The Cubs 2011 exhibition season has hit the home stretch. Opening Day at Wrigley is two weeks from Friday and Q’s crew still has work to do … and decisions to make.
Jim Hendry and company are expected to announce the second round of roster cuts following Tuesday’s split squad games against the Rockies and A’s … the Spring Training roster currently stands at 58 players after Esmailin Caridad and John Gaub were optioned to Triple-A Iowa last Friday. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 39 players.
A report from the Tribune shot down the Cubs rumored interest in Michael Young. Young’s contract appears to be too much for the Cubs according to the Trib, plus the Matt Garza trade thinned out the Cubs’ system.
The injury bug has hit Camp ‘Q’. Here is the update on several players, including John Grabow and Brad Snyder, plus more on who’s on second … The Injury Bug
Several players trying to make the Cubs Opening Day roster have been sidelined in recent days.
Augie Ojeda has been dealing with back issues. Ojeda played against the Sox last Friday but was lifted after playing just an inning. Quade said, “It’s a day-to-day thing hopefully.” The Tribune reported Ojeda saw a chiropractor about his back spasms.
Todd Wellemeyer has a strained right hip but is not expected to miss any time.
Brad Snyder is dealing with an oblique strain and has not practiced for a week. The Cubs are not sure when Snyder will return … there is no timetable set on when Snyder will be able to swing a bat.
John Grabow has been dealing with a sore left shoulder. Grabow has been limited to just one Cactus League game, the opener on February 27. Grabow completed a successful side session Monday and is expected to pitch Thursday … if he doesn’t have any setbacks.
Brett Jackson bruised his left shoulder diving for a ball Sunday in Las Vegas. Jackson is listed as day-to-day but could serve as the team’s DH in one of Tuesday’s split squad games.
Who’s on Second?
According to a report from the Tribune, Mike Quade seems content with the duo of Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker at second base. The Cubs would like to see more out of DeWitt, both at the plate and in the field. DeWitt has a minor league option left but the Cubs do not have many left-handed options to platoon with Jeff Baker.
Augie Ojeda and Bobby Scales hit from both sides of the plate and Scott Moore is a lefty. According to the Tribune, all three are unlikely to make the team out of camp.
If DeWitt cannot turn things around, the Cubs might have to go outside of the organization “to find someone to share time with Baker.”
Matt Camp
Carrie Muskat mentioned Matt Camp in one of her reports Monday. Camp has opened eyes this spring and Mike Quade mentioned recently that Camp is always in the middle of things. Camp has played four different positions (shortstop, third base, left field and second base) while hitting .353/.421/.353/.774 (6-for-17, all singles) with two walks and three strikeouts.
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Well, there’s the update … and I’m sticking to it.
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