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Kevin Millar ... On the Field

2010-03-18T06:00:00Z

Kevin Millar does everything off the field the Chicago Cubs need in the clubhouse. He keeps his teammates loose. He entertains them when the team bus breaks down and reminds them baseball is just a game. Millar has lived up to his reputation in his short time with the Cubs. He has said and done everything the Cubs expected off the field.

Millar has outperformed expectations on the field this spring. He has listened to Rudy Jaramillo and has hit the ball. After nine games and 15 at bats, Millar is hitting .333/.545/.600 with seven walks, a double, a home run and three RBI.

Several of the veterans are "rooting" for Kevin Millar to make the team and the feeling is Millar could break camp on the Cubs roster. But when the games actually count, can Kevin Millar help the Cubs win games?

]]> Seemingly everyday there is a new report from the mainstream media on Kevin Millar. The latest from the Tribune labeled Millar as the designated goofball. But in the role the Cubs need to fill, Millar's career numbers prove he is not the right player, on the field, for the Chicago Cubs.

In his career, Kevin Millar has hit right-handed pitchers and lefties about the same for average but not for power.

vs. RHP - .274/.357/.459/.816 in 3336 career at bats with 213 doubles, 13 triples and 126 home runs
vs. LHP - .273/.361/.435/.796 in 1532 career at bat with 83 doubles, 2 triples and 44 home runs

(Link to Millar's Baseball-Reference full career platoon splits)

So in half as many at bats, his power numbers against southpaws, which Lou Piniella would use him late in games or to give his regulars a day off, likely would not benefit the Cubs as the team's 25th man.

Kevin Millar is used to being an everyday player. His career numbers as a player coming off the bench and as a pinch hitter back up that statement.

Off the Bench (substitute) - .217/.316/.336/.652 in 167 games (152 at bats) with 19 walks, seven doubles, a triple and three home runs

(Link to Millar's Baseball-Reference starter or substitute splits)

Pinch-Hitting - .198/.309/.294/.602 in 149 games (126 at bats) with 18 walks, six doubles, no triples and two home runs

(Link to Millar's Baseball-Reference defensive positions splits)

Kevin Millar hit better against lefties last season in Toronto, when he started at first base. As the team's DH, Millar hit just .129/.247/.243/.490 in 22 games (70 at bats).

(Link to Millar's Baseball-Reference 2009 splits)

Kevin Millar might be the right man for the Cubs in the clubhouse ... unless Major League Baseball allows the Cubs to add a 26th man to their active roster, his career numbers show he probably will not them win many baseball games.

Cubs Down on the Farm Report - 03/17/09

2010-03-17T05:12:00Z

For those of us that enjoy keeping tabs on the minor league system, the 2010 Cubs Spring Training season has been a fun one. We've finally starting to see some progress with developing homegrown talent in the Cubs' organization. With a mostly veteran starting eight at the big league level, it's important to know that there are some young guys on the way.

Let's jump right into the first "Down on the Farm" report of 2010.

]]> Guys Getting a Taste
The Cubs have a number of farm hands that have been given a shot this year in big league Spring Training. There were five former first round picks in camp. Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters have already been assigned to minor league camp.

Brett Jackson, an outfielder, was the Cubs top pick last June. Last season he hit well at three different Class-A stops: Mesa, Boise, and Peoria. This spring he showed patience at the plate drawing four bases on balls. Outside of the walks, Jackson went 1-for-3 with an RBI triple.

Josh Vitters, who the Cubs drafted with their third overall selection in 2007, went 4-for-9 with four RBI and four runs scored before being sent back to Fitch Park. Two guys that survived the first round of roster cuts are outfielder Tyler Colvin and pitcher Andrew Cashner.

Since being drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the 2006 draft, it's been a long road for Colvin. He underwent Tommy John surgery in October of 2008, but bounced back quickly last season. After hitting .300 under Ryne Sandberg with Double-A Tennessee, Colvin earned a September call-up. He struggled at the plate but made several great defensive plays in his six-game cup of coffee. This offseason, Colvin bulked up, putting on 20+ pounds of muscle. He has opened a lot of eyes by hitting .533 with six RBI so far in 11 Cactus League games.

Andrew Cashner has surrendered one earned run in his five innings of work this spring. The fifth former first round draft pick in camp is Brad Snyder, a left-handed hitting outfielder who the Indians selected in 2003.

Snyder tore it up in winter ball, hitting .379 in 211 trips to the plate. He launched nine homers and drove in 48 runs. Brad is hitting .417 in Spring Training. Snyder and Colvin are fighting for a spot on the roster with Sam Fuld.

Everyone's heard about top prospect Starlin Castro, and for good reason. Castro has lived up to the hype this spring, but Lou Piniella and the Cubs have decided that he will be better off starting the year at the minor league level. Don't be surprised if Castro is the starting short stop at some point this season. Castro's hitting .435 in ten spring games.

There are a number of young pitchers in camp fighting for spots in the bullpen as well. John Gaub, Mitch Atkins (optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday), Justin Berg, Mike Parisi, Blake Parker, Jeff Stevens, J.R. Mathes, Thomas Diamond, James Russell, and Casey Coleman are all in the mix. Those that do not win spots in the bullpen will likely factor in to the AAA Iowa Cubs pitching staff (apart from Parisi who was a Rule 5 pick).

Minor League Camp
Reporting early was a theme throughout the Cubs organization this year. We heard all about how many of the big league guys reported to camp a week or two early, and it was the same case with the young Cubs, who were working in Mesa long before the pitchers and catchers report date of March 4 and the mandatory report date for all minor league players of March 9.

Since the Cubs were still holding their workouts at Fitch Park, the farmhands' early practice took place down the street at HoHoKam. Minor League practices were led by former Cubs catcher Jody Davis, who will manage the Class-A Short Season affiliate Boise Hawks this season. Now that the Cactus League games have started, minor league practices are taking place at Fitch Park. Minor League Spring Training games get underway later this week.

Vegas Weekend Call-ups
With the split squad games in Las Vegas and Arizona last Friday and Saturday, some minor leaguers got the chance to play in a few spring games with the Cubs because they needed some extra guys to come off the bench.

On Friday afternoon Junior Lake, Nelson Perez, Brandon Guyer, and Smaily Borgues all went 0-for-1 against the Brewers.

Second baseman Logan Watkins singled on Friday, which earned him another at bat on Saturday. He struck out in Saturday's game against the Reds. Logan was drafted in the 21st round of the 2008 draft and hit .326 with the Boise Hawks last season.

Ty Wright took advantage of his chance to play at HoHoKam Park with an RBI single on Saturday.

D.J. LeMahieu, the Cubs second round pick out of LSU last June, spent some time playing shortstop in the two games against the White Sox in Las Vegas. He singled once in each game. Kyler Burke, who was the Cubs' minor league player of the year in 2009, went 1-for-1 on Friday and 0-for-2 with an RBI on Saturday. Burke came over from San Diego in the Michael Barrett trade in 2007.

Ryan Flaherty also saw action at Cashman Field. As far as pitchers are concerned, Jeremy Papelbon, brother of Jonathan, retired one of the two Brewers he faced on Friday while Jay Jackson struggled against the White Sox.

Minor League Free Agents That Did Not Resign with the Cubs

Doug Deeds - OF
Matt Craig - 1B
Casey Fossum - LHP
John-Ford Griffin - OF
Jose Pina - RHP
Luis Rivas - 2B
Nate Spears - 2B

Minor League Opening Days
Ryne Sandberg's Iowa Cubs play an exhibition against the Iowa Hawkeyes on April 7, a day before their season opener. Here is the list of Cubs' minor league teams opening day games with last year's record in parentheses. All games are on April 8.

Triple-A Iowa Cubs (72-72): vs Nashville
Double-A Tennessee Smokies (39-31): @ Mississippi
Class-A Daytona Cubs (30-38): @ Brevard County
Class-A Peoria Chiefs (29-38): @ Clinton

Low-A Boise and Mesa Rookie Ball do not start their seasons until June. Prior to that point, many of those players will be playing in extended spring training games at Fitch Park.

More on Me
I am thrilled to have the chance to cover the minor league system for the CCO this season! I'm a long time reader and big fan of the site. I've been blogging on the Chicago Cubs since 2008 over at www.everythingcubs.blogspot.com, so I invite everyone to check it out. Also, I update the Cubs Farm Updates Twitter daily during the regular season and from time to time during the winter.

Follow me there at www.twitter.com/cubsfarmupdates
Questions/Comments: cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.

X-Cellent - Cubs 4 Rangers 1

2010-03-17T00:52:57Z

Game - Cubs 4 Rangers 1
WP - Carlos Silva (2-1) LP - Neftali Feliz (0-1) Save - James Russell (1)

In front of the largest crowd of the spring at HoHoKam Park (13,157), the Cubs made quick order of the Texas Rangers in two hours and eight minutes on Tuesday afternoon. The Cubs pitching staff limited a Rangers' lineup of mostly backup players and minor leaguers to one run on three hits.

Carlos Silva tossed four innings of shutout ball. He retired the last seven batters he faced ... and 10 of the last 11. Silva surrendered only two hits, hit a batter but did not issue a free pass. Esmailin Caridad did not allow a hit in his two innings of work. Caridad walked a batter but faced the minimum when Geovany Soto threw out Joaquin Arias attempting to steal second to end the fifth inning.

The Rangers lone run came in the eighth inning. Justin Smoak launched a solo home run over the right field wall off of Marcos Mateo. Mateo struck out three in his 1 1/3 innings of work.

James Russell stuck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth for the save.

Xavier Nady had a very good day at the ballpark. Nady hit a pair of doubles (left and right center), drove in two of the Cubs four runs and scored another in four trips to the plate. Nady delivered a two-out, two run double in the third inning that plated Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome. Nady then scored the Cubs' third run on a two-out single by Marlon Byrd.

Jeff Baker hit his first longball of the spring in the seventh for the Cubs final run.

Ryan Theriot (2-for-3 with a run scored) and Tyler Colvin (1-for-1) continued their hot springs.

With the win, the Cubs improved to 9-5 in the Cactus League ...

]]> Mike Fontenot made a diving catch on a ball hit by Elvis Andrus in the first inning that helped Carlos Silva work around a bloop single and a hit batsman. After the first, Silva allowed only one hit. He threw strikes and kept the ball down for the most part.

While it is just spring training and the Rangers did not have their big bats in the lineup on Tuesday, Carlos Silva showed improvement in his third start.

The Cubs did very little against Neftali Feliz in the first 2 2/3 innings of the game. Geovany Soto began the third by fouling out to Chris Davis at first ... and Chad Tracy flied out to center. Ryan Theriot reached on a bloop single with two outs that started the three-run rally.

Kosuke Fukudome followed Theriot with a double down the third base line. Xavier Nady then stepped in and showed why the Cubs signed him. Nady ripped a 1-2 pitch from Feliz into left. Nady's first double plated Theriot and Fukudome.

Marlon Byrd worked the count to 3-2 before driving in Nady with the Cubs' third run.

Other than Jeff Baker's home run, C.J. Wilson handled the Cubs' offense pretty well. Wilson struck out five in his four innings of work. The Cubs had a chance to tack on in the eighth but failed to take advantage of runners on second and third with no outs.

Tyler Colvin singled to center on a 3-2 pitch from the southpaw Wilson. Xavier Nady then hit his second double, a ground rule shot into right center. James Adduci grounded out to third, Micah Hoffpauir grounded out to second and Sam Fuld grounded out to second to end the inning. Colvin and Nady were stranded ...

The Cubs got their work in on Tuesday ... and received much-needed performances from several players that figure into their plans for the upcoming season.

Box Score from MLB.com

A majority of the team will take Wednesday off, the teams only scheduled off day of the spring. Jeff Samardzija will pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday.

Ryan Dempster is scheduled to face the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Thursday.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Rangers - 03/16/10

2010-03-16T17:27:00Z

Spring Training Game Fourteen: Cubs (8-5) vs. Rangers (4-7)
Game Time - 3:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: None - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa

Carlos Silva (1-1, 10.80/2.40) vs. Neftali Feliz (0-0, 13.50/1.00)

Updated 12:00pm CDT - The Cubs optioned Rafael Dolis to Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday. Cubs Spring Roster Reduced to 50 players ...

After a very long beginning to the week, the Cubs return home to HoHoKam Park this afternoon to face Rudy Jaramillo's old team, the Texas Rangers. Lou Piniella will begin the game with Carlos Silva ... today should be a good test of how much improvement Silva has actually made since his start against the White Sox.

The Cubs, without Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, will see Neftali Feliz and C.J. Wilson for eight of the nine innings ... both pitchers are penciled in for four-inning outings this afternoon.

]]> Carlos Silva has pitched as expected in his first two starts ... six runs, all earned, on 11 hits with a walk, two strikeouts and two home runs. Silva pitched three scoreless in his last outing but was hit extremely hard. Reportedly the Cubs feel Silva has made a lot of progress. This afternoon will be Silva's third start in the Cactus League ... and reportedly he is still in the mix for one of the final two spots in the Cubs' rotation.

Neftali Feliz will make his first start, third appearance of the spring. Feliz is fighting for a job in the Rangers' starting rotation. In his first two Cactus League outings, Feliz has given up a total of six runs, all earned, on six hits in four innings with four strikeouts, two walks ... and he has hit two batters. Feliz, like Carlos Silva, is expected to throw four innings this afternoon.

Feliz and C.J. Wilson are battling each other for the last open spot in the Rangers' rotation.

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ...

