The Return of Ted Lilly ... and Other Cubs Notes

Ted Lilly returned from the birth of his first child, Theodore Roosevelt Lilly IV, and threw to hitters on Thursday. Lilly threw two sets of 20 pitches. The Cubs will decide the next step for Lilly after they find out how he feels on Friday.

According to a report from ESPN Chicago, the plan for Ted Lilly is to "throw to hitters again in a few day" and "follow that with a simulated game." If all goes as planned, Lilly is expected to make one Cactus League start before camp ends. After that, Lilly would make three minor league starts before rejoining the Cubs.

Angel Guzman decided to have surgery on his right shoulder. Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery on Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. Guzman will try to rehab the shoulder after surgery. According to a report from ESPN Chicago, an MRI last Friday revealed a tear in his shoulder that is related to "an injury that caused the Cubs to shut him down with two weeks left in the 2009 season."

Dr. Andrews performed Guzman's other two surgeries ... a torn labrum in 2003 and Tommy John in 2007. Guzman is out indefinitely.

Here are the notes from Arizona, including updates on the bullpen and Aramis Ramirez ...

Notes from Mesa

Aramis Ramirez was scratched from Thursday's lineup with continued soreness in his right triceps. Ramirez stayed in Mesa and took batting practice. Ramirez is expected back in the lineup on Friday ... but if he's not able to play in the next couple of day, the Cubs will send Ramirez to minor league camp to get his at bats.

Sean Marshall threw a five-inning simulated game on on a backfield Thursday at HoHoKam.

Jeff Samardzija got his work in on Wednesday during a minor league intrasquad game at Fitch Park.

According to a report from Bruce Levine, "Esmailin Caridad and Justin Berg are the leaders for a setup role and sixth- or seventh-inning pitcher."

The Cubs and Dodgers set a single-game Cactus League attendance record on Thursday. 13,391 fans filed through the gates at Camelback Ranch ... the record might fall on Friday when the Cubs face the Sox. The Cubs have been involved in nine of the ten largest crowds in Cactus League history.

According to a report from Cubs.com, Jeff Gray threw "three batting practice innings" on Thursday. The next step for Gray, who has been sidelined by a strained groin, is a simulated game. Gray will likely begin the year on the DL or in the minors. He is "running out of time to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster" according to a report on Cubs.com. Gray has one minor league option left.

Well, there is the update from Mesa ... and I'm sticking to it!

Follow the CCO on Twitter ...

The CCO on Twitter ... The CCO has received several direct messages on Twitter. Please follow the CCO on Twitter so I can respond to you directly.

Make sure to check the CCO's twitter feed during the day. With Spring Training underway, news and notes will pop up that are worthy of a mention but not front page news. The CCO will tweet what we hear, of course from reliable sources.

If you don't have an account on the CCO ... sign-up for one to share your thoughts and interact with the rest of the Faithful.

John_CC

The issue with Aramis is more than unsettling. It should end the conversation/debate on Millar vs. Tracy for the last bench spot.

The tricept connects to the shoulder and i would guess the issue he is having is related to the previous injury...which the Cubs should have dealt with LAST AUGUST. Hackman: i don't question Aramis's effort or will to play, that's BS, man. He damaged his shoulder and then played thru it late last season - thru a lot of pain no doubt - after it was clear to everyone that the Cubs' season was over. He should have been shut down and examined and probably had surgery. Without Aramis fully healthy this team is completely hopeless.

cloycub13

You just have to feel for a guy like Guzman. He is been through way too much. The one positive for him is in his conversation with Dr. Andrews he asked if he could ever pitch again and the doc said "Yes". I cannot imagine the twangs in an athlete's gut having to ask that question knowing full well that the answer could very well be "NO" at any time.

I am digging the post that had Baker being released/moved/not making the cut. That's outside the box and quite frankly the pieces of the puzzle fit much better in that scenario. We just have to endure Blanco/Fontenot til June.

In that same regard Tracy MUST make this team. It has been well documented that his ability to bat lefty, come off the bench and actually hit, veteran presence, 1B, 3B, not to mention the very real fear that he would be scooped up by one of our closest competitors makes this a no brainer (Scary when I say no brainer, because Hendry usually goes the other direction).

Aaron mentioned that he feels Snyder needs regular AB's, I think the consensus is that Colvin does as well. I am rooting for one of the two to be the backup OF'er, it seems hard to believe that one of the two would not. Does it benefit the team more to have Fuld up now as he is more accustomed to the role of bench player? I do not think so as he has not hit. Personally I think with Snyder's age, lefty bat, OF defense and above average speed... he should be the backup. Colvin should be in AAA and the first to be called up with slump/injury.

The madness of March! Gotta love it!

Go Cubs!

PaulS

Cloy agree that Tracy must be kept. I think one of the biggest downfalls for the Cubs last year was not having a legitiment backup for Aram and he would provide that in addition to the things you mentioned. I think Arams shoulder is a ticking time bomb.

Maybe they can move Baker for a RHRP. The O's are looking for a 2b and we know JH and AM like to deal with each other. I like Baker and kind of like his bat, but, the Cubs strength is middle INF.

John_CC

The Cubs strength is middle infield?? Really? I hope you are refering to the future.

Because if Theriot, Baker, Fontenot is our strength, i'm scared.

hackman23

Do you think Aramis really gets hurt or can he just not handle any pain? I find it hard to believe he can be hurt all of the time with the little bit of effort he puts out there. He is our best player but he does not hustle or go all out hardly ever. If he is on the DL for an extended period of time again the Cubs season will be another disapointment.

woody34

1 question. Why didn't the Cubs have Guzman's arm checked out like they recently did at the end of the year last year? He could of had the surgery months ago and be half way back to recovery by now.

Tony_Hall

Another question would be, Why didn't Guzman have it checked out? He has had 2 past surgeries, I'm sure knows his arm (money-maker) and how it feels better than anyone else.

It isn't always someone else's fault.

With that said, I still hope and pray that Angel will get healthy again, for his sake. He has all the talent in the world and has had to go through more than anyone should recently.

ripsnorter

Woody,

What? You expect JHendry to think ahead?

Come on, man! You are really asking too much!

JHendry's lack of forward thinking is hurting us.