Field.  I was at the game and can attest that the wind was definitely blowing in and hardly let up throughout the game.

Randy Wells made his first start of the season and ended up with a no-decision.  He gave up just two runs over five innings.  Unfortunately, the Cubs' offense couldn’t score more than twice in today's game to win the series.

Wells was pitching in place of Ryan Dempster, who was put on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quad.  Wells started the 2012 season at Triple-A Iowa, after competing for a spot in the Cubs' starting rotation. 

"It's always tough to watch your teammates on TV, but we were down there [with Iowa] and it was what had to happen and you can't sit there and dwell on it," Wells said.  "You have to do what you can do down there to help your team win.  It's good to be back up.  The circumstances are rough. Hopefully I can pitch better the next time out and we'll see what happens."

Randy Wells made his first start of the season today in place of Ryan Dempster, who is on the DL

Manager Dale Sveum said, "He got some big outs when he had to.  He made some pitches and did a good job for five innings and did a good job getting out of some jams."

The Cubs had one scare in the seventh inning when Starlin Castro was hit on his left elbow by Cueto's pitch.  “I felt like it broke my whole arm the first time he hit me,” Castro said.  “But after I lay down [on the dirt] and ran the bases, the hurt was gone and I felt pretty good.”

Starlin Castro receives applause after he recovers from being hit in the elbow during the seventh inning

Castro ended up staying in the game and wore a protective brace on his elbow in the ninth when he tripled off former Cub Sean Marshall.  “I think [Castro] was more shocked [after he was hit],” Dale Sveum said. “I don’t think it got him on the bone — it got him more on the flesh, thank God.”

It was a chilly but beautiful day for Cubs baseball today

Tomorrow the Cubs will face the Cardinals at Wrigley Field at 7:05pm CST, where Matt Garza will be the starting pitcher.  The team will also have to make another roster move to make room for relief pitcher Michael Bowden, who was acquired yesterday in the trade with the Boston Red Sox for Marlon Byrd.

Cubs trade Marlon Byrd to Red Sox; Tony Campana and Randy Wells added to roster; Ryan Dempster goes on DL

It's official:  The Cubs have traded centerfielder Marlon Byrd to the Boston Red Sox for RHP Michael Bowden and a player to be named later.  The Cubs will pay most of Byrd's $6.5 million salary for this season.

Also, Tony Campana was called up from Triple-A Iowa today to replace Ryan Dempster, who went on the disable list with a strained right quad.  Randy Wells will take Dempster's spot in the starting rotation and will also replace Byrd on the roster.

Wells was 7-6 with the Cubs last season but lost a spot in the rotation in the spring to Chris Volstad.  "I'm excited to be back," Wells said. "Unfortunately, it's under these circumstances.  Nonetheless, it's an opportunity to get up here and I'm ready to go and show them I can pitch at this level.  You can't sit there and dwell on the negative," he said. "I went to (Iowa) and worked on some stuff and got some stuff straightened out.  The ERA obviously doesn't do it justice, but the pitch quality (was good)."

Veteran pitcher Randy Wells will make his first start for the Cubs this season tomorrow (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs will play the final game in their 3-game series against the Reds tomorrow at 1:20pm CST.  Randy Wells will make his first start this season, in place of the injured Ryan Dempster.

Ryan Dempster pitches well, but doesn't get much run support in Cubs 2-1 loss to Brewers; Bleacher-view photos from the game

The Cubs lost 2-1 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the third game of the four game series today at Wrigley Field.  Ryan Dempster struck out five batters and gave up two runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings.  The Cubs held the lead until 7th inning, when Dempster gave up a 2-run homer to George Kottaras and the score remained 2-1 until the end of the game.

Although it was a chilly day in Chicago, it was very comfortable (even hot at times) in the bleachers, where I sat, thanks to Cubs tickets that Billy Dec was giving away via Facebook and Twitter.

The team has a 1-5 record this season, which is the worst start since 1997, when the Cubs set a National League record with an 0-14 mark.  Let's hope the Cubs can get a win tomorrow so that they aren't swept by the Brew Crew!

Here are some photos I took during today's game:

Ryan Dempster warms up before starting today's game against the Brewers

Ryan Dempster warming up during batting practice

Third baseman Ian Stewart takes batting practice

Jeff Samardzija and Kerry Wood during batting practice

The new right field electronic billboard displays "April 2012 Opening Week"

Cubs upon finishing batting practice

Gallardo vs. Dempster

Demps in action

Marlon Byrd doing "step" exercises inbetween innings

Relief pitcher James Russell warms up in the bullpen

Meeting on the mound in the 7th inning

Cubs outfielders hanging together while James Russell warms up

Sign outside Murphy's Bleachers

The Cubs will play their final game against the Brewers at 1:20pm tomorrow.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and let's hope he can lead the team to their second "W" of the season!

Cubs win 7-4 over the Reds; Byrd rumors; Roster cuts coming Thursday

The Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-4 in Goodyear today.  Matt Garza pitched four innings and gave up two runs and seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts.  Second baseman Darwin Barney was 3-for-4 today and is hitting .389 for the spring.

Second baseman Darwin Barney had three hits vs. the Reds on Tuesday (AP photo)

The rumor mill has been going crazy lately about the Cubs looking at trading centerfielder Marlon Byrd in order to be able to call up top prospect Brett Jackson and also in hopes of getting a relief pitcher in the trade.  I personally am a big fan of Byrd's and feel that his positive attitude is a great asset to the team.  I can attest to this because I've met him a couple of times and he is one of the nicest guys around and his positive energy definitely rubs off on you.  But we'll see what happens.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum expects to have 95 percent of his roster set after a meeting with his coaching staff following tomorrow's game.  There will be numerous cuts to the roster on Thursday, which is currently at 40 players.

Tomorrow the Cubs will play the Cleveland Indians at HoHoKam Park at 3:05pm.  Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to start the game.  Randy Wells is expected to pitch at least one inning in relief.  Wells will get another start on April 1st.  You can listen to tomorrow's game on cubs.com.  Only 9 more days until Opening Day!

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!