NEWSLETTER
Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs played two games largely without three infielders likely to make the 25-man roster: Ian Stewart, Darwin Barney, and Blake DeWitt.
Stewart and Barney were late scratches after being penciled in to the lineups (I guess that’s why they use pencil, eh?), though neither is believed to be dealing with a serious injury. Stewart has a sore right quad, but had an MRI, which revealed no damage. Barney strained his side during batting practice earlier in the week, and sat out for precautionary reasons. The two are considered day to day.
As for DeWitt, he was able to play a bit yesterday before he took a pitch off the hand. He went in for x-rays, but the results haven’t yet been revealed. On the bright side, DeWitt apparently took the pitch off his side of his right hand, below the pinky, and told trainers he was pretty sure he was OK. If he’s not, DeWitt probably lost his spot on the Opening Day roster.
For the most part, the Cubs have had a healthy Spring, so a few bumps and bruises were bound to turn up. If this is the worst of it, the Cubs will have had a successful Spring.
