A Report Says Ryan Braun Did Not Take PEDs and Other Bullets

My Yu Darvish hangover is taking but one insidious form: tiredness. I’ll have more thoughts later today on the implications of Darvish going to the Rangers, and some more rumor-y goodness (because, hey, that’s all we have this Winter). And there’s a new front office hire to discuss, together with a possible break in the ongoing Theo Epstein compensation saga. Until then, Bullets…

  • A spokesman for Yoenis Cespedes says the 26-year-old Cuban is expected to finally gain residency in the Dominican Republic this week. There is a two-week process with the Office of Foreign Affairs Control that follows, and then Cespedes should reach free agency at some point in January. Cespedes’ rep called the Cubs one of seven teams who have the most interest in the outfielder.
  • The Cardinals may be looking to snake Coco Crisp from the Cubs, that is, if the Cubs are actually interested in Crisp (who wouldn’t have a place to place unless the Cubs are ready to jettison Alfonso Soriano or Marlon Byrd). Who knows – maybe the Cardinals are just trying to drive up the price on Crisp for the Cubs. Fortunately, driving up the price on Crisp might mean an extra $500k. Not quite like driving up on the price on Albert Pujols…
  • In Carrie Muskat’s latest mailbag, among other things, she discusses Andrew Cashner’s continued recovery from a repeat strained rotator cuff. Cashner’s stint in the Arizona Fall League appears not to have caused him any issues, and he’s on track to be a part of the team in 2012. Whether that’s in the bullpen or the rotation remains to be seen. If he can start, he’s got more value there, but, after a year of shoulder problems and almost no innings pitched, it’s a good bet Cashner will work out of the pen in 2012.
  • TMZ reports that Ryan Braun’s positive banned substance test was triggered not by a performance-enhancing drug, but instead by a medication he’s taking for “a private medical issue.” There were unconfirmed, thinly-sourced RUMORS floating around the Internet last week, which *I’m not saying are true,* that Braun’s positive test was the result of herpes medication (which I’m not saying is true – if you read this as me saying Ryan Braun has herpes, you are mistaken. I am not saying that. At all.), and this TMZ report seems like it’s alluding to those RUMORS. I am merely passing along the TMZ report. That is all I’m doing. As for what the report would mean for Braun’s pending 50-game suspension, it probably doesn’t impact it. There’s a process by which a player can be cleared to take a certain medication. If that had taken place, none of this would be happening. Absent that, MLB has a strict liability rule for positive tests: if you took the stuff, you take the punishment. The only known way out is if you were slipped a mickey, as it were.
  • A great article on the thoughts that go into making a trade like the one the Reds and Padres put together this weekend (Mat Latos for Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Brad Boxberger, and Edinson Volquez), as it relates to the Rangers’ decision to go after a starting pitcher on the trade market. It’s not a source of rumors mind you – just a really well-written, thought-provoking article.
  • The guy who thought he was placing a bomb at Wrigley Field last year may be close to taking a plea deal. If bombs weren’t so serious, I might joke that “at least that guy had the right idea about blowing the team up and rebuilding.” But I wouldn’t do that.
  • written by

    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

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

    Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

    Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

    Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

    Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

    It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

    In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

    My God, Jordan Wicks … Save Some Awesomeness for the Rest of us!

    Cubs rookie starter Jordan Wicks has been impressing us all season long with his apparent offseason transformation (which led to more velocity on his heater and movement on his slider). But last night against the Astros? That was a whole...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Phillies vs. Reds: Live Stream or on TV

    The Philadelphia Phillies (15-9), with Zack Wheeler on the hill, visit the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) who will start Nick Martinez, at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday in the rubber match of the series.See how to watch the Philadelphia-Cincinnati matchup below.When...

    Brewers vs. Pirates: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), with Freddy Peralta on the hill, visit the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) who will hand the ball to Mitch Keller, at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Find out how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is Brewers vs....

    Dodgers vs. Nationals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (14-11) visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (10-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 4:05 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...

    Magic vs. Cavaliers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers are slight 1.5-point underdogs for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on NBA. The Cavaliers have a 2-0...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    Wurth 400 Odds from NASCAR Dover Motor Speedway: Betting Bubba Wallace at the Monster Mile

    The Monster Mile roars to life this Sunday and the 2024 Wurth 400 odds have been revealed! Dover Motor Speedway welcomes NASCAR for its annual racing weekend and unlike last week’s Geico 500 from Talladega Superspeedway, the race favorites are...

    2024 Zurich Classic Tee Times, TV Channel, Live Stream

    The fleur-de-lis flags are flying, and the beignets are hot! The 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans tees off this Thursday, bringing back the PGA Tour's electrifying two-man team format. TPC Louisiana is set to be buzzing with a unique...

    Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese Officially Introduced, And She Sounds Motivated

    The new face of the Chicago Sky franchise officially arrived on Wednesday. Angel Reese met with media members at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield. The former LSU standout and NCAA National Champion is only nine days removed from hearing...

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

    At 9:30 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the New Orleans Pelicans versus the Oklahoma City Thunder -- with Jonas Valančiūnas needing to connect only once from beyond the...

    more cubs news