For those that have been hoping for Travis Wood to play in the outfield on the days he’s not pitching, that is not going to happen. But Rick Renteria is considering using his relievers in the outfield in order to keep from burning through his bullpen.
According to the Tribune, Rick Renteria “has considered preserving some of his relievers by putting them in the outfield for one or two batters before bringing them back to the mound.”
As the Tribune reminded us, Lou Piniella did the same with Sean Marshall in 2009 during a Sunday night game against the Cardinals during the last game before the All-Star break.
Rick Renteria has discussed the possibility with his coaches and the relievers have been shagging balls during batting practice.
And in case you missed it, Manny Ramirez is on the Iowa Cubs roster and is set to make his first appearance of the season tonight in Colorado Springs.
Dallas Beeler
The Cubs announced Dallas Beeler will start the first game of the day-night doubleheader Saturday against the Nationals. The Cubs want to take a closer look at Beeler, and it would be his turn in the rotation. Beeler is on the 40-man roster and is already on an optional assignment. Beeler will be up with the team for the day then returned to Iowa following Saturday’s games.
Beeler has pitched rather well this season after missing the first month of the year. In 10 games, Beeler is 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. In 60 1/3 innings, Beeler has given up 56 hits with 15 walks and 43 strikeouts … and over his last five starts, Beeler is 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.
Dallas Beeler gets the pleasure of facing lefty Gio Gonzalez in his big league debut.
Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to face Jordan Zimmermann in the night cap.
News and Notes
Edwin Jackson hasn’t had a quality start (three earned runs or less in six innings) since May 17 … about the same time rumors surfaced that the Cubs could trade him due to the way he was pitching leading up to a start in San Diego. Jackson has thrown 100 or more pitches in four starts this season. And Jackson made several confusing, to say the least, comments following Wednesday’s outing against the Reds.
Starlin Castro is hitting .287/.333/.479 in 76 games this season with 23 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 45 RBI and a .812 OPS. The .479 SLG is a career high, as well as his .812 OPS. Castro is 13 doubles short of his career best of 36 in 2011 and he is three longballs short of his career-high of 14 set in 2012.
Jake Arrieta and Homer Bailey workout together in the off-season.
Anthony Rizzo would love a shot at the home run derby according to a report from Comcast SportsNet.
As the Tribune reported, James Russell is having a good season. Russell credits his improvement with finding his change-up and comfort with throwing his sinker. Russell has held lefties to a .200/.289/.319 line while right handers have hit .143/.262/.140 against him this season. But it was still the right move to keep him from facing Todd Frazier Tuesday night.
And several of the players did something very nice for Bob Gehrke, the usher that is stationed outside of the Cubs’ clubhouse.
Minor News and Notes
Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-4 Wednesday with a home run and a stolen base … and the home run was off a lefty. Schwarber started behind the plate and threw out two baserunners. Schwarber is 8-for-19 with two doubles, two home runs, two walks and three strikeouts in six games with Kane County … .421/.500/.842/1.342.
Albert Almora extended his hitting streak to seven games with a RBI single. Almora went 1-for-5 with a RBI Wednesday and is 11-for-32 over his last seven games. And there was a little more to the story behind Almora’s home run Tuesday night as Sean Kernan reported.
The Cubs announced the signings of 21 of their first 22 draft picks Wednesday. And the Cubs gave 3B Kevonte Mitchell a $200,000 signing bonus … $100,000 of the bonus counts against the team’s bonus pool.
This Day In Cubstory
2005 – Cubs beat the White Sox 2-0. Mark Prior, Jerome Williams and Ryan Dempster combined on a one-hitter, the third one-hitter of the season for the Cubs staff
1991 – Cubs traded David Rosario to the Yankees for Steve Adkins
1985 – Cubs beat the Mets 7-3 and ended a club-record-tying losing streak of 13 games, the Cubs longest losing streak since 1944
1979 – Cubs traded Bobby Murcer to the Yankees for Paul Semall and cash
1978 – Cubs traded Paul Reuschel to the Indians for Dennis DeBarr
1978 – Dave Radar hit a pinch-hit Grand Slam and Rodney Scott stole home as the Cubs edged the Mets at Wrigley Field, 10-9
1974 – Jason Kendall, born
1972 – Rick Reuschel made his first big league start and the Cubs beat the Phillies 11-1 at Wrigley Field
1969 – Rodney Myers, born
1966 – Ron Santo was struck in the face by a pitch thrown by Mets’ starter Jack Fisher. Santo fractured his cheek and had it operated on the next day. Santo’s streak of 390 straight games at third base came to an end, but his 27-game hitting streak, one shy of the franchise mark, stayed intact with a first inning single.
1960 – Ron Santo made his Major League debut and went 3-for-7 with five RBI as the Cubs swept the Pirates in a doubleheader at Forbes Field. Cubs beat the Pirates 7-6 in game one, and 7-5 in game two.
1950 – Dave Rosello, born
1957 – Orioles signed amateur free agent Milt Pappas
1948 – Cubs signed amateur free agent Ed Winceniak
1903 – Babe Herman, born