The Cubs did not fare well in the Cactus League win-loss column over the weekend. After outlasting the Giants in Thursday night’s marathon, Joe Maddon’s team dropped three in a row at Sloan Park. Maddon used a majority of his regulars throughout the weekend and the offense provided a glimpse of what it’s capable of in three of the four games. Maddon’s deep, American League-type lineup can really put together at-bats. Addison Russell hit homers in back-to-back games. Kris Bryant, Anthony … [Read more...]
Cubs Trade LHP Edgar Olmos to Orioles for PTBNL
According to multiple reports, the Cubs traded LHP Edgar Olmos to the Orioles for a player to be named later. Olmos was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training. Trading Olmos to the Orioles does not impact the Cubs’ 40-man roster, which officially stands at 39 players, or the Spring Training roster. Olmos was re-assigned to minor league camp on March 18. Officially the Cubs have 45 players on the Spring Training roster. Edgar Olmos returns to the Orioles for his second stint since … [Read more...]
Willson Contreras Put on a Show in Cubs Spring Loss – Dodgers 6, Cubs 5
Spring Training Game Twelve – Cubs (ss) 5, Dodgers (ss) 6 WP – Dustin Richardson (1-0, BS 1) LP – Edgar Olmos (0-1) Save – None The Cubs tied the game in the eighth inning on a bases loaded walk by Victor Caratini and a sac fly from Albert Almora Jr. After the Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Jesus Guzman launched a two-out, two-run homer that gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Edgar Olmos and Frank Batista could not throw strikes in the ninth and walked in two runs as the Cubs … [Read more...]
Jake Arrieta Lights Out in Cubs Spring Loss – Indians 5, Cubs 3
Spring Training Game Eight – Cubs 3, Indians 5 WP – Corey Kluber (1-0) LP – Pierce Johnson (0-1) Save – None Jake Arrieta pitched two scoreless innings in his spring debut and Jeimer Candelario hit a solo home run and John Andreoli smacked a two-run homer in the ninth but the Cubs managed just five hits and dropped their sixth straight Spring Training game. Jake Arrieta was lights out Wednesday. Arrieta struck out four of the six batters he faced over two innings. Arrieta punched out … [Read more...]
Heyward and Rizzo Homer, Grimm and Ramirez Stumble – Rockies 4, Cubs 2
Spring Training Game Six – Cubs (ss) 2, Rockies 4 WP – Carlos Estevez (1-0) LP – Neil Ramirez (1-1) Save – Brock Huntzinger (1) Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo hit solo shots off Jonathan Gray and gave the Cubs an early 2-0 lead. Justin Grimm walked two and allowed the Rockies to tie the game in the fifth. Neil Ramirez struggled in the sixth as the Rockies scored two more runs and beat the Cubs in Scottsdale on Monday afternoon. It was a good day for the Cubs’ sluggers in the split … [Read more...]
Cubs Announce Signing Murton to Minor Contract, Add Williams and Olmos to Spring Roster
The Cubs made it official Tuesday and announced signing OF Matt Murton to a minor league contract. Murton received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and will wear No. 21 in his return to the Cubs. As previously reported, Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year RHP Ryan Williams has received a non-roster invite to big league camp. And LHP Edgar Olmos cleared waivers, was outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A Iowa and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee. With the three … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: TV Schedule, Roster Moves, Dexter Fowler Updates and Jed Hoyer
The last full weekend without Cubs baseball for eight months started with the team releasing the TV schedule and making a couple of roster moves. The Cubs will have at least 60 players on the Spring Training roster when camp officially opens at the end of the week thanks to two additions to the list of non-roster invitees. Dexter Fowler stayed in the news while Baltimore and Yovani Gallardo continued working on a deal. And Jed Hoyer spent a lot of time on the radio at the end of the week … … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Claim LHP C.J. Riefenhauser Off Waivers from Orioles, DFA LHP Edgar Olmos
The Cubs announced two roster moves Friday involving southpaw relievers. The Cubs claimed left-handed pitcher C.J. Riefenhauser off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. To make room for Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Edgar Olmos has been designated for assignment. With Friday’s moves, the Cubs’ 40-man roster stands at 40 players. C.J. Riefenhauser, 26, has spent parts of the last two seasons at the big league level with the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1-0 with a 6.30 … [Read more...]
Cubs 2016 Spring Training Preview: Relief Pitchers
Over the last couple of seasons for the Chicago Cubs, the front office has taken a patchwork approach to building a bullpen. Mainstays like Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Justin Grimm were cast-offs from other organizations and have excelled since joining the team. The approach had 20 total pitchers pitch in relief to a tune of a 3.38 ERA, eighth in the majors with no real star among them. During the offseason, the Cubs tinkered with the bullpen in much the same way, adding Rex Brothers who … [Read more...]
ESPN Ranks Cubs Bullpen Fifth in Baseball
Buster Olney posted his list of the top bullpens, and Olney ranked the Cubs behind the Yankees, Royals, Red Sox and Astros as having the fifth best pen in baseball. According to Buster Olney, teams like the Yankees “might have more dynamic options at the back end, but the Cubs might have more depth than any other team in baseball.” Olney pointed to seven different relievers picking up saves last season as being a strength that shows versatility. Olney feels the Cubs should once again have … [Read more...]