The Cubs added veteran closer Joe Nathan to the mix Tuesday on a guaranteed one-year Major League contract, and placed him on the 60-day DL. Nathan is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery (April, 2015) and is not expected to be ready until at least July 1. Multiple reports Tuesday indicated Nathan could be ready to pitch shortly after the All-Star break. The Cubs will pay Nathan a prorated MLB minimum base salary ($507,700) of around $385,000 and his deal includes an incentives … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Baseball’s Back, Cubs Have Three of the 50 Most Important Players in the Game
It’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball as three games kickoff the 2016 season. The Cardinals are in Pittsburgh for the first game on baseball’s calendar … Adam Wainwright versus Francisco Liriano with first pitch scheduled for 12:05pm CDT. The Blue Jays and Rays square off in Tampa at 3:05pm CDT and the Mets and Royals wrap up the day under the lights in Kansas City with a Matt Harvey, Edison Volquez match up at 7:37pm CDT. The Cubs still have one more practice game on the spring … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Lester and Lackey Hold Court, Crow Progressing and Other Cubs Spring Training News
Countdown to Cubs Cactus League Opener: 11 Days Pitchers and catchers will continue getting their work in Monday, the last day before position players have to report to the team’s facility. A majority of the players on the Cubs’ Spring Training roster, along with several minor leaguers, are already in camp and preparing for the season. The first full-squad workout is Wednesday. Jon Lester, John Lackey and Joe Maddon met with the beat writers Sunday after practice. And Maddon thinks having … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Back to the Field, Epstein and Hoyer, Crow Signs, Fowler and Jackson Rumors
The Cubs returned to the field this weekend, the practice fields that is, as Spring Training officially got underway in Mesa. Pitchers and catchers reported Friday, the first on-field workout was Saturday and the first images of pitchers pitching and catchers catching made the way around the Internets and Twitters. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Joe Maddon held their pre-Spring Training sit down with the beat writers. And for Maddon’s team this year, the slogan is ‘Embrace the Target.’ Theo … [Read more...]
Cubs Sign RHP Aaron Crow to a Minor League Contract
The Cubs made two roster moves Friday. The Cubs signed RHP Aaron Crow to a minor league contract and released LHP Luis Cruz. Aaron Crow received a non-roster invite to big league camp. The Cubs announced LHP Luis Cruz was released after he failed his physical. The Cubs Spring Training roster officially stands at 61 players, 21 non-roster invitees and a full 40-man roster. Aaron Crow, 29, is recovering from Tommy John surgery. The veteran right-hander underwent the procedure last April … [Read more...]