The Cubs basically announced the seventh round of spring roster cuts on Tuesday when Alberto Gonzalez and Zach Putnam were informed they would not be making the team out of camp. While the moves are not official, the Cubs have 32 players remaining on the Spring Training roster.
The Cubs are watching the waiver wire, but have not found a fit yet. Steve Clevenger would fill the last spot on the bench, unless a player is added, and the final job in the pen is down to Hisanori Takahashi and Cory Wade.
Dale Sveum said that they are watching the transactions throughout the league, but the Cubs have not found anyone that fits their needs. Sveum acknowledged that Jon Garland would have been a good fit.
The Cubs would like to have a utility infielder that hits left handed on the bench to start the season … and they have not ruled out trying to add a pitcher or two.
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano feels he can help the Cubs win games if he is healthy. Soriano credited his renewed sense of mental health and confidence to the Cubs’ new bosses according to a report from the Sun-Times.
Soriano explained that no one talked to him over the last few years of the previous regime. Soriano felt like he was the “negative” on the team. Soriano added that when the Cubs won everything was fine but when they lost “everybody pointed” at him.
Full Report from the Sun-Times
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro has an excellent reason for why he wears No. 30 and why Travis Wood switched numbers from 30 to 37 for him.
According to Carrie Muskat, Dioner Navarro’s wife had a brain aneurysm on September 27, and her surgery on September 30 then was given a four percent chance to live. Navarro has worn No. 30 ever since.
The Cubs announced Travis Wood (37), Carlos Villanueva (33) and Dale Sveum (4) switched their uniform numbers.
Rumors and News Bits
Ian Stewart was able to hit in the cage on Monday. Stewart will stay behind in Arizona to continue his rehab. Timetables have varied from two-four weeks on when Stewart could begin a rehab assignment.
Matt Garza will also remain in Arizona to work at the Cubs’ facility at Fitch Park. Reports have suggested that Garza could throw off a mound by the first week of April.
Brett Jackson has been sidelined for more than 10 days with inflammation in his throwing (right) shoulder. Jackson is expected back in the Cubs’ lineup on Thursday when the Cubs take on the Mariners at the HoHoKam Park finale. Jackson will begin the year with the Iowa Cubs. The team has not announced whether or not the shoulder injury will delay the start of his season.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs liked what they saw from Chris Rusin. Rusin could be part of the rotation by May if the Cubs need another starter.
Bruce Levine confirmed that the Cubs are looking at RHP Chris Young.
Jeff Samardzija has liked what he has seen from his team this spring … and thinks the absence of ‘me’ players will help the Cubs this season.
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are not really committed to Josh Vitters as the third baseman of the future. There are organizations that feel Vitters will hit, but the problem with Vitters is that he does not have a position.
The Cubs are very high on Pierce Johnson according to Bruce Levine.