Xavier Nady May Finally Play on Thursday
Chicago Cubs outfielder Xavier Nady is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery last year, and was expected to be ready to do some DH’ing this past weekend. The throwing program he’s on, however, wore him down, and he wasn’t ready to risk jacking up his arm at the plate.
By Thursday, the Cubs think he’ll be ready.
Lou Piniella said they considered using a designated hitter on Wednesday against the Giants so Nady could play. But Carlos Zambrano is starting that day for the Cubs.
“The only problem [with Wednesday] is the ‘Big Z’ is pitching,” Piniella said. “Thursday might be a good day to start [Nady]. Give Big Z an at-bat or two and he’ll be very happy.” Muskat Ramblings.
It’s still not a concern that Nady isn’t batting, but he’ll need to start soon, if only to get his rhythm back. This isn’t just a guy needing Spring Training to get ready for the season - Nady hasn’t faced Major League pitching since April of 2009.
ShareAngel Guzman Has a Tear in His Shoulder, and Things Look Bad
The MRI Chicago Cubs pitcher Angel Guzman had on his throwing shoulder came back with horrible news.
Cubs pitcher Angel Guzman has a significant tear in a ligament in his right shoulder and will not be ready Opening Day. Whether he will undergo surgery is yet to be determined.
“He has a very unstable shoulder,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said on Saturday. “There’s no timeframe of anywhere soon that he’ll be pitching. Obviously, it wasn’t good news.”
Guzman underwent an MRI on his shoulder on Friday after complaining of discomfort. He had not thrown off the mound this spring.
It’s been a difficult few months for Guzman, 28, who injured his right knee running in Venezuela, then five days later, lost his brother, who was shot to death in Caracas on Jan. 11. Guzman, who has been recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, had yet to throw off the mound this spring.
“You just feel terrible for the kid,” Hendry said. “Right when he has success and has great stuff, something has gone wrong. We were very pleased with his throwing in January. It’s a shame.
“At one time, this guy was as good a prospect as [Carlos Zambrano] in the system,” Hendry said of Guzman, whose career has been slowed by shoulder and elbow injuries. “It just seems like it’s been one thing after another. He’s had some success the last couple years with well-above-average stuff and was capable of pitching at any point in the game for you.” cubs.com.
Just terrible for both Guzman and the Cubs, who were counting on Guzman at the back end of the bullpen. Some reports suggest that even if Guzman opts for surgery, it will be of the career-threatening kind.
Obviously it’s not a matter of life and death, but as far as injury news goes, this is about as bad as it gets.
ShareInitial Spring Training Rotation Set
All of the Chicago Cubs’ expected starting pitchers, and those competing to be in the starting rotation, will get a shot in the first week of Cactus League games.
The Cubs have their Cactus League rotation set for the first five games. Randy Wells will get things started Thursday vs. the A’s, with Carlos Zambrano scheduled for Friday vs. the Diamondbacks. Carlos Silva will go Saturday vs. White Sox, and Jeff Samardzija and Tom Gorzelanny will both start Sunday in split squad games. Ryan Dempster goes Monday at Oakland. Sunday is the first of five scheduled split-squad games. Muskat Ramblings.
Mike Parisi and Sean Marshall, who are also gunning for a starting spot, will follow Wells in Thursday’s game. Keep an eye on who keeps starting as the Spring Training schedule wears on - most teams don’t keep their offensive starters in the game much beyond the first half, so getting pitching starts, as opposed to relief appearances, is the best way to test a guy’s starting mettle.
ShareSpring Training Participants
Here’s a helpful recap of the players participating in Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs this year - pitchers and catchers report this week. Thanks to Bruce Miles for putting this together.
Pitchers: Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Ryan Dempster, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow, Jeff Gray, Angel Guzman, Ted Lilly, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Marcos Mateo, Mike Parisi, Blake Parker, David Patton, Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Silva, Jeff Stevens, Randy Wells, Carlos Zambrano
Catchers: Welington Castillo, Koyie Hill, Geovany Soto
Infielders: Jeff Baker, Andres Blanco, Mike Fontenot, Micah Hoffpauir, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot
Outfielders: James Adduci, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin, Kosuke Fukudome, Sam Fuld, Xavier Nady, Alfonso Soriano
Nonroster invitees
Pitchers: Andrew Cashner, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, Jeff Kennard, J.R. Mathes, Vince Perkins, James Russell
Catchers: Robinson Chirinos, Steve Clevenger, Chris Robinson
Infielders: Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, Blake Lalli, Kevin Millar, Chad Tracy, Josh Vitters
Outfielders: Matt Camp, Brett Jackson, Bryan LaHair, Bobby Scales, Brad Snyder
Obvious player to watch: Starlin Castro
Dark-horse candidates to watch: Darwin Barney, Blake Parker
Pitching prospect to watch: Andrew Cashner
Annual Rule 5 pick: Mike Parisi
I’d also suggest watching John Gaub, a lefty with a chance to make the pen, Jeff Stevens, a righty with a chance to make the pen (received from the Indians, together with Gaub and another prospect for Mark DeRosa), and Casey Coleman - the Cubs’ minor league pitcher of the year last year, whom I think could have a very outside shot at landing the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation.
ShareCarlos Zambrano is in Shape, and in Arizona
Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona in 10 days, but that doesn’t stop them from showing up early if they’re so inclined.
