It Doesn’t Sound Like Matt Garza Will Debut Until Early May and Other Bullets

Mar 14, 2013

matt garza chin Those who’ve listened seem to have really enjoyed Baseball America’s Ben Badler guesting on the BN Podcast, which means you would enjoy it, too. Thus, you should listen.

Matt Garza threw again yesterday, and apparently left the session feeling good. Still, the plan isn’t to see him make his season debut until late April or early May. From Dale Sveum, per CSN: “I think Garza’s going to be more the latter part or the beginning of May. I’m not sure exactly [when yet]. But he’s [still] got to throw off a mound a couple times and then it’s going to be live BP. So his Spring Training will basically probably start in a week from now if everything goes good.”

“I’m still hoping [to be ready by mid-April,” Garza said, per Carrie Muskat. “We’ve got three weeks left. Hopefully, I can be ready to make an appearance the last week [of Spring Training], and if not, possibly Houston [March 29-30], and then go out and make a couple starts and be ready.” I don’t think, right now, we have any reason to expect to see Garza before May. His hopes are nice, but if he’s going to be DL’d anyway, the Cubs are going to take their time with him. And, also, once-bitten, twice-shy and all that.

Also feeling good: Starlin Castro, who played yesterday after missing almost two weeks with a minor hamstring thing. He left the game with no issues whatsoever. Good.

More on the injury front (sort of), Dale Sveum talks about Junior Lake, who is out for four to six weeks with a stress fracture in a rib (per Carrie Muskat): “Learning a new position [at third base], he’s a little bit raw there, but he still did a pretty good job there. Swinging the bat, he’s a very premeditated swinger. He’s just not getting good pitches to hit, and he’s swinging at arm action a lot. He’s a guy who has a lot of bat speed, and doesn’t have to be a premeditated swinger but he’s still in that mode. He’s got all the tools — we didn’t get to see him play the outfield but a couple times. It’s a nice player to have but there’s still development there.” Sounds like Sveum’s take on Lake is like everyone else: impressive physical specimen, so much talent, but still a long way to go to harness it.

Hitting coach James Rowson says he really likes what he’s been seeing from Cubs hitters this Spring in terms of “good plate appearances.” Even if the results haven’t been great at times, what matters right now is seeing a good approach at the plate. (He also notes that, right now, the Cubs are mostly just letting Jorge Soler do his natural thing, see what he’s got, and then they’ll use that to work with him later. Pretty interesting.)

Anthony Rizzo’s Team Italy, though they had a chance to beat both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, lost to the latter last night, and were eliminated from the WBC after a cinderella run. At least they left us with this Italian style homer celebration. Jerry Crasnick wrote a nice profile of Rizzo the other day, too.

Look for Scott Baker to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday. He’ll still start the season on the DL, though.

John Sickels’ top 150 prospects list is out, and there are no huge surprises, save, I suppose, for the fact that he’s got Dan Vogelbach up at 98. Javier Baez (18), Jorge Soler (25), Albert Almora (44), and Arodys Vizcaino (112) round out the Cubs’ entrants. Brett Jackson is on the list of guys who just missed.

Remember when Javier Baez’s car got the “rookie” treatment? Well, naturally Baez suspects that the prank ring leader was Matt Garza.

BN’er Eric is once again the man, and sent over some video of Albert Almora taking batting practice over at Fitch Park. Cool to see what these guys look like in the cage:

And if the first video wasn’t enough for your scouting purposes, here’s more:

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

NBA Prop Bets

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Saturday, April 20, 2024

Today's NBA playoff schedule has four quality competitions on the docket. Among those contests is the Phoenix Suns playing the Minnesota Timberwolves.One of the most fun ways to wager on the NBA is via NBA player prop bets. There are...

Data Skrive

Apr 20, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday at 4:05 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-11) play Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (9-11) at Oracle Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Arizona take...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

The Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9), who will give the start to Gavin Stone, host the New York Mets (10-8) with Jose Butto on the hill, Saturday at 4:05 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Cardinals vs. Brewers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The St. Louis Cardinals (9-11), who will give the ball to Miles Mikolas, host the Milwaukee Brewers (12-6) with D.L. Hall on the hill, Saturday at 2:15 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the St. Louis-Milwaukee matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cubs vs. Marlins: Live Stream or on TV

The Chicago Cubs (12-7), with Javier Assad on the hill, host the Miami Marlins (4-16) who will start Jesus Luzardo, at 2:20 PM ET on Saturday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Chicago play Miami...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Twins vs. Tigers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Bailey Ober will take the ball for the Minnesota Twins (6-12) when they host starting pitcher Reese Olson and the Detroit Tigers (11-9) on Saturday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Yankees vs. Rays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Nestor Cortes Jr. takes the mound for the New York Yankees (14-6) when they host starter Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays (11-10) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Reds vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Saturday, Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (10-9) face Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-11), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET at Great American Ball Park.The article below will provide you with everything...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Logan Allen takes the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (14-6) when they host starting pitcher Alex Wood and the Oakland Athletics (8-12) at 6:10 PM ET on Saturday.See how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Athletics and...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (9-10), led by Mitch Haniger, visit Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (4-15) at 8:10 PM ET on Saturday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Seattle-Colorado matchup.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

It Doesn’t Sound Like Matt Garza Will Debut Until Early May and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular