Ryan Theriot: Leadoff Hitter
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella confirmed yesterday that there would be no leadoff platoon this year, and announced that Ryan Theriot would be the leadoff hitter.
Theriot batted .283 in 42 games in the leadoff spot last season when he took over for Alfonso Soriano, who was dropped to sixth. The Cubs, who used six leadoff men last season, began camp wanting to look at both Theriot and Fukudome there.
“I’m just glad he has the confidence in me to stick me up there,” Theriot said after Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Rockies. “I feel comfortable at the top of the order — one, two. One’s good, two’s good. Honestly, just as long as I’m in the lineup. I cannot get [Piniella] to let me hit fourth or fifth. I’m working on that, so we’ll see.” cubs.com.
Even though Kosuke Fukudome hits much better against righties than Theriot, and even though the case for a leadoff platoon has never been stronger, I can’t say I’m terribly angry about this decision. Having Theriot in the one-hole allows him to be the best kind of hitter he can be - i.e., a guy that works counts and tries to get on base. Theriot struggled when Piniella told him to start swinging hard. Presumably, as the permanent lead0ff hitter, Theriot will understand his role.
Further, the only real difference between the number one and number two hitters is a tiny amount of extra at bats over the course of the season. Fukudome’s goal will still generally be to get on base and see pitches.
ShareGod’s Wrath Watch: Jeff Gray Will Finally Face Live Hitting
When the Chicago Cubs acquired Jeff Gray from the Oakland A’s earlier this offseason, he was a presumed member of the 2010 bullpen. But a nasty groin strain has kept him out of action for more than a month, cutting into his chances to land a spot in the bullpen.
Finally, though, he’ll soon be ready to face live hitting. Whether that is in batting practice or in a Spring Training game, however, is unclear.
Relief pitcher Jeff Gray should face live hitting some time by the end of this week, according to Piniella. The former Oakland Athletics pitcher strained a groin two weeks before spring training began on Feb. 17. ESPN Chicago.
Gray, 28, was fairly good in 26 innings last year for the A’s, but that was his first meaningful taste of big league action. Thus, the presumption that he’d automatically be a member of the pen may not be appropriate. Even with Angel Guzman out, Gray is going to have to demonstrate effectiveness before he’ll be handed a spot in the pen.
ShareTed Lilly is Still a Recovery Machine
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ted Lilly, who just welcomed his first child into the world, is somehow ahead of his recovery schedule from shoulder surgery, despite a viral setback a couple weeks ago.
“We want to keep him under the radar gun and not talk much about it,” Piniella said of Lilly’s progress. “He’s coming along really well. He’s had no setbacks whatsoever. He’s actually ahead of schedule.
“We feel pretty good about the possibility of him pitching some Spring Training [games].”
Lilly did not face hitters on Saturday. He had said he was going to throw a live batting-practice session this weekend. The lefty, who was projected to be ready in mid-April or May 1, has made up for the time he missed because of a virus.
“He’s ahead of schedule, that I can tell you,” Piniella said. “I haven’t talked much about him because I don’t want him to push him too fast.”
The Cubs have two vacancies in the rotation and are still sorting out the candidates. Piniella has hinted they would have a decision made around March 22.
“Let’s just see everybody around one more time,” Piniella said. “Let’s not rush.” cubs.com.
Taking it easy with Lilly is obviously the right approach - it’s a long season. But that said, the difference between a rotation with a healthy Lilly and without is tremendous. If he’s able to get back having missed only a couple starts instead of four or five, the Cubs will be much better off for it.
ShareSpring Training Battle Watch: March 15, 2010
The Chicago Cubs headed down to Tucson to take on the Colorado Rockies, and it totally wasn’t worth it because the Cubs lost 5-2. And there wasn’t much settled in the way of battles, either:
- Rule Five pick Mike Parisi had his first really bad outing of the Spring, giving up three runs, two earned, in one and two thirds innings. Other bullpen competitors John Gaub and Justin Berg had relatively nondescript turns - Gaub went 1.1, giving up one run and striking out two, while Berg threw one scoreless, hitless, walkless, strikeoutless inning.
- Jeff Baker, who is seeing increasingly few innings at second base, played third and didn’t notch a hit. Lou Piniella was already leading toward using Mike Fontenot as his primary second baseman, and Baker has done nothing to change Piniella’s mind.
