Prior to Monday’s game with the Reds, Dale Sveum was asked about the comments he reportedly made on Sunday about Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. As it appeared on Sunday, Sveum’s comments about Rizzo and Castro possibility being sent down to Iowa were misunderstood.
Dale Sveum explained that everyone on the team is accountable, including himself and his coaching staff. Sveum knows that he has full support from Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer but that doesn’t mean that he is exempt from being accountable for the way the Cubs have played.
Ian Stewart
While multiple reports have indicated that Ian Stewart could be activated from the DL at some point during the homestand that begins on Monday (April 29), Dale Sveum said prior to Sunday’s game that the team is in no hurry to bring him up from Iowa.
Stewart has been rehabbing in Iowa and was 1-for-17 with three walks, one run scored, eight strikeouts and one RBI prior to Monday’s game. Stewart went 1-for-3 with a double, a sac fly, two RBI and a run scored without a strikeout on Monday.
Dale Sveum indicated that Stewart had to “get hot swinging the bat” before he would be activated. Sveum pointed out that Luis Valbuena has been solid at third base and doing a good job.
News Bits
Matt Garza reported to the Smokies on Monday to prepare for his rehab start on Wednesday. Garza completed a bullpen session on Sunday and reportedly everything went well. Garza is expected to make at least four rehab starts before being activated from the DL. Garza will be making his first appearance in a game since last July 21 in St. Louis.
Jonathan Gray continues to impress with the draft just around the corner. According to a report from ESPN, the right hander “continues to look like the most dominant pitcher in college baseball.” Gray pitched six shutout innings with two hits while striking out 10 and not issuing a walk in his last outing. ESPN pointed out that Gray was facing one of the worst teams in college baseball. Gray sat in the upper 90s with his fastball. Gray figures to be a top five pick, if he doesn’t go in the first two picks in the draft.
Sean Manaea, the Indiana southpaw, continued his struggles in his last outing according to ESPN.
Brandon Phillips explained the comments he made following Darwin Barney winning the Gold Glove last season.