Updated 3:08pm CDT - Cubs re-signed Munenori Kawasaki, Manny Parra and Shane Victorino to minor league contracts. Cubs release Munenori Kawasaki, Manny Parra and Shane Victorino, looking to re-sign all three players According to multiple reports, the Cubs have released INF Munenori Kawasaki, LHP Manny Parra and OF Shane Victorino. The Cubs are actively trying to re-sign all three players. With the three roster moves, the Cubs Spring Training roster officially stands at 32 … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Maddon Sets Starting Rotation, Arrieta Gets Thumbs Up, Roster Moves and Lots of Offense
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...]
Shane Victorino to Rehab with Cubs in Extended Spring Training
Veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to rehab at Cubs facility Shane Victorino talked to the beat writers prior to Friday’s exhibition game at Sloan Park. Victorino will stay at the Cubs facility in Mesa and rehab in extended Spring Training when the regular season starts. Victorino said once healthy he will decide at that point if he will report to Triple-A Iowa or not. According to multiple reports, Victorino will probably spend a month with Iowa when he’s ready to play. Victorino had … [Read more...]
Shane Victorino Will Not Make Opening Day Roster, Considering Cubs New Offer
During his Thursday pre-game meeting with the beat writers, Joe Maddon revealed that veteran outfielder Shane Victorino will not be on the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. Victorino is too hurt to play and prepare properly for the upcoming season. The Cubs signed Shane Victorino to a minor league contract on Feb. 26. Victorino’s deal included a non-roster invite to Spring Training and called for a base salary of $1 million with an additional $1 million through performance bonuses if he made the team … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Joe Maddon’s All About Getting Off to a Good Start
Joe Maddon stepped it up a notch Tuesday when he ran out a starting lineup in a road Spring Training game that featured a majority of his every day position players. For the first time in the Cactus League, Maddon’s infield from first to third was Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant. Maddon had an outfield of Jorge Soler (LF), Dexter Fowler (CF) and Jason Heyward (RF) with Kyle Schwarber (C) behind the plate. The Cubs produced a 9-6 win over the Reds in Goodyear, but … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Roster Decisions, Rumors and Other Cubs Day Off News
The Cubs open the 2016 season two weeks from today in Anaheim. The Cubs begin the last full week in the Valley with the only day off on the Cactus League schedule. The Cubs resume play in the Cactus League on Tuesday in Goodyear. John Lackey is pitching today in a minor league game in order to stay on his five-day routine. Lackey’s next scheduled start is Saturday at Sloan Park against the Giants. April 3 is the deadline for teams to set their Opening Day rosters. Officially, the Cubs … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Jake Arrieta Cruises Through Minor League Start and Other Cubs News
Jake Arrieta got his work in Saturday in a minor league game against the Rockies at the Cubs’ facility. Arrieta completed five innings on one of the backfields and reportedly looked very good in what was his third outing of the spring. Arrieta allowed two hits, no runs and struck out four. Arrieta made 60 pitches, at one point throwing 22 of 26 pitches for strikes, and is scheduled to make his next start in five days against the Giants in Scottsdale (March 24). Arrieta will throw 80-90 … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Neil Ramirez Pitched Way into Roster Conversation, Other Cubs St. Patrick’s Day News
Happy St. Patrick’s Day The Cubs have two games on the spring schedule today, a ‘B-Game’ against the Rockies (12:00pm CDT) in Scottsdale and a Cactus League matchup with the Diamondbacks on National TV (ESPN - 6:05pm CDT). Joe Maddon is running out a majority of his regulars against the Diamondbacks. Barring injuries or a trade, the Cubs have only a couple of open spots on the projected Opening Day roster. And Neil Ramirez has pitched his way into the conversation to be with the Cubs in … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Kris Bryant’s Service Time Still in Question, Jake Arrieta and Other Cubs News
As expected it was a busy start to the week for the Cubs on and off the field. The Cubs trimmed the spring roster before the exhibition game with the Padres. Jake Arrieta had a good outing before the game got out of hand. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark was in Cubs’ camp Monday to talk to the players as part of his annual tour through Arizona and Florida. Clark was asked about the service time grievance Kris Bryant filed early last season. Tony Clark said, “We don’t talk about … [Read more...]
Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Padres – 03/14/16
Spring Training Game Fourteen: Cubs (3-9-1) vs. Padres (3-9-1) Game Time – 3:05pm CDT Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com Location – Sloan Park, Mesa Jake Arrieta (0-0, 0.00, 0.00) vs. Colin Rea (0-0, 0.00, 1.20) The Cubs get back to work this afternoon at Sloan Park in the first of back-to-back games with the Padres as the Spring Training schedule nears the midway point. The Cubs open the regular season three weeks from tonight in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. Jake … [Read more...]