Koyie Hill is Free! and Other Bullets

So, I’m in transit today – I’ll be in an airplane from 9ish until 2ish (and then again from about 3ish until 4ish) – and you might be able to tell. Posting should be normal-ish, but I probably won’t be around much in the comments. Behave.

  • When the Cubs outrighted pitcher Andy Sonnanstine off of the 40-man roster late last week, he had the right to refuse the assignment and choose free agency. And, that’s what he did. Sonnanstine came into camp a presumptive favorite to win a bullpen spot as a swing-man/long-man, but the results weren’t there. I can only assume that the coaching staff and front office didn’t like what they were seeing either, otherwise they simply would have sent Sonnanstine to Iowa (he was signed on a Minor League deal) rather than outright him off the 40-man roster. With his departure, the Cubs may have just lost their 10th or 11th starter – in other words, if the Cubs suffer a rash of injuries/trades, you still weren’t going to see his name in lights any time soon.
  • The Cardinals have released Koyie Hill. Let me repeat: the Cardinals have released Koyie Hill. This can mean only one of two things: (1) with LaRussa and Duncan gone, the voodoo magic really has left St. Louis and they can’t reclaim lost souls like they once could, or (2) Koyie Hill is bad at baseball, and organizations with even the tiniest semblance of a clue can see that within a few Spring weeks. I guess it could mean both of those things.
  • Dale Sveum damns Rodrigo Lopez with faint praise: in saying that Lopez has pitched well this Spring, Sveum said, “He’s really comfortable with his slider, which made him as good as he was in ’04 and ’05 with Baltimore. That’s a must pitch for him to get it with a lot more tilt on it, and that’s what he’s had in Spring Training.” Not only did Sveum have to go back seven years to find a time when Lopez was good, he had to include a season in which Lopez put up a 4.90 ERA and an 88 ERA+. Lopez says he hopes he’s done enough to win a rotation spot, but it just isn’t happening. It’s the pen or Iowa for Lopez if he’s to stay with the Cubs.
  • Ken Rosenthal says that the chances Ryan Flaherty sticks on the Orioles are good. The Rule 5 pick from the Cubs has slotted nicely into a utility role, and will probably play a fair bit this year for the O’s. Bad for the Cubs, good for Flaherty. Meanwhile, the Cubs’ other lost Rule 5 pick is Marwin Gonzalez, who’s currently putting up a .148/.303/.185 line in the Spring. He may well be offered back to the Cubs.
  • Carlos Marmol is expected to pitch today after missing some time with a hand cramp, and Kerry Wood will make a couple more appearances before the Spring is over (he’s been dealing with back issues). The Cubs have been remarkably healthy this Spring, but it’s a little unnerving when the back two pitchers in the bullpen are both sitting out.
  • Alfonso Soriano feels good this year, which, yeah, everyone says in Spring Training. Hopefully, in his case, it’s very, very true.
  • The CCO recounts a series of radio interviews by Casey Stern and Jim Bowden over the weekend with Jed Hoyer, Dale Sveum, and a host of Cubs’ players.
  • Doug Padilla (or, I suppose, Doug Padilla’s editor) wins the headline of the week: “Soriano’s ‘big ol’ log’ to stay for now.” I’m sure Mrs. Soriano is relieved.
  • MLBullets over at BCB – I talk about Joba Chamberlain’s gross ankle injury and looming recovery.
  • 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

    The Morel Foul Ball, Madrigal’s D, Busch Heads Up, Langford Respect, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ah, now the obligatory off-day after Opening Day. And an Opening Day loss no less, which always makes today that much better, right ... You could hang on so many things from the opening loss - one-run losses in heavily-scrutinized...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

    The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

    I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

    Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

    ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

    The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

    Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

    Latest News

    Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Miami Marlins (0-1) are favorites (-132) on the moneyline when they square off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0) Friday at 7:10 PM ET, live on BSFL.Miami's Andrew Jacob Puk and Pittsburgh's Martin Perez have been named the starters for...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) and Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) meet Friday at Tropicana Field, starting at 6:50 PM ET on SNET. The Rays are -122 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Blue Jays are favored against the spread...

    Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The New York Yankees (1-0) visit the Houston Astros (0-1) for a road game on Friday at 8:10 PM ET.The Astros will look to Cristian Javier versus the Yankees and Carlos Rodon.Astros vs. Yankees Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Bet $5 with FanDuel Promo Code, Win $200 Bonus Including NCAA Tournament

    This weekend is packed with great sports action including the NCAA Tournament, MLB, and NBA for bettors. Check out the FanDuel promo code to score a $200 bonus if your first $5 bet wins! If you live in NC, you...

    DraftKings Promo Code: Get $150 for $5 Bet on College Basketball and More Sports

    This time of the year on the sports calendar is truly special with the MLB season starting, college basketball in full swing, and much more! Don't miss out on the chance to grab a bonus by using the latest DraftKings...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) play on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) at Tropicana Field. The game is set to start at 6:50 PM ET on Friday.The Rays will call on Aaron Civale versus the Blue Jays...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0) play on Friday in Miami against the Miami Marlins (0-1). First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET.The Marlins will call on Andrew Jacob Puk against the Pirates and Martin Perez.Marlins vs. Pirates Pitcher Matchup and Game...

    Duke vs Houston Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a couple of number-one seeds in March Madness action tonight including Houston (32-4) as the Cougars take on Duke (26-8). Check out the odds and more for Duke vs Houston which tips off tonight at 9:39 pm ET...

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoyed a successful 2023 season, capturing their third straight NFC South title and pushing the Detroit Lions in a thrilling Divisional Round matchup. This strong showing translates to a relatively stable roster with few glaring weaknesses...

    NC State vs Marquette Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    March Madness matchups bring us a great battle tonight as 11-seed NC State battles 2-seed Marquette. Check out the odds, stats, and more for NC State vs Marquette which tips off at 7:09 pm ET tonight. NC State vs Marquette...

    more cubs news