Theriot in the Lead ... and Other Cubs Notes from Arizona

2010-03-16T05:05:00Z

The biggest news out of Cubs camp on Monday, other than Kevin Millar's comedy act, was Lou Piniella announcing Ryan Theriot would be the Cubs leadoff man ... at least when the season starts. Piniella said he is 80 percent sure Theriot will hit at the top of his lineup with Kosuke Fukudome hitting in the two-hole.

As for the rest of the Cubs lineup ... Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, Alfonso Soriano, Mike Fontenot/Jeff Baker and Geovany Soto will round out the first eight spots in the Cubs lineup.

Mike Fontenot is leading the battle for the Cubs' starting second baseman's job. Piniella would like to begin the season with a left-handed hitter in the second and seventh spots in his lineup against right-handed pitchers.

According to a report from the Sun-Times, the Cubs plan to make a smaller amount of roster cuts by Tuesday. Here's the rest ...

]]> Notes from Mesa

Jeff Samardzija will pitch in minor league camp on Wednesday to keep on schedule. The Cubs have St. Patrick's Day off ... their only day off in the Cactus League.

According to a report from Bruce Levine, Jeff Gray should face live hitters by the end of the week.

Jeff Baker and Kevin Millar will receive playing time in left field "over the next few weeks" according to a report from ESPN Chicago.

According to a report from Bruce Levine (on Waddle & Silvy, ESPN 1000), if the season began today, Tyler Colvin would make the team. The Cubs are pleased with the way he has hit the ball ... as well as in the field.

Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will not return to the lineup until Thursday. The Cubs have a day off on Wednesday. The Cubs begin the second half of their Cactus League schedule against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Thursday afternoon.

According to a report from the Sun-Times, Andres Blanco is expected to return by the weekend.

Ted Lilly is expected to face hitters in live batting practice shortly after he returns to camp on Thursday. That is the final step before Lilly would pitch in a Spring Training game.

Rudy Jaramillo on Hitting

Keith Law on Jeff Samardzija

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

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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.

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A Long, Ztrange Trip - Cubs 2 Rockies 5

2010-03-16T01:19:23Z

Game Thirteen - Cubs 2 Rockies 5
WP - Jhoulys Chacin (1-0) LP - Mike Parisi (1-1, BS 1) Save - Franklin Morales (1)

Lou Piniella's crew made their final trip to Hi Corbett Field on Monday ... and the trip took a little longer than expected. The Cubs bus broke down less than an hour outside of Mesa, a clamp came off the radiator line. A majority of the team was an hour late to the park and they were unable to take batting practice due to the delay.

Kevin Millar reportedly entertained the team.

Once the Cubs got to the park, a starting lineup stocked with backup players, Ryan Theriot and Carlos Zambrano were beaten by the Rockies.

Carlos Zambrano was happy with the way he threw the ball. He kept the ball down, allowed one run on five hits, four doubles, in four innings of work. Big Z is hopeful he can pitch the way he did on Monday throughout the season. Zambrano threw 43 pitches, 28 for strikes ... and recorded seven groundball outs to just two fly ball outs.

Zambrano also drove in one of the Cubs' two runs with a double in the second off of Jeff Francis.

The Cubs sloppy play in the field continued on Monday. They committed three more errors (Mike Parisi, Sam Fuld, Starlin Castro) and gave the opposition another free run.

The Cubs slipped to 8-5 on the spring with Monday's loss ...

]]> Carlos Zambrano left after four innings, his longest outing of the spring, with a 2-1 lead. John Gaub pitched a scoreless fifth before being lifted for Mike Parisi.

John Gaub walked Jonathan Herrera to start the sixth, then struck out Jason Giambi swinging. Lou Piniella brought in Mike Parisi to face Troy Tulowitzki.

The Rockies' shortstop gave the Rockies the lead with a two-run homer to center. Parisi retired Brad Hawpe and Clint Barmes on groundouts to first and third to end the inning.

Parisi took the mound in the seventh. Two errors led to an unearned run. The Rockies tacked on two more to their three run lead.

Paul Lo Duca singled to start the seventh. Chris Frey ran for him and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jay Payton reached on an infield single. With runners on first and third with no outs, Eric Young, Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to center that plated Frey with the Rockies third run ... Payton advanced to second on a throwing error by Sam Fuld.

Payton stole third with Jordan Pacheco at the plate and scored on a ground out to Starlin Castro.

Mike Parisi allowed three runs, two earned, on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Parisi did not walk or strikeout a batter but uncorked a wild pitch ... and allowed an inherited run to score.

Tyler Colvin continued his hot spring ... Colvin was 2-for-4 with a RBI on Monday.

Box Score from MLB.com

Carlos Silva will make his third start of the spring on Tuesday at HoHoKam Park against Neftali Feliz and the Texas Rangers. Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will not play. Xavier Nady is expected to be the team's designated hitter.

Twelve Down ... Twenty-One to Go for the Chicago Cubs

2010-03-15T12:00:00Z

The Cubs are 8-4 after twelve Spring Training contests and have twenty-one exhibition games remaining on the schedule. So where do the Cubs stand after the first two weeks of Cactus League games?

The Cubs reduced their 60-man Spring Training roster to 51 players on Sunday. Mitch Atkins (Triple-A Iowa) and David Patton (Double-A Tennessee) were optioned to minor league camp. Seven other non-roster invitees were assigned to minor league camp ... Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, Vince Perkins, Matt Camp, Steve Clevenger, Blake Lalli and Jeff Kennard.

The Cubs have a lot of work to do before the games count again. With Opening Day in Atlanta three weeks from Monday, here is a look at where the Cubs stand at almost the halfway point of Spring Training ...

]]> The Pitching Staff

The biggest theme of Spring Training so far has been pitching, or lack of pitching. Injuries to Angel Guzman and Jeff Gray made an already questionable bullpen arguably the biggest concern for the Cubs as the season approaches.

After Carlos Marmol and John Grabow, the Cubs do not have a proven reliever in the pen. Esmailin Caridad threw the ball well at the end of last season and has pitched well this spring, but right now he is the Cubs' right-handed setup man.

The Cubs have depth from the right side with Justin Berg, Thomas Diamond, Blake Parker, Mike Parisi, Jeff Stevens and Rafael Dolis but none of them have taken advantage, yet, of the opportunity ... and separated themselves from the crowd.

John Gaub and James Russell have thrown the ball better than their right-handed competition. But unless Sean Marshall is in the rotation when the season begins, it is highly unlikely that Piniella will start the season with three southpaws in the pen.

While the performances of the bullpen over the first twelve games have done little to quiet the concern, the candidates for the backend of the rotation have not fared much better.

Carlos Silva has pitched as expected. The Cubs say they are seeing progress but he has been hit very hard in his two outings this spring. After a solid outing against the A's, Jeff Samardzija was the same old Samardzija against the Brewers. Samardzija reportedly made progress with his secondary pitches in winter ball but did not mix them in on Friday afternoon ... and Larry Rothschild did not sound too happy with his performance during an interview on ESPN 1000 Saturday morning.

Lou Piniella has stated he would like at least one southpaw in his rotation until Ted Lilly returns. After 12 exhibition games, the leaders to take the final two spots in the rotation appear to be lefties ... Tom Gorzelanny and Sean Marshall.

The Cubs are expected to announce around March 22 which two pitchers will join Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells in the starting rotation.

Spring Training stats are meaningless, and performances often are as well, but the Cubs are concerned about their pitching staff.

The Injury Bug

The Cubs have dealt with their share of injuries since beginning of camp. Most notably, Angel Guzman and Jeff Gray but losing Andres Blanco has impacted the team as well. Blanco might not hit the ball but he can catch anything hit in his vicinity. The speculation is that the Grade 2 sprain to his right knee could have hurt his chances to make the team.

Blanco's injury has opened a window for Darwin Barney ... and possibly Starlin Castro.

Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee are both dealing with nagging injuries ... the Cubs and the players have downplayed both. Aramis Ramirez left in the third inning of Saturday's game against the Reds with soreness in his right triceps. Ramirez is expected back in the lineup on Tuesday.

Derrek Lee fouled a ball of his foot against the Giants last Wednesday. X-rays showed there was not any damage. Lee was expected back in the lineup on Saturday but was scratched. The Cubs say he will return on Tuesday.

Ted Lilly is the other obvious injury in Cubs' camp. Reportedly, Lilly is progressing well and could face live hitters next week. Lilly also left camp for the birth of his first child.

Xavier Nady is making progress after his second Tommy John surgery. He has been in games and reportedly the Cubs are looking for him to play in the outfield and at first base during the last ten Spring Training games. If Nady can stay healthy, he will produce. X is already hitting the ball with authority.

Tyler Colvin

While most have focused on Starlin Castro this spring, Tyler Colvin has done nothing but show up and perform. Colvin wants to break camp with the big league team as the fifth outfielder.

The Cubs need a fifth outfielder to start the season that can play all three outfield spots to be used as a defensive replacement ... especially for Xavier Nady. Colvin could fill the role. He is a solid defender with a good arm and this spring he has shown he can hit the baseball.

Of all of the players this spring, Tyler Colvin has arguably been the most impressive. The only question is ... can Colvin hit once the games count?

The Vets

In order for the Cubs to exceed expectations this season (most have the Cubs finishing second in the Central behind the Cardinals), they will need several veterans to rebound, or bounce back, from poor performances a year ago.

Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez have gotten their work in, despite recent injuries. Lee and Ramirez have not hit too much, but both know how to prepare for the season.

Kosuke Fukudome has put together a good start to the exhibition season ... and the same can be said about Geovany Soto.

One of the biggest keys to the Cubs' season is Alfonso Soriano. He has struggled so far. The Cubs have to get him on track and Rudy Jaramillo has a lot of work to do with the Cubs' left fielder.

The Bench

The Cubs have two spots open on their bench. Koyie Hill, Xavier Nady and Jeff Baker/Mike Fontenot occupy three of the available five spots ... Fontenot is the leader right now in the competition for the starting second baseman's job.

A report in the Tribune on Sunday night indicated the Cubs would like to break camp with Chad Tracy and Kevin Millar on the roster. There is not enough room unless the Cubs' carry an 11-man pitching staff, which is not going to happen. Also, with Nady's injury they need a fifth outfielder to start the season.

Millar has hit but he gives the Cubs little to no flexibility. Tracy would give Piniella some much-needed pop from the left side off the bench.

Other than Tyler Colvin, no one has taken the proverbial lead in the clubhouse.

The candidates for the two spots on the Cubs' bench remain ... Micah Hoffpauir, Chad Tracy, Sam Fuld, Kevin Millar, Brad Snyder, James Adduci, Bryan LaHair and Tyler Colvin.

Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro has impressed all that have seen him play this spring ... from Lou Piniella to Bruce Levine to Dave Kaplan, the list goes on and on. Castro can play and has shown as much over the first 12 games of the spring.

It is "only Spring Training" and Castro appears destined to begin the year with Ryne Sandberg in Iowa. Reports have surfaced that Lou Piniella likes what he has seen that it is the Cubs' front office that wants Castro to begin the year in the minors.

If Castro continues to perform he will force the Cubs to make a difficult decision ... but that is a big if. Another sign the Cubs could be thinking of breaking camp with a 20-year old starting shortstop (Castro turns 20 on March 24) would be Ryan Theriot taking grounders, or spending any time, at second base. When (or if) Castro is sent to minor league camp, look for him to be among the last of the roster cuts.

Click Here for the Cubs Spring Training Stats

Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella have a few big decisions ahead of them ... but it is only March 15 and there are still 21 exhibition games left to be played.

Countdown to Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs - 21 days

Is Kerry Wood on the Cubs' Radar?

2010-03-15T05:05:00Z

According to a report from Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe, Kerry Wood is drawing interest from the Chicago Cubs. Cafardo listed the Twins and the Cubs as possible destinations for Wood.

Kerry Wood is owed a lot of money for the upcoming season ($10.5 million) and has a rather large vesting option for the final year his three-year contract. Wood's $11 million club option for 2011 becomes guaranteed if Wood finishes 55 games in 2010. Carfardo pointed out the Indians would have to pick up a good portion of his remaining contract to trade him to either the Twins or Cubs.

]]> Since Angel Guzman's season-ending, and career-threatening, injury was made public on March 6, the rumor mill went into overdrive about the possibility of Kerry Wood returning to the Cubs. As Bruce Levine has pointed out on several occasions, the Cubs have little to no room in their payroll for 2010 to add a setup man with a $10.5 million price tag.

The other concern with adding Kerry Wood in any role other than a closer is the amount of times a set-up man is used during a season ... not to mention all of the up and down in the pen that is associated with being a Major League setup man. With Wood's injury history he could not be used as a setup man due to the toll it would take on his shoulder.

Kerry Wood was scratched from a scheduled one-inning outing on Saturday due to soreness in his right arm. According to a report from Paul Hoynes (via Rotoworld), the Indians labeled Wood's arm issue as "spring training soreness." The Indians are not concerned.

While most would like to see Kerry Wood back in a Cubs' uniform, his contract and the role in the pen the Cubs need to fill do not appear to be a fit.

Stay Tuned ...

Castro Right in the Middle of the Win - Cubs 8 Angels 7

2010-03-15T00:24:56Z

Game Twelve - Cubs 8 Angels 7
WP - Andrew Cashner (1-0) LP - Rich Thompson (0-2, BS 1) Save - Thomas Diamond (1)

The Cubs won their fourth game in a row and finished the long five-game weekend with a 4-1 record. Two non-roster invitees played a role in the victory against the Angels.

Kevin Millar drove in the Cubs first run with a double to left center in the first ... and hit a two-run homer over the wall in left in the third. Millar finished the game 2-for-2 with a walk, a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI.

