Cubs spring training in full swing; 7 players are Top Prospects; Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

Cubs players have been working hard in Mesa at the Cubs' new spring training facility to prepare for the upcoming season.  Below are some photos:

Cubs full squad workout (photo from @CarrieMuskat on Twitter)

1B Anthony Rizzo at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

Top prospects Javier Baez and Jorge Soler at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

Top prospect 3B Kris Bryant at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

3B Mike Olt at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

In other Cubs news, there are seven Cubs players in Baseball America's annual Top 100 prospects list, including two in the Top 10 and five in the Top 50.  These players are listed below:

  #5 - Javier Baez
  #8 - Kris Bryant
 #28 - C.J. Edwards
 #36 - Albert Almora
 #41 - Jorge Soler
 #87 - Pierce Johnson
#100 - Arismendy Alcantara

The seven Cubs prospects tied for second with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Boston Red Sox are in first place, with eight prospects (which makes sense, since it was Theo Epstein's former club).  To compare, the Cubs had just four prospects on last year's list.  We'll take it!

Here is the Cubs' Spring Training broadcast schedule, for those of you who are itching to watch our men in blue:

2014 Cubs Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (CT)	TV	Radio
February
Thursday, February 27	vs. Arizona	2:05 PM	WGN	MLB.com
Friday, February 28	@LA Angels	2:05 PM		WGN 720
March
Saturday, March 1	@Arizona	8:10 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 1	vs. San Francisco	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Sunday, March 2	vs. Kansas City	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Monday, March 3	@Milwaukee	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Tuesday, March 4	vs. Oakland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 5	vs. Colorado	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 6	@Cleveland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Friday, March 7	vs. Cleveland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 8	@Cincinnati	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Sunday, March 9	vs. Milwaukee	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Monday, March 10	@San Francisco	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Tuesday, March 11	vs. Colorado	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 12	@Seattle	9:05 PM		MLB.com
Friday, March 14	vs. LA Dodgers	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 15	@Kansas City	3:05 PM		WGN 720
Saturday, March 15	vs. NY Mets	3:05 PM	WGN
Sunday, March 16	vs. Cleveland	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Monday, March 17	vs. LA Angels	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Tuesday, March 18	@Texas	9:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 19	@Colorado	8:40 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 20	vs. Seattle	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Friday, March 21	@Chi White Sox	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 22	vs. Cincinnati	3:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Sunday, March 23	@Oakland	3:05 PM	WGN	MLB.com
Monday, March 24	vs. San Diego	9:05 PM		WGN 720
Tuesday, March 25	vs. LA Angels	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Wednesday, March 26	@Arizona	3:10 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 27	vs. Chi White Sox	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Friday, March 28	@Arizona	8:40 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Saturday, March 29	@Arizona	3:10 PM	CSN	WGN 720

Just think, there are 38 days until #Cubs Opening Day in Pittsburgh and 42 days until the #Cubs Home Opener!  Comment below if you're one of the lucky ones that will be in Mesa to watch a game at Cubs Park.

Cubs win 5-2 against Padres; Spring roster cuts; Opening Day lineup

The Cubs won 5-2 against the San Diego Padres in today's spring training game at the Peoria Sports Complex.  Edwin Jackson was excellent as he allowed just one run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings.

Dave Sappelt hit a three-run homer against the Padres on Monday (photo from cubs.com)

Dave Sappelt's three-run homer helped bring the Cubs their victory.  Utility player Brent Lillibridge (who played first base in today's game) had two hits, including a triple to lead off the seventh inning.

As expected, the Cubs reduced their spring roster from 53 to 46 players today.  Junior Lake and Josh Vitters were optioned to Triple-A Iowa, Christian Villanueva was optioned to Double-A Tennessee and Jorge Soler was optioned to Single-A Daytona.  Non-roster spring training invitees Barret Loux, Javier Baez and Rafael Lopez were assigned to minor league camp.

In other Cubs news, pitcher Scott Baker had soreness in his right elbow so he underwent an MRI today.  The Cubs will find out the results of the MRI on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Chris Rusin will make his third start of the spring when the Cubs play the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Stadium.  Manager Dale Sveum is planning on using his projected Opening day lineup in tomorrow's game, which will be: DeJesus (CF), Castro (SS), Rizzo (1B), Soriano (LF), Schierholtz (RF), Castillo (C), Valbuena (3B), Barney (2B).  The game can be heard on cubs.com at 3:05pm CST.

Dale Sveum will use his projected Opening Day lineup in Tuesday's game against the Rangers (photo from Jesse Rogers, ESPN.com)

And speaking of Opening Day, it's just 14 days away!  Go Cubs Go!

Cubs win 8-1 over Dodgers; Dale Sveum announces starting rotation

The Cubs get a "W" in their exhibition game against the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon.  Chris Rusin had a great outing as he allowed just one hit and no runs while striking out one and walking one batter over five innings pitched.  The final score was 8-1.

