According to a report from Carrie Muskat, the Cubs traded Rocky Roquet to the Oakland A's for a player to be named later on Wednesday. Roquet was in big league camp for the second spring in a row and spent a major of last season in Double-A. … [Read more...]
Harden Scheduled…and First Cuts of the Spring
According to multiple reports, Rich Harden completed a simulated game on Friday and the Cubs have scheduled his first spring start. If everything goes as planned Rich Harden will take the mound on Tuesday in Peoria against the Seattle Mariners. The Cubs reduced their spring training roster from 60 to 57 following Friday's game against the Dodgers. Andrew Cashner, Rocky Roquet and Ed Campusano were re-assigned to Minor League camp. Some of the Cubs minor league players have already reported and … [Read more...]
Carlos Squared – Cubs 1 Diamondbacks 9
Game Six - Cubs 1 Diamondbacks 9 WP - Juan Gutierrez (1-0) LP - Mitch Atkins (0-1) Save - None Two of the three pitchers the Cubs figure to depend on in the upcoming season had good outings on Monday at HoHoKam Park. Carlos Zambrano made his first spring start and struck out three of the six batters he faced. Zambrano struck out the first two batters of the game and Chad Tracy was the only batter to reach against Zambrano. Tracy walked to start the second and was erased on a 5-4-3 double play … [Read more...]
Surprising Pauir – Cubs 10 Rangers 4
Game Three - Cubs 10 Rangers 4 WP - Ted Lilly (1-0) LP - Scott Feldman (0-1) Save - None The Cubs improved to 3-0 on the young Cactus League season on Friday in front of 5,413 behind Ted Lilly in his only tune-up before the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs offense scored seven runs in the second inning to put the exhibition game away at beautiful Surprise Stadium. Micah Hoffpauir started his third game at a different position and provided one of the defensive gems of the game and his second … [Read more...]
Cubs’ Storylines of the Spring…The Non-Roster Pitchers
The Cubs first game of the Cactus League schedule is two days away and the first ten days of Camp Lou III have been very quiet. Lou Piniella described camp as being very workman like so far as the players prepare for the games to begin. With the long exhibition season, the Cubs figure to get extended looks at players that might have slipped through in years past. After the minor league teams report to Fitch Park on March 12, look for many to make the short drive down the street to participate … [Read more...]
Cubs Sign Stanton…Invite 21 to Spring Training
The Cubs announced on Tuesday they invited 21 players to Spring Training....pitchers and catchers report to Mesa on Friday, February 13th. The Cubs signed Mike Stanton to a minor-league deal on Tuesday and will give the former All-Star a reliever a chance to make the big league club after missing the entire 2008 season. Other non-roster invitees include Welington Castillo, Andrew Cashner, Rocky Roquet, Darwin Barney, Luis Rivas, Jason Dubois and So Taguchi. … [Read more...]
Nothing In Between
Spring Training Game Thirteen - Cubs 4 Brewers 6 WP - Dave Bush (1-0) LP - Rich Hill (0-1) Save - Brian Shouse (1) The Cubs offense picked up where they left off on Sunday with an impressive 1st inning against Dave Bush....3 runs on 3 hits with a walk. Aramis Ramirez drove in pair with a double to right and Josh Kroeger followed with a run scoring single. After Kroeger's single Dave Bush and Manny Parra retired the next 16 batters they faced until a 2-out double by Aramis Ramirez in the 6th … [Read more...]
Walking in the Sand
Spring Training Game Seven - Cubs 4 Diamondbacks 5 WP - Brooks Brown (1-0) LP - Tim Lahey (0-1, BS 1) Save - Bill Murphy (1) Carlos Zambrano pitched for the second time this spring with a better result than his previous start last Friday. Not only did Zambrano throw 3 innings of shutout ball but he added his first home run of the spring, on a 0-2 pitch from Max Scherzer. Zambrano gave up a hit, a walk and struck out 3. Rich Hill also pitched in his second Cactus League game and while he did … [Read more...]
An Unannounced Split Squad
Spring Training Game Three - Cubs 2 Angels 6 WP - Jered Weaver (1-0) LP - Jason Marquis (0-1) As far as the game itself, it was over before it started. The Angels trotted out their All-Star lineup while Lou Piniella's crew featured a starting nine that could have taken the field last season in Iowa, with the exception of Jason Marquis and Alex Cintron. Kerry Wood and Bobby Howry both pitched for the first time this spring with similar results. Wood allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in an inning of work … [Read more...]
Headlines and Rumors from Day Three
There was one big surprise from Fitch Park on Day Three of Camp Lou. According to multiple reports, Piniella stated Rich Hill is currently slotted as the 4th starter in his rotation, not the third as has been assumed all winter. Piniella is undecided on which pitcher will occupy the 3rd and 5th spots in the Cubs starting rotation. Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster and Jon Lieber are the leading candidates for the last two spots according to a report in the Tribune. Piniella added he is "not looking … [Read more...]