Updated - 11:40am CST - Game in Glendale vs. White Sox Cancelled Due to Rain
Updated - 1:50pm CST - Game in Mesa vs. Dodgers Cancelled Due to Rain
Spring Training Game Four: Cubs (ss) (2-1) vs. White Sox (2-1-1)
Game Time - 2:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: None
Location - Camelback Ranch, Glendale
Jeff Samardzija (0-0, -.--/-.--) vs. Jake Peavy (0-0, -.--/-.--)
Spring Training Game Five: Cubs (ss) (2-1) vs. Dodgers (1-1-1)
Game Time - 2:05pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: None - Radio: None
Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Tom Gorzelanny (0-0, -.--/-.--) vs. Clayton Kershaw (0-0, -.--/-.--)
Weather permitting, Sunday is the first of five split squad days for the Cubs this spring (March 12 against the Brewers and White Sox in Las Vegas; March 13 against the Reds and White Sox in Las Vegas; March 20 against the A's and Royals; March 31 against the Angels and Mariners).
Half of Lou Piniella's crew will stay in Mesa while the other half will travel to face the White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale.
News from Mesa
Andres Blanco suffered a Grade 2 strain on his right knee on Saturday when his spikes got caught in the dirt on a play at second base in the sixth inning. Blanco will be out 10-14 days.
With Blanco out, Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro are expected to see more playing time at shortstop.
Xavier Nady was expected to serve as the Cubs' designated hitter on Sunday. But the Cubs have held him back ... Lou Piniella said he is not concerned.
Cubs vs. White Sox at Camelback Ranch
The Cubs are expected to see Jake Peavy make his spring debut for the White Sox. But if the rains come in as predicted and the game is delayed, Peavy could throw a simulated game instead to stay on schedule.
Jeff Samardzija had a good winter and reportedly the Cubs are very happy with the way he reported to camp. It is time for 'The Shark' to take the next step in his development and a good start to the spring would be a positive first step.
J.R. Mathes, John Gaub, Jeff Stevens and Blake Parker are on the pitching schedule for the split squad game against the Sox. Mitch Atkins was on the schedule as well, but with Atkins pitching on Saturday, he will not be available this afternoon.
Cubs vs. Dodgers at HoHoKam Park
Tom Gorzelanny is slated to make his first appearance of the spring. Reportedly, Gorzelanny is the favorite to land one of the final two spots in the Cubs' rotation. Lou Piniella wants at least one lefty in his rotation while Ted Lilly is on the DL.
Thomas Diamond, Mike Parisi and Esmailin Caridad are on the schedule for Mesa this afternoon ... along with two call-ups from minor league camp, Jay Jackson and Brian Schlitter.
With all of the injuries and uncertainty surrounding the Cubs' pitching staff, today would be a good time to see Thomas Diamond step up and put his name in the mix.
Let' Talk Cubs Baseball ...
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Today's lineups:
In Mesa
Castro - SS
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Colvin - CF
Soriano - LF
Soto - DH
Hill - C
Fontenot - 2B
In Glendale:
Theriot - SS
Baker - 2B
Tracy - 3B
Millar - 1B
Hoffpauir - DH
Byrd - CF
Snyder - LF
Castillo - C
Jackson - RF
It's interesting that Fontenot hasn't played any shortstop. With what Lou said awhile back! I know they have only played 3 games. But I thought he would come in late in games and get an oppurtunity to show he can play the position. With Blanco missing time I'd be really surprised if he makes the team. I love Blanco's defense, speed and versatility, but he is kind of a fragile guy and hasn't hit particularly well. Fontenot is uninspiring too. I also have hardly seen or heard about Darwin Barney.
Patrick, Fontenot getting hurt probably shifted their plans a little.
As for Barney, offensively he is a lot like Theriot. Defensively he has a shortstop's arm.
Yeah I've read that about Barney, he a light-hittng guy with solid Defense and a good Arm. Your probably right about the Fontenot situation too. In my opinion I see one of a few situations happening. I don't think that Blanco, Fontenot and Fuld will all make the team. I think Colvin and Snyder have a legitamate shot to take Fuld's role. Don't get me wrong, I love Sam Fuld. Depending on how Fontenot does at shortstop and at the plate. I could see him getting traded or cut. Blanco is awesome defensively and has speed is a switch-hitter, and we need a backup at SS, But Lou has already said if Theriot is injured then Castro will have the job and they will just let him play. So if Fontenot,Barney, or even Scales has a great spring, I could see Blanco cut or traded(also he is out of options). I know fontenot and Scales are not Shortstops but I think in a jam or once every other week they could be adequate atleast. Scales is a wildcard, I think his versatility, speed, defense,switch-hitting, and small sample size last year but he hit well as a pinch-hitter, make him valuable. (I know he is older but he could be a great stop-gap) guy as far as a backup goes. If Chad Tracy has a decent spring I think he is a shoe in. He's left-handed hits for power. Good numbers as a pinch-hitter, and he plays first and third, and Lou likes veterans off the bench. I think LaHair and Hoffpauir both have little to no chance at making the team, especially if Chad Tracy does. Neither one is very versatile, and I think that will be their downfall with better defensive/left-handed options who also hit for power in Tracy, Colvin, and Snyder.