And Carlos Zambrano is so inclined. And I am so inclined to say that is so awesome.
“We did it quietly,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “I don’t think he wanted any publicity for that. He’s going about his business well. I think you’re going to get a very well-focused guy who’s determined to rectify last year’s season.”
With Ted Lilly out until May, the onus will be on Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to get off to good starts and stay healthy, keeping the front end of the rotation afloat until Lilly returns. Zambrano stuck to his offseason workout routines, and the Cubs believe he’s committed to staying in shape.
“Carlos was a little heavy last year, there’s no question,” manager Lou Piniella told fans at the Cubs Convention. “He’s another player (besides Geovany Soto) we had a nice conversation with toward the end of the year.
“We said, ‘Look, we need for you to step up and give us 200-plus innings. We need for you to win 18-20 ballgames, the way you’re fully capable of. But to do that, you have to get yourself in better shape, where we don’t have to worry about pitch counts with you.’ ”
Piniella said Zambrano “promised” he would be in better shape and more focused.
“He looks absolutely wonderful, and I think you’ll see a heck of a better performance from him just because of that,” Piniella said. “The mental part of it? He’s mentally strong. He fights himself at times. He needs to harness that a little bit. But you want competitors on the mound, and Carlos certainly competes.” chicagotribune.com.
We’ve been hearing all offseason that Zambrano was in perhaps the best shape of his career, but to hear that he is also kicking it in gear this early probably proves it. Health is always the wild card, but clearly Carlos Zambrano is committed to dominating this year. If he can just keep it fit between the ears, he might just do it.
The status of his upper lip for this Spring Training - recall that Zambrano showed up last year looking like a mustachioed mix of Zorro and Ron Jeremy - has yet to be reported.
ShareRyan Theriot and the Cubs Are Gonna Fight
It was a long way coming, but it now appears inevitable: the Chicago Cubs and Ryan Theriot will have to go to arbitration to settle on Theriot’s 2010 salary. The two sides have stopped negotiating.
Major League Baseball and the players union usually refuse to give out dates to the media in advance of arbitration hearings. The reason is both sides want the independent arbitrator to not have any knowledge or be able to research the cases they will hear. Arbitrators are given cases randomly on the day the case is heard.
Theriot’s agents are asking for $3.4 million. The Cubs’ offer was $2.6 million. Only the two sides can settle for a different salary amount.
Once the case begins, the arbitrator must pick either figure, with no exception.
Theriot made $500,000 in 2009. This will be his first year of arbitration.
The sides have cut off negotiations at this point, so it appears the case will go through the process. ESPN Chicago.
There is at least some precedent in recent years for the Cubs managing to settle with a player even after presumably heading to arbitration. A few years ago, the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano agreed to a contract literally moments before their arbitration hearing was to take place.
Here, however, if Theriot will not accept - at an absolute maximum - $3 million, the Cubs should take him to arbitration. It’s fairly sad given how much of a team player Theriot seems to hold himself out to be, but I suppose I understand wanting to get paid. And, of course, I don’t mean to suggest that a guy has to take less money than he deserves to be a “team player.” It’s just that, well, Theriot’s totally wrong in this case. And further, I think Theriot is only screwing himself into a one-way ticket out the door in 2011.
ShareLive Together, Die Alone: LOST and the Chicago Cubs
“Every man for himself is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here. Now, I found water. Fresh water, up in the valley. I’ll take a group in at first light. If you don’t want to go, then find another way to contribute. Last week most of us were strangers. But we’re all here now. And God knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” - Jack Shephard
I have generally avoided using this space to pontificate on things personal and outside of baseball. I figure you all come here to read about the Cubs, not my thoughts on health care reform. And for a guy who has an obsession with the television show LOST that is equaled only by his obsession with the Cubs, it’s hard not to go off about the show from time to time. Warning: this is one of those times.
But the truth is, this post is as much about the Cubs as it is about LOST. The parallels weaving their way through the show, the Chicago Cubs, and Cubs fandom are worth at least one, little article as we approach tonight’s premiere of the much-anticipated final season and dramatic conclusion of LOST. The article’s a bit longer than our usual fare here at Bleacher Nation, but I think it’s worth your time if you’re a fan of the Cubs or a fan of the show. Keep reading up on the Cubs-LOST crossover.
ShareYou Are Cleared to Resume Hating Jim Edmonds
Remember when Jim Edmonds was a star for the St. Louis Cardinals?
Grr. We hated that guy. He was so … douchey. And so … cocky. When Carlos Zambrano threw at him - twice - Edmonds totally deserved it. Grr. We hated that guy.
But then, after being cast off by the San Diego Padres, the Cubs signed Edmonds to a low risk, low money deal. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he actually produced. And it really suck in Cardinals fans’ craws.
Hooray! We loved that guy!
Still, it felt … wrong. We’re a fickle sort, sure, but such instantaneous love for a guy we’d been trained for so long to hate was difficult to process.
Well I have good news, fellow Cubs fans: Jim Edmonds is making a comeback with the almost-equally-hated Milwaukee Brewers. Grr! We hate that guy!
Edmonds, 40, signed a minor league deal with the Brewers yesterday, who will have until late March to either place him on the Major League roster (and pay him $850k), or release him. At which time we can make a decision, again, as to whether he’s a good guy or a megadouche.
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