Matt Garza is Yipping and Other Bullets

May 17, 2012

My hotel is plenty nice, and I’m overall satisfied. But if you’re going to do heavy construction in the room areas, you could probably wait until after 6:30am.

There were a couple of roster moves last night, the first of which you saw late in the game. Scott Maine was called up to replace Lendy Castillo, who hit the disabled list with a sore groin. Remember, if the Cubs want to keep Castillo, a Rule 5 pick, he’s got to spend at least 90 days on the active roster (not on the DL), so the team is only about halfway there. Perhaps he’ll come back in a month or so, when the Cubs decide they’re more able to have a guy stashed in the pen whom they can’t actually trust to put in the game.

The other roster move was a 40-man move, as Blake DeWitt – who was designated for assignment about 10 days ago – cleared waivers, and was outrighted to AAA Iowa. He now has to decide, once again, if he’ll accept the assignment (and keep his $1.1 million contract), or reject it, and become a free agent (and lose his contract). He’ll probably swallow his pride and accept the assignment. By my count, the Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 38.

Matt Garza has the yips. He just does. Ever since throwing away a shutout into the stands a while back, Garza can’t throw the ball to first base. I’ve counted no fewer than four throws to first directly into the ground since then, and it’s obviously in Garza’s head. But you wouldn’t know it by listening to Garza. “The first one, I had no time,” Garza said. “[Pierre] was out of the box I think before I even released the ball so I just picked it up and flipped it over as quick as I could. The second one, I get up and I’m about to throw it, and [Geovany Soto] tells me, ‘Don’t throw it, don’t throw it,’ and I was like, ‘I’m already going forward.’ Right there, if you’re thinking about ‘don’t throw it’ and you’re going, you’re not going to throw it where it needs to go …. It’s not a big thing. I’ll keep going. If all teams are going to do is bunt against me, we’re going to have some quick games. I’m not too worried about that. They’ll have to hit a single to score.”

Steve Clevenger is swinging the bat pain-free, and is hoping to return to the Cubs by May 25. “We are going to take it lightly over the next day or two and then increase the workload,” he said. “The medical staff is surprised. This was supposed to be a four- to six- week injury, and I’m ahead of that timetable.” If all goes well, he’ll go on a minor league rehab stint next week.

Dale Sveum reads Bleacher Nation? Well, not according to the man, himself, who told Patrick Mooney last evening, “I don’t read the papers. I’m not a guy that Tweets, or whatever you call that thing. I’m not a big computer guy. I don’t read the news.” But when discussing the Cubs’ hard-luck, walk-off loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday, Dale said: “You know somebody’s got to lose that night. Put it that way. [When you do], you dwell on it for a little while. Maybe [it’s] ‘should-a, would-a, could-a,’ but I don’t take it home with me. That would … drive you crazy.” From the Series Preview yesterday morning: “The Cubs head home to Chicago after a 1-1 series split in St. Louis (coulda, woulda, shoulda) to take on the Phillies for two games….” Ah ha! Proof positive! (I kid this time. I think that was probably just a coincidence. It’s not quite like using the same phrase “yukking it up.”)

I enjoyed the panel discussion by Carrie Muskat, Bears kicker (and heavy Twitter user) Robbie Gould, and Cubs’ PR and Marketing Specialist Kevin Saghy at last evening’s Social Media Night. Carrie was candid and funny.

Finally, some very sad news to pass along. Regular commenter, member of the community, and friend, Ty, has passed away. We all appreciated his thoughts and his passion for the game. He will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

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

Brewers Pitcher Jakob Junis Taken Off Field in an Ambulance After Being Struck by BP Ball

A very scary scene in Pittsburgh, where Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jakob Junis, currently on the IL with a shoulder impingement, took a batting practice ball off the neck and went down. Junis was apparently on the ground for a long...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner is Back to Being Nico Hoerner

On April 9, I took an early look at Nico Hoerner's apparently evolving approach at the plate, which featured a lot more patience and a lot more big hacks. Effectively, it seemed like he was trying for a little more...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Spencer Strider Speaks (His and Other Pitcher Arm Injuries), Shohei Ohtani’s Latest Milestone, More

There's been much debate about pitcher arm injuries lately, much of it sparked by Spencer Strider's season-ending Tommy John surgery, and Strider spoke to the media for the first time since the injury on Friday. Spencer Strider on pitcher arm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Lefty Pitching Prospect Mitchell Tyranski

A new signing popped up on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log: lefty Mitchell Tyranski. Tyranski, 26, put up a 3.83 ERA over 42.1 innings at High-A last year in the Dodgers organization, striking out 47 and walking 21. Were you...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs Have TWO of the Early Front-Runners for NL Rookie of the Year

We already dove deep into Shota Imanaga's latest impressive start against the Marlins yesterday. And there's been no shortage of love for Michael Busch this season either. But I do want to take this time to illustrate just how good...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

My Expectations and Realistic Hope for the Cubs VERY Tough Upcoming Schedule

Even though Sunday ended in a loss for the Chicago Cubs, we did get some good news in the form of positive injury updates. Ian Happ (hamstring) was available off the bench and could be good to go tomorrow, when...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Aaron Boone Just Got Ejected Despite Saying Literally Nothing

I know that sometimes there is a history between an umpire and a manager. I know that sometimes a manager can subtly get under the skin of an umpire without doing much that we can see or hear. And I...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024: Weekend Wrap

Let's get caught up on all of the action down on the farm in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | April 22, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs (13-8) The Cubs were swept in a doubleheader by the Louisville Bats...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Looking at the Positives, Bellinger and Morel Streaking (in Opposite Directions), and Other Cubs Bullets

What started as a small convo for the bullets ballooned into a deeper dive on Kyle Hendricks, what's going wrong, and where the Cubs go from here. So if you're looking for the Hendricks discussion, that was earlier today. Despite...

Michael Cerami

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Latest 2024 MLB Mock Draft Lands the Cubs a Top Prospect Out of Wake Forest

Baseball America today released its updated (version 2.0) 2024 MLB mock draft. With more of the amateur season taking place, we are starting to see more of the top tier become firmly crystalized with eight names, none of whom are...

Brett Taylor

Apr 22, 2024

NBA Picks

Bucks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 1-point underdogs in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, beginning at 8:30 PM ET on NBA. The Bucks are ahead 1-0 in...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves are slight 3-point favorites in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on Tuesday, starting at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Timberwolves hold a 1-0 series...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

NBA Picks

Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers bring a 0-1 series record into Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks are favored by 2.5 points in the matchup, which airs on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. The point...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

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

On Tuesday, Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) take on Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with first pitch scheduled for 7:45 PM ET at Busch Stadium.See how to watch the St. Louis-Arizona matchup below.When is Cardinals...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Hurricanes vs. Islanders NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Carolina Hurricanes are at the New York Islanders on April 25 at 7:30 PM ET, and are -155 favorites, with the home team at +130.Hurricanes vs. Islanders Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Hurricanes (-155)Underdog: Islanders (+130)Total: 5.5Best Hurricanes vs. Islanders Promo...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The bookmakers are expecting a close contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins on Wednesday in Toronto, with the Maple Leafs given moneyline odds of -115 and the Bruins at -105.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

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

Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (11-13) host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (12-10) at 9:45 PM ET on Tuesday.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Francisco take on New York.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Orioles vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 9:38 PM ET, Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) face Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.See how to watch the Baltimore-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Orioles vs. Angels and...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Texas Rangers are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a three-game series, with the action getting underway at 8:05 PM ET on Tuesday, April 23.Rangers vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rangers Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 8:05 PM ET...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros Series April 23-25: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Houston Astros will be on the road, beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Astros Series Info Astros @ Cubs Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs...

Data Skrive

Apr 22, 2024

Matt Garza is Yipping and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular