Blanco has a knee strain...out 7 to 10

days according to Muskat.

Barney and Castro will get more playing time.

Suzy, thank you for posting.

prior-wood-hill-now guzman!.........damn!

101 yrs anc counting is all i've got to say so for all U "we need to get younger"......younger don't mean squat and i'd rather say "we need to win".....so tommy ricketts as dave kaplan and bruce levine have mentioned.....the payroll is what it is....so time to act like a big boy club and give JH the monies to get a set-up man......NOT a middle RP.......we need a certiiable RP......like a jason frasor.

don't kid yourself the kids can make up the loss of angel; who'll can no longer be counted on again.....and exaclty why prospects are nothing more than a prospect and even more so on a team over a century on last WS win.........we need to WIN.......not get younger.

silva is FAT and should be put on the DL.......for a month or more once april rolls around(no pun intended)......needs to get in shape and get some arm strength.

here's hoping smardz or parisi can be the 5th starter till lilly gets back so marshall get pitch in the pen; HUGE to have that now.

and to cubs mgmt: monster F on handling guzman; he was hurt at end of yr and should not of been sent home; his injury is really bad; but it could of been a 3-4 month injury which could of been discouvered by let's say Dec? and been useful by mid-season..........

This time I totally agree regarding the Cubs and Guzman...Hendry eben said on the radio he really wasn't surprised....

WELL...they should have looked at this in September...although they did say they were pleased with his pitching in

January...IT just doesn't make a lot of sense.

I hope they don't try to force Samardzija

in to the pen again....He needs to be strictly a starter for a year.

I can see them looking hard at Cashner for the pen...but Hendry needs to

address this and make a damn trade.

btw...we've been spanked.

I wrote an article about Cashner being a strong possibility for the bullpen. He has great stuff and coming out of the draft he was projected more as a Top-tier

reliever, than a starter. He is more valuable as a starter though, if he can make it as a Major league starter. Here's a link if you care to read it. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/357835-chicago-cubs-andrew-cashner-is-a-strong-possibility-with-guzman-out

Nice piece, Patrick....In a perfect world, I think Cashner would spend time as a starter in AA/AAA to start the season...however, If the Cubs can't find a RHP to trade for. They might have to turn to him for the pen.

Both the Red Sox (Bucholz) and Yankees have gone this route with their young prospects...Coleman and Diamond utilize several pitches in their repertoire and seem solely suited for SP.

Samardzija NEEDS to stay a SP...either

AAA or Wrigley...the only other guy I would consider (back of the pen) is Dolis...but he's pretty raw and hasn't yet proven he can master his control

problems...(think Aardsma with the Cubs/not Mariners.)

Lou's mentioned Cashner on several occasions...although he says it is an organizational decision as to whether he stays as a starter or moves to the pen.

In any case, I'm just a fan...so what do I know?

Thank you Suzy

I agree I think it would be ideal for the cubs to get a guy in trade and cashner more time starting in the minors. But, that depends on who they get and at what price (in terms of prospects). Gregersen's home road splits are scary, Frasor is a one year wonder and is getting up there in age. If the choice was between the 2 I would go with Gregersen. Maybe Blake Parker, Mike Parisi, Mitch Atkins, or Justin Berg can step up.

Coulda used a run there...I don't care if it's ST or not--I hate losing to the Sox

Mee too, I fucking hate them.

And again...Soriano bobbles the ball...

it's going to be a long season with him in left again.

Soriano looked like he took his eye off the ball when he hit that pop up.

Well the good thing is Silva can really only improve....if you're looking for a silver lining......also you're heart just breaks for Guzman with all that he's had to go through this offseason

yep

nice dp by Aram/Scales/Lee

Neil...where are you sitting?...are you going towave a CCO flag? lol

Sorry Suzy, when all of the people finally packed in the park I could not leave a comment ... only tweet.

I was eight rows behind the Cubs dugout on the aisle.

Hi-O Silva away!!!

Looks like he's not hurt though. maybe he'll improve.

silva sucks

but what a catch by soriano???!!!

Silva basically Has to be on the team right? Haha

Guess we need someone to pitch long relief in games when we are down early, just to bad a younger/better pitcher doesnt get the chance to make the team that could help much more then Silva. Then again, Silva might only pitch once a week, we had to deal with Milton basically everyday...

Silva didn't take long to give it up....

Doesn't appear anything has changed.

3 runs/4 hits.

Diamond and Dolis among group of pitchers in uniform today. Starlin Castro is warming up like he is going to play today

That's interesting about Diamond and Dolis...they weren't supposed to g0o until tomorrow...weren't they?

I guess the pen is wide open now.

i hope they both make it and i hope i can see Castro today

Guzman has a torn ligament in his right shoulder. Cubs have shut him down. Surgery could be career threatening.

That's really horrible news for both Guzman AND the Cubs....as Hendry said...

"At one time, he was as good a prospect as Zambrano."

I hope something good in his life opens some doors...he's certainly had his share of adversity.

damn it. Kid can't catch freaking break. This really sucks...

for real?.. that sucks

Neil,

What do you think happens to Colvin if he really impresses this spring? I know he would have to be behind X and Fuld for OF bench spots. Do you think there is a chance he becomes trade bait if we lose Guzman for a significant period of time? Is a bullpen arm worth trading him?

I just don't see anybody else as really attractive (or available from our system - Castro/Vitters/Jackson, etc are untouchables - he is still on this list?).

Colvin is really hitting the ball. His BP on Thursday was the best I saw other than Xavier Nady. He is squaring off on the ball, he has not had one cheap hit or Arizona hit.

Piniella has been impressed as well. I think if he continues he could push Fuld for a spot. Colvin can play all three outfield spots.

I do not think they will trade him.

Nady is expected to DH on Sunday against the Dodgers.

No word on Guzman's MRI yet.

when will Starlin Castro get in???

Grant, Castro started yesterday and played a majority of the game.

I have not heard about him playing today.

dang i hope he does, do you think it could be because they dont want to have more presure to bring him up early? by havnig him on National tv and doing good it could cause a lot of people wanting hmi now

Grant, they have said he will start the year at Triple-A unless there is an injury in the middle infield.

What I have seen of Castro in the first two games (very limited action) has been good.

He is smooth at short, very good arm and quick. At the plate, good power to right and right center. The triple he hit on Thursday was almost in the same place as his ground rule double on Friday ... 10' to the left. Excellent speed on the bases.

i know they said he will start there and he should be there for the season.. i was just saying because of corey patterson ect ect ect being rushed and the fans wanting them ASAP

What if Marmol were to get hurt? We don't have any answers in the pen.

what if what if what if...

Today's Lineup:

Theriot - SS

Fukudome - RF

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Byrd - CF

Soriano - LF

Hoffpauir - DH

Soto - C

Scales - 2B

No Xavier Nady today.