Starlin Castro (2-for-2 with a double, a run scored and two RBI) continued his impressive spring on Sunday afternoon. Castro reached base with a double and a single in his only two trips to the plate. Castro doubled in James Adduci with the tying run in the seventh and scored the go ahead run on a double by Micah Hoffpauir.

Castro also showed off his range and arm on Sunday with mixed results. Castro was shook up a little in the ninth on a grounder up the middle. Castro appeared to lose his footing and hit the dirt as he flipped the ball to Darwin Barney. Reports after the game indicated Castro's knee was okay.

The Cubs offense pounded out 12 hits, six for extra bases, and scored at least a single run in five of the nine innings.

After being just short of perfect in his first two outings, Randy Wells struggled mightily in his third start of the spring. Larry Rothschild said Wells' performance on Sunday might be a good wake-up call for the young right-hander.

Wells was hit rather hard in the second inning. The Angels sent 11 batters to the plate, scored six times and seemed to rattle the normally calm, cool and collected Randy Wells.

While the Cubs pen on Sunday allowed only one run after Randy Wells left the game, the questions surrounding the bullpen continue to be justified. Carlos Marmol was effective but struggled with his command and walked a batter. John Grabow, like Marmol, struggled with throwing strikes.

The Cubs pen allowed only four hits over the final six innings but they walked nine batters, five in the last two innings, with only seven strikeouts. Lou Piniella was visibly upset at the performances by Blake Parker and Thomas Diamond in the eighth and ninth.

With the win, the Cubs improved to 8-4 in the Cactus League ...

]]> The beginning of the game was the Kevin Millar show. Mike Fontenot reached on a one-out single to center in the first inning. After Xavier Nady flied out to left center, Kevin Millar doubled to left center. Fontenot scored, 1-0 Cubs.

Marlon Byrd followed with a single to left, Millar scored and gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead. Alfonso Soriano hit a ball thrown by Joel Pineiro ... and singled to left. But Byrd was thrown out the plate to end the inning.

Randy Wells took a 2-0 lead into the second inning. Wells had not allowed a run or walked a batter in his two previous starts, that changed on Sunday.

Kendry Morales led off the inning with a long home run to right. After Juan Rivera flied out, Wells walked Mike Napoli. Brandon Wood blooped a single into left center. The Angels showed the Cubs how to run the bases early in the game. The Angels' catcher went from first to third on a single ...

Reggie Willits tied the game at two with a single to right.

Maicer Izturis blooped another single into center and plated Wood with the go ahead run. Howie Kendrick cleared the bases with a triple to right center ... 5-2, Angels. Torii Hunter walked ahead of Hideki Matsui's single to right. Kendrick scored and gave the Angels a 6-2 lead in the exhibition game. Wells struck out Morales looking and Rivera on a ground out to third to end the inning.

With the Cubs down 6-2, Xavier Nady doubled to left off of Joel Pineiro. With one out in the third, Kevin Millar cut the deficit in half with a two-run homer over the left field wall. Pineiro retired Byrd and Soriano to end the inning ... and his outing.

Randy Wells struggled with his command again in the third. Wells walked Mike Napoli to start the inning on four pitches. Wells could not find a rhythm and labored through his three innings of work (Wells was scheduled to throw four innings on Sunday). Wells' line: six runs, all earned, on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

Mike Fontenot hit his first longball of the spring in the fifth off of Anthony Ortega. Fontenot's dinger put the Cubs just one run behind ... 6-5 Angels after five innings.

After the Piniella emptied his bench, for the most part, the Cubs made their comeback. James Adduci led off the seventh with a single to right. Starlin Castro stepped in and worked the count to 3-1 against Rich Thompson. Piniella sent Adduci on the next pitch. Castro hit a double to the wall in left. Adduci scored and tied the game at six.

Xavier Nady flied out to center and advanced Castro to third. Micah Hoffpauir ripped Thompson's first pitch into right center. Castro scored easily and gave the Cubs a 7-6 lead.

Adduci and Castro gave the Cubs an insurance run in the eighth. James Adduci worked a two-out walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single to right by Starlin Castro ... 8-6, Cubs after seven and a half.

Blake Parker did not help his stock on Sunday afternoon. After retiring the first two batters he faced in the eighth (two strikeouts), Michael Ryan hit a long foul ball off of him on a 2-1 pitch. Parker lost his command and walked Ryan. Parker ended up walking the next two batters he faced to load the bases ... he was never the same after the loud strike.

Piniella had seen enough and brought in Thomas Diamond with two outs, the bases loaded and the Cubs up by two.

Diamond walked the first batter he faced to force in a run. With the Cubs up 8-7, Diamond struck out Efren Navarro looking on a 2-2 pitch to end the inning.

Thomas Diamond struggled a little with his command in the ninth. He gave up a bunt single and a walked before retiring Michael Ryan on a long fly to right to end the game.

Box Score from MLB.com

Carlos Zambrano will face Jeff Francis and the Rockies on Monday afternoon in Tucson.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. Angels - 03/14/10

2010-03-14T16:00:00Z

Spring Training Game Twelve: Cubs (7-4) vs. Angels (2-6-2)
Game Time - 3:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: WGN TV - Radio: XM Radio Channel 176
Location - Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe

Randy Wells (1-0, 0.00/0.20) vs. Joel Pineiro (0-0, 4.50/2.00)

Updated - 11:08am CDT - Cubs announced first round of cuts on Sunday morning. Nine players removed from Spring Training roster ... two optioned and seven assigned to minor league camp.

Mitch Atkins was optioned to Triple-A Iowa and David Patton was optioned to Double-A Tennessee. Steve Clevenger, Blake Lalli, Jeff Kennard, Josh Vitters, Matt Camp, Brett Jackson and Vince Perkins assigned to minor league camp.

The Cubs travel to Tempe for the first time this afternoon to face the Angels ... one of two games for the Cubs against the defending AL West Champions in the Cactus League this year. The Cubs will send Randy Wells to the mound against the ex-Cardinal, Joel Pineiro.

Aramis Ramirez left Saturday's game against the Reds in the third inning with soreness in his right triceps. Ramirez is listed as day-to-day. The Cubs have downplayed the injury ... he is expected back in the lineup in a couple of days.

After X-rays showed no damage in Derrek Lee's left foot, the Cubs said he would be out for a couple of more days with a bruised left foot. Lee is not expected back until Tuesday.

The Cubs are expected to announce their first round of cuts following today's game ...

]]> With three weeks and 21 games remaining on their spring schedule (22 games counting Sunday's match-up with the Angels), the Cubs have several decisions to make with their roster.

Players such as Tyler Colvin and Starlin Castro are reportedly making the Cubs think twice this spring. Players that appeared as locks before the games began might have slipped a little on the Cubs' depth chart.

Randy Wells will make his third start of the spring. Wells has allowed no runs and only one hit in five innings without a walk and four strikeouts. For the Cubs to prove the experts wrong this season, they will need a big year out of Randy Wells.

Joel Pineiro missed his last start because of emergency dental work. Pineiro last pitched on March 4 and gave up a run on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts in two innings of work.

Anthony Ortega, Michael Kohn and Andrew Taylor also scheduled to pitch for the Angels.

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ....

A Split-Squad Sweep for the Cubs - Cubs 11 Reds 4 - Cubs 8 White Sox 7

2010-03-14T00:55:26Z

Game Ten - Cubs (ss) 11 Reds 4
WP - Mike Parisi (1-0) LP - Jon Adkins (0-1) Save - None

Game Eleven - Cubs (ss) 8 White Sox (ss) 7
WP - John Gaub (1-0) LP - Jeffrey Marquez (0-1, BS 1) Save - Justin Berg (1)

The Cubs got their work in on Saturday in Mesa and Las Vegas ... with some solid performances but with a little injury in Mesa.

Lou Piniella's crew beat the Reds in Mesa by a lopsided 11-4 score. Sean Marshall put together a good start. He allowed only one run in three innings, a solo home run by Juan Francisco. The Cubs managed only one run off of Homer Bailey in his three innings of work ... his first start of the spring. After the Reds built a 4-1 lead, the Cubs offense scored 10 times in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Bryan LaHair (2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI) tied the game with a three-run homer in the fifth ... and Hak-Ju Lee added a two-run double in the sixth. Tyler Colvin (3-for-5 with a run scored) and Darwin Barney (2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a RBI) had good days at the plate.

Aramis Ramirez left the game against the Reds in the third inning with right triceps soreness. Ramirez is listed as day-to-day and the Cubs downplayed the injury.

Alan Trammell managed the Cubs to a two-game sweep of the White Sox in Las Vegas. For the second time in less than 24 hours, Josh Vitters drove in the game winner against the South Side. Vitters grounded into a fielder's choice in the eighth that broke a 6-6 tie.

Ryan Dempster was solid once again. The White Sox managed one unearned on one hit against Dempster in three innings of work. Dempster did not walk a batter and stuck out a pair.

With the wins on Saturday, the Cubs improved to 7-4 in Cactus League play ...

]]> Cubs vs. Reds at HoHoKam Park - Final Score, Cubs 11 Reds 4

Sean Marshall began the game by retiring the Reds in order. Juan Francisco gave the Reds a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Francisco launched a 3-2 pitch from Marshall over the wall in right center.

After Wladimir Balentien reached on an infield single to Aramis Ramirez (Ramirez took his time throwing to first), Darwin Barney robbed Yonder Alonso of a base hit to center. Barney flipped to Starlin Castro for the second out in the inning. Ryan Hanigan popped out to Barney to end the second.

Sean Marshall retired the Reds in order in the third. Marshall's line for Saturday: one run on two hits with no walks and two strikeouts in three innings.

Casey Coleman struggled in relief of Marshall. He gave up a pair of home runs, a two-run shot to Juan Francisco and a solo homer to Paul Janish. Coleman also walked a couple of batters in his two innings against the Reds.

The Cubs' pen shutdown the Reds offense after Coleman left the game. Mike Parisi was impressive in his two innings of work. Parisi did not allow a baserunner and struck out one. Jeff Stevens and Esmailin Caridad finished the game.

James Adduci continued to impress on Saturday. Adduci finished the game 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored. Adduci started the rally in the fifth with a one-out single to center.

Starlin Castro advanced Adduci to third with a groundout to second. Darwin Barney (2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a RBI) worked a two-out walk against Micah Owings. Bryan LaHair ripped Owings first pitch over the wall in right ... LaHair's three-run shot tied the game at four.

Tyler Colvin blooped a single into left but was thrown out by Chris Dickerson trying to stretch it into a double. At the end of five, game was tied at four.

Chad Tracy led off the sixth with a single to left center. Alfonso Soriano followed with a double to left but Tracy ran through the stop sign at third, and could not get back. Tracy was thrown out at the plate. Bobby Scales doubled in Soriano for the Cubs' fifth run.

Koyie Hill blooped a single into right, Scales held at third. After James Adduci struck out, Hak-Ju Lee made his spring debut.

Another one of the Cubs' top prospects delivered, Hak-Ju Lee doubled to left. Scales and Hill both scored ... 7-4 Cubs after six.

The Cubs scored four more times in the seventh. Bryan LaHair led off with a double and advanced to third on a single by Tyler Colvin. After Dusty Baker brought in Pedro Viola for Jon Adkins, Chad Tracy struck out.

Ty Wright, up from minor league camp, singled to left to plate LaHair ... 8-4 Cubs. Chris Robinson just missed a home run, settled for a double off the top of the wall and drove in Scales and Colvin. James Adduci plated Robinson with a single to center, 11-4 Cubs.

Box Score from MLB.com

Cubs vs. White Sox at Cashman Field - Final Score, Cubs 8 White Sox 7

Ryan Dempster quietly went about his business again on Saturday. Dempster got his work in, threw strikes and if not for errors by Ryan Theriot and Jeff Baker, the White Sox would not have scored any runs with Dempster on the mound.

Brent Lillibridge reached on a fielding error by Theriot. Juan Pierre then reached on a throwing error by Jeff Baker. Lillibridge scored and Pierre advanced to second. Dempster retired C.J. Retherford and Paul Konerko to end the inning ... and his outing.

The Cubs jumped out to an early lead against Lucas Harrell. After going quietly in the first, Kevin Millar led off the second with a single. Geovany Soto walked. Following a strikeout by Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker ripped a double into the right field corner. Millar and Soto scored the first two runs of the game.

Robinson Chirinos doubled in Baker with the Cubs' third run.

The White Sox took a 5-3 lead in the fifth off of J.R. Mathes. Mathes struggled with his command again. He gave up four runs on four hits with four walks in his two innings of work. Mathes should be in the first round of cuts, along with Jeff Kennard.

The Cubs started chipping away at the White Sox lead in the fifth. Robinson Chirinos led off the inning with a walk. Sam Fuld hit into a 6-4 fielder's choice but advanced to third on a single by D.J. LeMahieu. Kyler Burke drove in Fuld with a sacrifice fly to left ... at the end of five, 5-4 White Sox.

The Sox built a 6-4 lead against the Cubs after Jeff Kennard gave up another run in the seventh.

After John Gaub retired the Sox in order in the eighth, the Cubs' offense woke up in the bottom half of the inning. Brett Jackson worked a one-out walk and scored on a double to right by Micah Hoffpauir. Jackson showed off his speed by scoring from first on a double to right.

Brad Snyder reached on a broken bat blooper to center. With runners on first and third with one out, Ryan Flaherty singled to right. Hoffpauir scored and tied the game at six.

Ozzie Guillen went to his pen and brought in Justin Cassel to face Josh Vitters.

Josh Vitters hit a slow chopper to short. Flaherty was forced but Vitters beat the throw to first. Snyder scored to give the Cubs the lead. Welington Castillo followed with a double to left. With runners on second and third with two outs, Matt Camp walked. D.J. LeMahieu then reached on a throwing error by Lillibridge at short that allowed Vitters to score the Cubs' eighth run.

Justin Berg worked around an error by Matt Camp in left in the top of the ninth to pick up the save.

Box Score from MLB.com

The Cubs won three of the four split squad games. The highlights of the last four games ... the top prospects in the organization playing with the big leaguers.

Lou Piniella's crew will be reunited on Sunday ... just one game. The Cubs face the Angels in Tempe, Randy Wells against Joel Pineiro.

Beginning on Sunday, all of the Cubs' Cactus League games will start an hour later with the time change ... 3:05 pm CDT.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Split Squads - 03/13/10

2010-03-13T18:00:00Z

Spring Training Game Ten: Cubs (ss) (5-4) vs. Reds (4-3)
Game Time - 2:05pm CST
Coverage - TV: None - Radio: MLB.com (Reds feed)
Location - HoHoKam Park

Sean Marshall (0-0, 2.25/1.00) vs. Homer Bailey (0-0, -.--/-.--)

Spring Training Game Eleven: Cubs (ss) (5-4) vs. White Sox (ss) (4-4-2)
Game Time - 3:05pm CST
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 670 The Score, MLB.com (White Sox feed)
Location - Cashman Field, Las Vegas

Ryan Dempster (1-0, 0.00/0.00) vs. Lucas Harrell (0-0, 9.00/2.00)

Another split-squad day for the Chicago Cubs ... half of Lou Piniella's roster will face Dusty Baker and the Reds at HoHoKam while the other half completes the "Big League Weekend" at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.

The Reds joined the Cactus League this year and today will be the first time the Cubs have played the Reds in a Spring Training game since 1945 ... today will also be the first appearance for Dusty Baker at HoHoKam Park since 2006.

The Cubs will be the home team at Cashman Field this afternoon.

]]> Cubs vs. Reds at HoHoKam Park

Sean Marshall will make his third appearance of the spring, first start, today against the Reds. Marshall has given up a run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings this spring.

Homer Bailey has made only one appearance this spring, a B-Team game, and reportedly his outing was impressive. Bailey tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Today will be Bailey's Cactus League debut.

Derrek Lee is expected back in the lineup after being scratched on Friday afternoon.

Cubs vs. White Sox at Cashman Field

Ryan Dempster's first outing against the A's last Monday went as planned ... two perfect innings in his first spring outing. Dempster should throw three innings this afternoon in his second spring tune-up.

Lucas Harrell will make his first start, second appearance, of the spring this afternoon for Ozzie Guillen. Harrell allowed two runs on two hits with a pair of walks and no strikeouts. While the other half of his team is at Camelback Ranch facing the Brewers, Guillen will try to beat the Cubs.

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ...

Vitters Triple Downs Sox in Vegas - Cubs 6 White Sox 5

2010-03-13T05:57:20Z

Game Nine - Cubs (ss) 6 White Sox (ss) 5
WP - Mitch Atkins (1-0) LP - Jhonny Nunez (0-1, BS 1) Save - Blake Parker (1)

The Cubs took an early lead in the first of two against the Sox in Vegas. Marlon Byrd and Mike Fontenot drove in the first two runs of the game in the first inning. Tom Gorzelanny did not allow a hit in his three innings of work. But Gorzelanny walked the bases loaded in the second and his wild pitch allowed the White Sox to score a run.

Jay Jackson surrendered the White Sox first hit in the sixth before giving up the lead. The Sox scored three runs off of Jackson and took a 4-3 lead into the seventh.

Marlon Byrd reached on an error by Brent Lillibridge to start the seventh. Brett Jackson pinch ran for Byrd and advanced to second when Kevin Millar walked. Micah Hoffpauir took over for Millar on the bases.

Josh Vitters ripped a 1-1 pitch from Jhonny Nunez into right center. The ball rolled to the wall. Jackson and Hoffpauir scored on Vitters' triple. Mike Fontenot drove in his second run of the night with a single to center ... and gave the Cubs a 6-4 lead.

The Sox cut the Cubs' lead to 6-5 in the eighth with a single to right by Alejandro De Aza. De Aza took too wide of a turn at first, Kyler Burke threw behind him and Micah Hoffpauir tagged him out to end the inning ... with the tying run at third.

Blake Parker labored through a 28-pitch ninth inning (14 strikes) to pick up the save.

Several of the Cubs' top prospects contributed to the win on Friday night. The Cubs improved to 5-4 on the spring with the victory over the White Sox ...

]]> Ryan Theriot (1-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and two stolen bases) led off the game with a bunt single. Theriot advanced to second on Mark Teahen's throwing error. Kosuke Fukudome grounded out to second, Theriot advanced to third and scored on a single to center by Marlon Byrd.

Following a Kevin Millar walk and a strikeout by Xavier Nady, Mike Fontenot singled in Byrd for the Cubs second run. Geovany Soto singled to center but Andruw Jones threw out Millar at the plate to end the inning.

Mike Fontenot reached on a two-out single in the third. Soto followed with his second hit of the game, a single to left center. With runners on first and third with two outs, Jeff Baker plated Fontenot with a single to right.

Tom Gorzelanny put together a decent outing on Friday night. Gorzelanny retired the Sox in order in the first but had command problems in the second.

Andruw Jones and Mark Kotsay walked to start the inning. Gorzelanny struck out Mark Teahen swinging. Tyler Flowers walked to load the bases with one out. Alejandro De Aza struck out looking for the second out.

With Jayson Nix at the plate, Gorzelanny uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Jones to score from third. Gorzelanny refocused and struck out Nix looking to end the inning.

Gorzelanny walked three, struck out three and allowed a run without a hit in the second.

Tom Gorzelanny retired the Sox in order in the third to finish his night ... one run on no hits with three walks and four strikeouts in three innings.

Thomas Diamond took over in the fourth. While he was not dominant he was effective. Diamond walked a batter and struck out a batter in his two innings on Friday night. Diamond threw strikes.

The Sox did not manage a hit through the first five innings.

Jay Jackson took over in the sixth and struggled. Jackson showed, at times, why the Cubs are so high on him but he gave up three runs in 2/3 of an inning.

Omar Vizquel singled to center to start the inning. Jeff Baker robbed Paul Konerko of a hit down the third base line with a great diving stop. Vizquel advanced to second ... and then to third on an infield single by Kenny Williams, Jr.

Jackson walked Mark Kotsay to load the bases with one out.

Mark Teahen drove in the Sox second run with a single to left. With the bases loaded, Donny Lucy hit a weak grounder to second. Fontenot tossed to Theriot but the ball was not hit hard enough to turn two ... Kenny Williams, Jr. scored and tied the game at three.

Alan Trammell lifted Jackson for Mitch Atkins.

Alejandro De Aza singled to right center and plated Kotsay with the go ahead run. Atkins struck out Jayson Nix for the final out.