Left handed pitcher Chris Rusin allowed just one hit over five innings against the Dodgers on Thursday (photo from cubs.com)

The Cubs bats returned today as Brent Lillibridge and Darnell McDonald had hits in their first two at-bats.  Welington Castillo also had a two-run triple and Brian Bogusevic had a two-run double.  Josh Vitters also made his first appearance in a spring training game since he was out for a quad injury.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum announced that the starting rotation at the start of the season will be (in the following order):

Jeff Samardzija, Edwin Jackson, Travis Wood, Scott Feldman and Carlos Villanueva.  Once Matt Garza and Scott Baker are healthy, they are both expected to join the starting rotation.  This means that the "Shark" will pitch when the Cubs open their season on the road in Pittsburgh on April 1st.  Edwin Jackson will get the call for the Home Opener at Wrigley Field on April 8th.  

Edwin Jackson will be the starting pitcher for the Cubs Home Opener on April 8th (AP photo)

Just 19 more days until Opening Day and 26 until the Home Opener!  Can't wait to sing "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

Photos of Cubs pitchers and catchers getting to work in Mesa

Cubs pitchers and catchers had their second official workout of spring training today at Fitch Park in Mesa.  Here are some photos from yesterday and today:

Darwin Barney prepares to enter the batting cage as Anthony Rizzo finishes on Tuesday (photo from @RaferWeigel on Twitter)

Scott Feldman is sporting Ryan Dempster's old number 46

Cubs players and staff at a team meeting before the team's first workout for pitchers and catchers on Tuesday (photo from @Cubs on Twitter)

The field is set for the second Cubs Bunting Tournament (photo from @CarrieMuskat on Twitter)

Any guesses as to who will win the second Cubs bunting tournament?  My early predictions are Travis Wood, Darwin Barney or David DeJesus.  I'd love to hear YOUR guesses in the comments section.  Anyway, it sure is nice to have baseball to get excited about again, isn't it?  Only 48 more days until Opening Day, Cub fans!

Pitchers and catchers in Mesa; Scott Hairston deal is official as Tony Campana is designated for assignment

Today is finally the day when Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Mesa.  Hooray!  But along with the good comes some change.  The Cubs announced today they have made the two-year contract (which was first announced towards the end of January) with outfielder Scott Hairston official.  In a corresponding move, they have designated fan favorite Tony Campana for assignment.

Cubs fans will miss Tony Campana's speed and diving abilities

Many of Tony's fans are very upset at this news, which I can completely understand.  However, I think the Cubs are still hoping that Campana doesn't get picked up (especially by a contender) so that he can return to camp as a non-roster invitee.  I say this because why else would the Cubs wait this long before officially announcing the Hairston deal and Campana DFA news?  At this point, it's likely that most teams' 40-man rosters are set, so even if they wanted to, it would be tough for them to pick up Campana.  Of course, there are always exceptions to this, which we will know soon if Campana is claimed off waivers.

In the meantime, here's a list of Cubs uniform numbers for the new players on the 40-man roster and also for the non-roster invitees (as posted by Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat):

40-man roster
Pitchers
32 – Scott Baker
46 – Scott Feldman
71 – Trey McNutt
56 – Hector Rondon
57 – Carlos Villanueva
41 – Arodys Vizcaino
67 – Robert Whitenack
Catchers
4 – Dioner Navarro
Infielders
61 – Christian Villanueva
74 – Logan Watkins
Outfielders
19 – Nate Schierholtz
68 – Jorge Soler

Non-Roster Invitees
Pitchers
76 – Drew Carpenter
77 – Dayan Diaz
60 – Jensen Lewis
85 – Barret Loux
50 – Blake Parker
63 – Zach Putnam
81 – Nick Struck
47 – Hisanori Takahashi
59 – Cory Wade
Catchers
79 – J.C. Boscan
78 – Michael Brenly
82 – Rafael Lopez
Infielders
70 – Javier Baez
6 – Alberto Gonzalez
20 – Brent Lillibridge
65 – Edwin Maysonet
75 – Brad Nelson
Outfielders
66 – Brian Bogusevic
80 – Johermyn Chavez
16 – Darnell McDonald

It sounds like most of the pitchers are already in Mesa and have reported to camp.  The first official workout for pitchers and catchers will take place on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, here's a pic of Darwin Barney and Anthony Rizzo at Fitch Park  taken by Tim Sheridan on February 8th.

Darwin Barney and Anthony Rizzo at Fitch Park on February 8th (photo by Tim Sheridan)

For more pics and spring training info, you can check out Tim's "Boys of Spring" blog at: boysofspring.com.

Randy Wells pitches 3 scoreless innings in Cubs' 10-2 loss to the Brewers; 80 degrees in Mesa and Chicago!

The Cubs lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 10-2 today.  Randy Wells continued his case for winning a starting rotation spot by pitching three scoreless innings and only allowing two hits today, after pitching 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the White Sox last Friday.  "I was really pleased today," Wells said. "I didn't throw a whole lot of breaking stuff and really worked on my fastball command and sinker. When I did get guys on, I was able to get the ground ball. That's the one thing I'm taking away from today."