- Micah Hoffpauir went hitless splitting time between right field and first base, and his chances of making the team are approximately nil at this point.
- Tyler Colvin, on the other hand, just continues to rake, with two more hits, this time playing left field. The question is now becoming whether having Colvin on the Cubs bench could hinder any future development - a question that would have been unthinkable just a few months ago.
Angel Guzman Will Meet with Dr. James Andrews Today
Chicago Cubs reliever Angel Guzman has been a magnet for injuries in his ten years in the organization, and his most recent could mark the end of his time with the Cubs, if not his career. Guzman, 28, has a significant tear in his shoulder, which will keep him out for quite a while, and now the only question is: rehab or surgery? The former is less likely to work, but the latter is more risky.
So Guzman is going for a second opinion from the guy who apparently knows everything about sports-related surgery.
Angel Guzman [left yesterday] for Alabama, where he’s scheduled to meet with noted sports surgeon James Andrews on Monday to discuss his shoulder injury and treatment options.
Guzman still is leaning toward having career-threatening surgery but is trying to keep an open mind.
”I just want to see him Monday and talk to him and think about it,” Guzman said.
Guzman, the Cubs’ top reliever last season, was sidelined the last two weeks because of related problems with the shoulder. He entered camp coming off minor knee surgery but otherwise seemed healthy until two setbacks with the shoulder and an MRI exam that revealed a significant tear. CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
If Guzman opts for surgery, you’ve got to believe he’ll miss the rest of the season and will be non-tendered by the Cubs. Perhaps he will come back to rehab, but another team may be more willing to pony up on such a risky property. The surgery decision could very well be the moment we look back on, and realize that’s when Angel Guzman left the Cubs.
ShareSpring Training Battle Watch: March 14, 2010
The Chicago Cubs beat the Angels, but Randy Wells got shellacked by a lineup that didn’t have all its regulars. Eek. On to the battles:
- Kevin Millar played first base and had a double and a homer, but I still don’t see how his presence on the bench makes the Cubs much better than would a Bryan LaHair or a Micah Hoffpauir.
- Chad Tracy went hitless in his turn at third base, but still has to be a favorite to land a bench spot over the less versatile Millar.
- Mike Fontenot continues to top Jeff Baker in the competition for second base - Fontenot had two hits, including his first Spring homer.
- Andrew Cashner threw two scoreless and struck out three, but he also gave up two hits and two walks. His chances to make the Cubs’ bullpen at this point are slim.
- Thomas Diamond threw a scoreless one and a third, and is looking like he’s got a solid chance to make the pen. You’ll note that presumptive bullpen member Jeff Gray has yet to make his Spring debut.
The First Cut is the Deepest: Nine Players Get the First Spring Axe
Spring cuts are upon us, but there’s actually little news here - none of the nine guys who comprise the first set of cuts were expected to actually make the Cubs. It is no reflection of how the Cubs think about these guys’ future - in fact, two of the guys cut were former number one picks Josh Vitters and Brett Jackson.
Mitch Atkins was optioned to Triple-A Iowa and David Patton, whom the Cubs acquired in December 2008 in the Rule 5 Draft, was optioned to Double-A Tennessee. Both are right-handed pitchers.
Jackson, Vitters, catchers Steve Clevenger and Blake Lalli, infielder Matt Camp, and pitchers Jeff Kennard and Vince Perkins all were assigned to the Minor League camp.
Jackson, an outfielder, was the Cubs’ No. 1 Draft pick last June, while Vitters was the top pick in 2007. Vitters, who was bothered last season by a wrist injury, hit .316 at Class A Peoria and .238 at Class A Daytona. cubs.com.
Vitters is likely to start out at Daytona again this year, but could move quickly. Jackson, having only played a half season of professional ball, will probably start out in regular A ball.
ShareGod’s Wrath Watch: Derrek Lee Still Has Foot Issues
Last Wednesday, Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his foot, and was pulled early from a Spring Training game. No one was terribly concerned - and I don’t want to induce PANIC, I’m not terribly concerned yet either - but Lee hasn’t seen game action since.
Manager Lou Piniella reiterated yesterday that the injury wasn’t serious, calling it “just a bone bruise.” Piniella said that Lee will not be taking Monday’s trip to Tucson to play the Rockies - though many players try to figure out ways to avoid the two-plus hour bus trip, so the fact that Lee is not going is not any additional reason for concern.
The Cubs expect Lee to get back into game action by mid-week.
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