After the Cubs took the lead in the top of the seventh, Hung-Wen Chen replaced Atkins on the mound in the home half of the seventh.

Chen was effective but Brett Jackson kept the White Sox from mounting another comeback. C.J. Retherford hit a double high off the wall in left ... just out of reach of Sam Fuld. Jackson picked up the ball and threw a strike to Ryan Flaherty at third. Flaherty tagged out Rutherford trying to turn a double into a triple.

Blake Parker struggled with his command in the ninth before finding a pretty impressive changeup. Parker got the job done.

The Cubs brought several of the top prospects in the organization with them to Las Vegas. D.J. LeMahieu, Kyler Burke, Ryan Flaherty and Jay Jackson from minor league camp ... while Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters, both non-roster invitees, figured heavily in the Cubs win on Friday night.

Box Score from MLB.com

Saturday is another split-squad day for the Cubs. Lou Piniella's crew will face Dusty Baker and the Reds at HoHoKam Park, Sean Marshall versus Homer Bailey. While Alan Trammell will manage a group led by Ryan Dempster in Las Vegas.

Talkin' Cubs Live - Cubs vs. White Sox - 03/12/10

2010-03-13T01:00:00Z

Spring Training Game Nine: Cubs (ss) (4-4) vs. White Sox (ss) (4-3-2)
Game Time - 9:05pm CST
Coverage - TV: Comcast SportsNet - Radio: 670 The Score, MLB.com (White Sox feed)
Location - Cashman Field, Las Vegas

Tom Gorzelanny (0-0, 9.00/1.00) vs. Carlos Torres (0-0, 2.25/1.00)

For the sixth year in a row, the Cubs will participate in "Big League Weekend" at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. The Cubs annual trip to Sin City will have them face their Crosstown rivals ... who beat them rather soundly at HoHoKam Park, 15-3, last Saturday.

Alan Trammell will manage a Cubs' split-squad this weekend that will feature the likes of Tom Gorzelanny, Micah Hoffpauir, Kevin Millar, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, Ryan Theriot, Matt Camp, Josh Vitters, Geovany Soto, Robinson Chirinos, Welington Castillo, Sam Fuld, Marlon Byrd, Brett Jackson, Kosuke Fukudome, Brad Snyder, Xavier Nady, Thomas Diamond, Blake Parker, Justin Berg, Jeff Kennard, Mitch Atkins, John Gaub, and J.R. Mathes.... Ryan Dempster will take the ball against the Sox on Saturday afternoon.

Tom Gorzelanny will make his first start, second appearance, of the spring tonight.

]]> The Cubs play only two night games during the exhibition season this year ... tonight in Las Vegas and on April 2 against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Teams need practice under the lights before the games count.

Tom Gorzelanny, who figures to break camp in the Cubs starting rotation, gave up a pair of runs (a two-run homer by Josh Donaldson) in two innings of work against the A's ... with a strikeout and a hit batsman.

The other half of Ozzie Guillen's team played the Angels earlier today in Arizona. Paul Konerko, Mark Kotsay, Juan Pierre, Mark Teahen and Andruw Jones are among the South Siders that made the trip.

The Cubs will face Carlos Torres at the beginning of the game. The right-hander will make his first start of the spring, third appearance. In his first two games, Torres allowed one run on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts in four innings of work.

Let's Talk Cubs Baseball ...

Same Ole Samardzija - Cubs 3 Brewers 12

2010-03-13T00:55:00Z

Game Eight - Cubs (ss) 3 Brewers 12
WP - Doug Davis (1-0) LP - Jeff Samardzija (0-1) Save - None

The Cubs long weekend of exhibition games got off to a bad start on Friday afternoon. The Brewers lit up Jeff Samardzija in the first inning and Doug Davis continued his domination of a team in blue pinstripes.

Granted it is "just Spring Training" but the performance from Jeff Samardzija on Friday was very similar to his outings from a year ago. Samardzija gave up four runs, all earned despite an error by Starlin Castro in the first inning, on five hits in two innings. Samardzija walked a batter, struck out two and served up back-to-back jacks in the first to Jim Edmonds and Gregg Zaun.

Samardzija turned the game over to the pen in the third ... and the pitchers Lou Piniella did not send to Las Vegas did not fair any better than 'The Shark.'

John Grabow surrendered an unearned run in his inning of work, but one of the two hits he allowed was a double by Jim Edmonds. Marcos Mateo could not find the strike zone. He walked five batters in the fifth, uncorked a wild pitch and served up a two-run homer to Jody Gerut. Jeremy Papelbon, called in from minor league camp, allowed two of Mateo's runners to score.

Rafael Dolis and James Russell closed the game. Dolis was solid in his first inning but struggled in his second and both runs he was charged with scored with James Russell on the mound.

The Cubs offense was non-existent. They managed nine hits, but scored only three runs and two of those came in the seventh inning. Tyler Colvin continued his hot spring and finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and a RBI. Aramis Ramirez doubled in the Cubs' second run in the seventh.

With the loss, the Cubs slipped back to .500 in the Cactus League (4-4) ...

]]> Rickie Weeks led off the game by ripping Jeff Samardzija's first pitch into the corner in right for a double. Alcides Escobar followed and hit a grounder to Starlin Castro. Castro threw the ball away, Weeks scored on the error ... 1-0 Brewers.

Samardzija focused and struck out Ryan Braun swinging. Prince Fielder lined out hard to center and it appeared Samardzija would get out of the inning with just one unearned run.

Jim Edmonds stepped in and launch a Samardzija fastball over the wall in center ... 3-0 Brewers. Gregg Zaun followed with a home run to right ... after one, 4-0 Brewers.

The Cubs cut the Brewers lead to 4-1 in the second. Tyler Colvin tripled with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Alfonso Soriano.

After Samardzija worked around a walk and a single in the second without allowing a run, John Grabow took over in the third.

Jim Edmonds reached on a one-out double to left ... Soriano could not make a play on the ball. Gregg Zaun blooped a single into right, Edmonds held at third with one out. Jody Gerut then popped a ball into shallow center. Bobby Scales called off Tyler Colvin, then dropped the ball. Edmonds scored, 5-1 Brewers ... the second error for Bobby Scales in his last two games.

Marcos Mateo had little to no command once again on Friday. Following a decent fourth inning, Mateo could not throw a strike in the fifth.

The Brewers scored five runs in the fifth on five walks, a two-run homer by Jody Gerut and a two-run single by Prince Fielder off of Jeremy Papelbon.

James Adduci led off the seventh with a double to center. With one out, Aramis Ramirez doubled to left. Adduci scored, 10-2 Brewers. Tyler Colvin singled to right and plated Ramirez with the Cubs third and final run.

Logan Watkins, Nelson Perez, Junior Lake, Jeremy Papelbon, Brandon Guyer and Smaily Borgues were brought in from minor league camp on Friday afternoon.

Box Score from MLB.com

Tom Gorzelanny and the Cubs will face the South Side in Vegas on Friday night.