I know they plan on sending Castro down to AAA, But I still think there is a small chance he breaks camp with the club as well.
Patrick...Lou said this am Castro will start in AAA. Barring a Theriot injury...that's where Isee him starting out....and the other day, specifically mentioned that Castro has never played in cold weather...(missing the Midwest League.
After May 15th (which would delay mlb service time by a year)...look for Castro anytime then.
May 15th, Very interesting! He could qualify for Super two status still! That would certainly be awesome! Hope he pans out, I think he will.
Patrick, I like what I have seen from Darwin Barney in the past. If you call Theriot a "weak hitter" then Barney would fall under that category. The two are very similar.
Barney has about the same range as Theriot, again from what I have seen of him ... not what I have read. Barney's arm is a little better than Theriot's which is a plus.
I would label Barney as slightly-above average shortstop.
Castro and several of the young Cubs impressed me this weekend.
Castro has a plus arm and plus speed as you have read. There were a couple of balls I thought he would get to on Friday that he didn't. He seems smooth and not rushed in the field.
For instance, on the error by Matt Camp on Friday. The ball bounced to Castro, he picked it up and decided to eat it. It would have been a close play but not worth the risk. I was surprised he did not throw the ball and was happy to see him put it in his pocket. It was the right play.
How many times have we all seen ballplayers trying to make something out of nothing? While he has the arm to make that play, he decided against it ... smart.
It is the right move to start him at Triple-A unless there is an injury and he will play everyday with the big league team. They can't take him North just to have him sit.
Great point, Neil. A middle infielder must make shifts and signal to more defensive teammates. He's naturally in a position to lead. I'll rather have smartness than on-base% for a developing Castro.
What happened to Fontenot?
Along the same lines, Neil, have you seen Castro working both sides of second base at all? I saw him taking grounders at 2B one day at Fitch. Also, I wonder if Theriot will get any time at 2B? He should, but they may not want to show that...a firestorm of speculation would ensue.
Fontenot hurt his shoulder sliding headfirst into third the other day.
But they say it is minor.
Fontenot made a very ugly slide into third on Thursday. The injury set him back, he was supposed to play today.
I have not seen Castro at second, just short. He is impressive, excellent arm, smooth.
I agree on Theriot, as soon as he slides over the speculation will begin.
Barney is excellent defensively with another light bat...very similar to Blanco....only younger...and with options.
I still think Blanco will hit better this season wherever he is...somewhere
@.270-.275. That's about 20 points above his historical average...but in line with what he's been doing since last September. In winter ball...after hovering @ .300 most of the season he finished at .291 with little power.
The difference between Barney and Blanco
is Barney's bat is less developed than
Blanco's...if that is possible.
The Cub's really will have to decide at
some point this season between Blanco
and Barney.
Fuld and Adduci also have essentially the same skill set on the 40 man roster.
Game in Glendale was just cancelled due to rain. Mesa is still on
Would they switch the game from Glendale to Mesa that was on TV so I can see a game today?
I know that wont happen but I wish it does, I want to see Castro.
I'm back for another whole year of baseball and the Cubs winning the WS. Go Cubs!!!!!!!!!
are they switching games?!
I would think not but it would be awesome.
Guzman is still an impressive young guy...checkout his comments in this article:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2088760,guzman-cubs-surgery-shoulder-recover-030710.article
Thanks for posting that Suzy, I think with what he said he demonstrates a lot of class. I hope the best for him. Very good read!
Ramirez wants a World Series:
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2087163,CST-SPT-cub07.article
Game against LA cancelled also :(
hope your hotel has a good bar, Neil.
double rainout in the desert...man, that is just weird
Thanks, and I think it does.
Hung around the park for a while and talked to a few people. Never experienced a rain out here ...
Since there's no baseball today...thought you might enjoy some
of Tim Sauer's artwork and antidote's
from Cubby Blue.com.:
http://www.cubby-blue.com/
Neil, How long are you there for?
Suzy, I leave in the morning.
Beil, in that case,I feel really bad for you...I know there were several other guys you wanted to see.
Too bad it didn't holdoff one more day.
But 3 out of 4 isn't bad....Habe a safe trip.
Rainouts:
Arizona: 1
Florida: 0
And everyone talks about rainouts in Florida. Was at Yanks vs. Twins at Fort Myers today Sunny and 72.
Chuck, I thought we would hear from you. A lot of people are upset here about the "Cubs Tax". All over the news.
Neil:
Another good reason for the Cubs to train in Florida.
Uncle Julios is out there.
By the way, can someone tell me what's the deal with the whole "Cubs tax" thing? Had White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said anything? I didn't read that...
And it's still just a proposal to the State of Arizona, yeah?
Dorsaga...check out Cubs1967 post on the next thread.
Dorasaga, here is a link. I will say this, it is a hot topic in Arizona.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0215-haugh-chicago--20100214,0,61981.column