When the players were introduced prior to Monday’s home opener, Carlos Marmol was greeted by a chorus of boos. Marmol seemed to take the welcome in stride but his teammates were not that happy about the reception that Marmol received from the home crowd twice on Monday.
According to a report from Carrie Muskat, Dale Sveum said getting booed on Opening Day is not fun for anybody and it is tough on everyone in the clubhouse. James Russell told ESPN Chicago, “You lose some respect for the fans. There is no room for it.”
Carlos Marmol understands the boos according to a report from Comcast SportsNet and doesn’t take them in a bad way.
Carlos Marmol
The Cubs are looking to work Carlos Marmol back into the closer’s role. The plan, for now, is the same as it was last season. Marmol will throw in less stressful situations, like Monday, in middle relief. The coaching staff is looking for a way to help Marmol regain his confidence.
Theo Epstein said Monday that he supported Sveum’s decision to remove Marmol from the closer’s job.
Night Games
Theo Epstein addressed the addition of night games at Wrigley on Monday. Epstein told the media that night games are more of a revenue issue than a competition issue. Epstein explained that more night games would help with a new TV contract.
News Bits
Matt Garza completed a 35-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. The Cubs are looking for Garza to complete at least two more throwing session before going out on a rehab assignment.
Darwin Barney is still not ready to have the stitches removed from his left knee. The Cubs hoped he would have the stitches out on Monday. Barney took infield and batting practice on Sunday and has been cleared to do all activities. The team is hopeful the five stitches can be removed by this weekend. The Cubs will decide the next course of action at that point, which could include a rehab assignment with Kane County. Barney is not sure where he will rehab, it will depend on the weather.
Dale Sveum knows patience could start running out with the fans quickly. Sveum told the Sun-Times that he realizes there is only so much they can take.
There were a couple of firsts down on the farm on Monday. Logan Watkins hit his first Triple-A home run and the Kane County Cougars posted their first victory of the season.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Tom Tunney sat together in Tom Ricketts’ seats during Monday’s opener at Wrigley.
The Rangers designated Jeff Beliveau for assignment on Monday to make room on the 40-man roster for Robinson Chirinos. The Rays designated Chirinos for assignment last week and the Rangers picked him up from Tampa for a PTBNL on Monday.
Jim Callis reported on Monday that the more scouts he talks to the more he is told that Mark Appel and Jonathan Gray are moving toward the top picks in June’s draft. Callis admitted that a lot can happen over the next eight weeks but right now the two college pitchers have separated themselves from the pack.