Monday, March 26, 2007

Roster finalized; team to carry 13 pitchers

Instead of carrying five outfielders, the Cubs have decided to carry 13 pitchers.

Pitchers Saul Rivera (0-0, 1 save, 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings) and Matt Thornton (0-1, 1 save, 5.79 ERA in 9.1 innings) will break camp with the team.

Pitchers Zach Duke, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Proctor; infielders Ryan Garko and Pablo Ozuna; and outfielder Delwyn Young were sent to Iowa (AAA). Infielder Martin Prado was sent to Tennessee (AA).

Pitcher Javier Lopez was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

The Cubs look to put the preseason behind them, where they posted a 10-14 record including a seven-game losing streak to end the Cactus League season.

THE 25-MAN ROSTER:

Starting Pitchers (5)
Mark Buehrle
Tim Redding
Chris Sampson
Johan Santana
Brad Thompson

Relief Pitchers (8)
Brian Fuentes
Damaso Marte
Joe Nathan
Jonathan Papelbon
J J Putz
Saul Rivera
Eddy Rodriguez
Matt Thornton

Catchers (2)
Gerald Laird
Yorvit Torrealba

Infielders (6)
Chris Barnwell
Hank Blalock
Chris Burke
Justin Leone
Chris Shelton
Chase Utley


Outfielders (4)
Carl Crawford
Brad Hawpe
Luke Scott
William Veneable

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Roster becomes clearer

Another eight players have been guaranteed to make the roster for Opening Day 2007.

Brad Thompson (2-0, 3.38 ERA in 16.0 IP), Tim Redding (2-0, 4.00 ERA in 9.0 IP), and Chris Sampson (1-2, 4.09 ERA in 11.0 IP) will be the final three pitchers in the Cubs' starting rotation. Additionally, Eddy Rodriguez (0-1, 1.72 ERA in 15.2 IP), Brian Fuentes (0-0, 1.59 ERA in 5.2 IP), and Damaso Marte (0-1, 3.97 ERA in 11.1 IP) will start the season in the Major League bullpen.

Utility-man Chris Burke (.289/2/5/.373/.533 in 45 AB) and outfielder William Veneable (.308/0/1/.345/.462 in 26 AB) will make the team.

There remains just one spot for pitchers and one spot for position players left on the roster.

Pitchers Henry Bonilla, Heath Bell, and George Sherill were returned to Iowa (AAA). Outfielder Richie Robnett was returned to Tennessee (AA).

Position Battle: 6 pitchers competing for 1 spot
SP Zach Duke: 0-2, 8.31 ERA in 13.0 innings.
RP Aaron Heilman: 0-1, 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings.
RP Javier Lopez: 0-0, 1 save, 1.42 ERA in 6.1 innings.
RP Scott Proctor: 0-0, 3 saves, 3.00 ERA in 6.0 innings.
RP Saul Rivera: 0-0, 1 save, 0.00 ERA in 7.2 innings.
RP Matt Thornton: 0-1, 1 save, 6.75 ERA in 8.0 innings; out of options.

Position Battle: 4 position players competing for 1 spot
IF Ryan Garko: .250/1/4/.302/.375 in 40 at-bats.
IF Martin Prado: .214/0/1/.267/.250 in 28 at-bats.
IF Pablo Ozuna: .157/0/3/.232/.176 in 51 at-bats.
OF Delwyn Young: .152/0/2/.204/.196 in 46 at-bats.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Leone, Scott to make team

After an excellent showing in Spring Training, Justin Leone will make the Major League team for Opening Day 2007. Leone hit .442 with 6 doubles, 3 homers, and 10 RBI's in just 43 at-bats, totaling for a 1.259 OPS. He will serve as the back-up to Hank Blalock.

Additionally, outfielder Luke Scott will make the Opening Day 2007 roster, after compiling a .304 average, 2 homers, 8 RBI's and a .912 OPS in 56 at-bats. While his offense is not a question, his defense is. With Carl Crawford anchored in left field, it is uncertain whether or not Scott can make the transition to center field.

The team has been considering Chris Burke as a possible option for center field. Burke is hitting .286 in 42 at-bats.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Thirteen guaranteed roster spot

Thirteen players have been guaranteed to make the roster for Opening Day:
SP Johan Santana (can refuse minors assignment)
SP Mark Buehrle (can refuse minors assignment)
RP JJ Putz (out of options)
RP Jonathan Papelbon
RP Joe Nathan (can refuse minors assignment)
C Gerald Laird
C Yorvit Torrealba
1B Chris Shelton
2B Chase Utley (can refuse minors assignment)
3B Hank Blalock
SS Chris Barnwell
OF Carl Crawford (can refuse minors assignment)
OF Brad Hawpe

Position Battle: 5 starting pitchers competing for 2 spots
Henry Bonilla: 2-0, 9.31 ERA in 9.2 innings.
Zach Duke: 0-1, 10.00 ERA in 9 innings.
Tim Redding: 2-0, 4.00 ERA in 9 innings.
Chris Sampson: 1-2, 4.09 ERA in 11 innings.
Brad Thompson: 3-0, 3.75 ERA in 12 innings.

Position Battle: 10 relief pitchers competing for 4 spots
Heath Bell: 0-0, 54.05 ERA in 0.1 innings.
Brian Fuentes: 0-0, 2.25 ERA in 4 innings; can refuse minors assignment.
Aaron Heilman: 0-1, 4.77 ERA in 5.2 innings.
Javier Lopez: 0-0, 1 save, 1.69 ERA in 5.1 innings.
Damaso Marte: 0-1, 3.97 ERA in 11.1 innings; can refuse minors assignment.
Scott Proctor: 0-0, 3 saves, 3.18 ERA in 5.2 innings.
Eddy Rodriguez: 0-1, 1.72 ERA in 15.2 innings.
George Sherill: 0-0, 13.50 ERA in 1.1 innings.
Matt Thornton: 0-0, 1 save, 4.05 ERA in 6.2 innings; out of options.

Position Battle: 5 infielders competing for 2 spots
Chris Burke: .300/2/5/.391/.550 in 40 at-bats.
Ryan Garko: .281/1/4/.343/.438 in 32 at-bats.
Justin Leone: .421/3/10/.452/.763 in 38 at-bats.
Pablo Ozuna: .167/0/3/.225/.190 in 42 at-bats.
Martin Prado: .250/0/1/.308/.292 in 24 at-bats.

Position Battle: 4 outfielders competing for 2 spots
Richie Robnett: .167/0/0/.231/.167 in 12 at-bats.
Luke Scott: .308/2/8/.383/.519 in 52 at-bats.
William Veneable: .318/0/1/.360/.500 in 22 at-bats.
Delwyn Young: .175/0/2/.233/.225 in 40 at-bats.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Injured pitchers placed on DL

Placed P Tom Martin and P Tyler Walker on the 60-day DL.