In case you’ve missed it, MRI’s are in style this spring … well, at least for the Cubs. As the Tribune reported, Dale Sveum joked the Cubs could save money by purchasing their own MRI machine. Two more players had MRI’s on Monday, Scott Baker and Ian Stewart.
According to multiple reports, Scott Baker showed up Monday morning with discomfort in his right elbow. Baker said he felt fine following Sunday’s start, but due to the pain he felt on Monday, the Cubs sent him for a precautionary MRI. Results of the test were not available on Monday night and are expected to be announced on Tuesday.
Before the news surfaced that Baker was scheduled for an MRI, he told Comcast SportsNet that his rehab was on track, despite Sunday’s results.
Matt Garza
Reports over the weekend that Matt Garza threw from 90 feet on flat ground were inaccurate. Garza clarified where he stands with his rehab on Monday.
According to a report from Comcast SportsNet, Garza made about 20 throws from 75 feet on Sunday. Garza is hopeful he can stretch the distance out to 120-to-150 this week. But Garza is not going to rush the rehab process.
Garza is targeting a mid-April timeframe to join the Cubs rotation while Dale Sveum said May 1 might be more realistic. Patrick Mooney reported Garza’s return could “swing seven days in either direction” and “it could be the middle of May.”
According to a report from Carrie Muskat, the plan is for Garza to play catch every other day and he “won’t attempt to throw off a mound until he’s able to play catch from 120-150 feet for a couple of days.”
Ian Stewart
Ian Stewart was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday on his sore left quad. The results of the MRI were not announced, but according to the Sun-Times, it probably means that Stewart will not be on the Cubs’ Opening Day roster.
Stewart hit in a minor league game last Thursday (March 14) and was expected to participate in another minor league game on Saturday. Stewart reportedly removed himself from the game with soreness in the quad.
Dale Sveum told ESPN Chicago that the Cubs have a small window for Stewart to be ready by April 1 and that window is getting ready to shut.
Cubs News Bits
Javier Baez and Jorge Soler made positive impressions on coaches during camp.
Travis Wood will pitch in a minor league game on Wednesday to stay on schedule. Scott Feldman will face the Dodgers in Tucson on Thursday afternoon while Jeff Samardzija is slated to face the Mariners in Peoria on Thursday night.
According to a report from the Sun-Times, Ian Stewart’s injury could open up a spot for Steve Clevenger to make the team. The Cubs do not plan on carrying three catchers but if Clevenger can prove his versatility then he could make the team in a back-up role. The Sun-Times also reported that the team will be watching the waiver wire over the next two weeks for other options.
Carlos Marmol is not concerned with trade rumors according to a report from Bruce Levine.
According to a report from ESPN Chicago, Alberto Gonzalez or Edwin Maysonet have a chance at breaking camp with the team.