Randy Wells has pitched five scoreless innings so far this spring (photo by John Antonoff for Boys of Spring)

Unfortunately, things changed for the Cubs when Travis Wood came into the game in relief in the 4th inning and gave up six runs while retiring one batter while pitching only 1/3 of an inning.  "What happened today was unacceptable," Wood said. "It can't happen. . .It's time to get it going."  A complete recap of today's game can be found on cubs.com.

A crowd of 11,682 (the largest of the spring so far) was at HoHoKam Park to watch the game today in the 80-degree weather in Mesa.  It was also 80 degrees in Chicago today, which definitely means that Opening Day in 22 days won't be as nice!

The Cubs and Rodrigo Lopez will face the Rockies at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale tomorrow, while Ryan Dempster will start against the Diamondbacks at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.  You can listen to the game in Mesa on cubs.com at 3:05pm.

Cubs pitchers and catchers report tomorrow, DeWitt to Iowa, and Wrigley's right field bleacher renovations have begun

Tomorrow is the official reporting date for Cubs pitchers and catchers to spring training.  However, Carrie Muskat tweeted that early arrivals to camp are Kerry Wood, Travis Wood, Marlon Byrd, Darwin Barney, Geovany Soto, David DeJesus, Randy Wells, and Matt Garza.  She also posted the following photo on twitter:

Kerry Wood throwing at Fitch Park today (photo from @CarrieMuskat on twitter)

Cubs new third baseman Ian Stewart tweeted this morning, "Beautiful Scottsdale...oh how I missed you."  Kerry Wood also tweeted this morning, "2 more days til #Cubs #springtraining starts!!! Who's ready?"  Now I (as are all Cubs fans) am getting extra excited for the Theo era to begin!  The first workout for pitchers and catchers will be Sunday afternoon, with physicals taking place Sunday morning.

Cubs.com has an article about the team's 2012 pitching depth, which they didn't have last season.  Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster seem to be the only 2 starting pitchers from last season that will have a "guaranteed spot" in this year's starting rotation.  Other pitchers competing for the remaining 3 spots in the starting rotation are:  Paul Maholm, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood, Randy Wells, Rodrigo Lopez, Casey Coleman, Jeff Samardzija, Andy Sonnanstine, Jay Jackson, and Trey McNutt. 

Randy Wells, who was limited to 23 starts because of a forearm strain injury after his first start said, "It was competitive last year in Spring Training, although not quite to this extent," he said. "At the same time, it was fun to go in there and earn your keep. Things didn't work out for me like I wanted them to last year. I felt good in Spring Training and felt good in camp. I got hurt and had to overcome adversity there. I think I pitched good enough in the second half to at least put my name in the mix for competition." Wells was 4-0 in August with a 3.32 ERA in six starts.  We'll see what new pitching coach Chris Bosio thinks as we start spring training.

Here's a link to Carrie Muskat's article on Cubs.com: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120217&content_id=26727412&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc

In other Cubs news, Blake DeWitt, who was designated for assignment on 2/6/12, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Iowa Cubs on 2/16/12.

Back in Chicago, renovation of the right field bleachers has started at Wrigley Field.  The Cubs are planning to build a patio in the right field corner and install a 75-foot-wide and 7-foot-high LED sign, which will display game statistics and advertising.

An aerial view of the construction work on Wrigley Field's right field bleachers. This photo was taken Thursday. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Tribune photo)

Cubs baseball is just around the corner!

Just 2 days until Cubs pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Mesa!  Here's a photo of Fitch Park from Tim Sheridan's twitter account (he writes the highly informative Boys of Spring blog and is also the Cubs PA Announcer at HoHoKam Park):

Fitch Park Complex in Mesa, Arizona

I had the pleasure of meeting Tim at the Cubs Convention this year and always look forward to reading his blog, especially during spring training.  You can find his blog at: http://journal.boysofspring.com/
The Cubs front office is having organizational meetings in Mesa today and tomorrow, and the official reporting date for pitchers and catchers is Saturday, 2/18, with their first workout on Sunday, 2/19.  Position players report on Thursday, 2/23 and the full team's first workout will be on Friday, 2/24.

Happy Valentine's Day - 4 more days until Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa!

Something sweet for Valentine's Day....

But more importantly, Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa for spring training in 4 days!  Baseball season is literally just around the corner!

Kosuke Fukudome has signed with the Chicago White Sox, so he'll just be across town and is reportedly going play "any outfield position."  He will make a guaranteed $1MM, of which half will come in the 2012 season.  If he does well this season, he could make $3.5MM in 2013.

Also, the Cubs will not be moving into U.S. Cellular Field for the 2013 season while Wrigley Field is renovated.  There hasn't been an official timeline or detailed plan set yet for Wrigley's renovation.  So for now, U.S. Cellular just gets Kosuke!

Happy Valentine's Day to all the Cubs fans out there!

9 more days until Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa; Cubs 2012 broadcast schedule is set

10 (well technically 9, since it is after midnight!) more days until #Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa! (even though a bunch are already there, such as Matt Garza, Chris Carpenter, Darwin Barney, Jeff Samardzija, and Matt Szczur.)

The Cubs have also set their 2012 broadcast schedule.  Here's a link to the article from the Chicago Tribune:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-cubs-sox-set-2012-broadcast-schedules-20120208,0,6548378.story