Ian Stewart Getting Another MRI and Other Bullets

Brett Taylor

Mar 18, 2013

If you’re a March Madness type of person and you’re looking for a (free) pool to jump in, King Jeff over at the Message Board set one up for BN, and you can get the details on joining there.

Ian Stewart didn’t get into a minor league game again yesterday (he hasn’t since Thursday), and instead is scheduled to have another MRI on his strained quad today. There isn’t necessarily a new injury here, but you don’t cancel your game/rehab plans, and instead schedule a second MRI, unless something is wrong. Even if today’s MRI comes back clean, Stewart is feeling something, and isn’t going to get into games for several days at least. By then, we’ve entered the zone where, as quickly as players can get ready for the season, Stewart might not have enough time to get ready for Opening Day, even if he’s entirely healthy. It’s a frustrating situation, especially given that it has nothing to do with his wrist … which might be totally fixed. Grumble.

Dale Sveum was cagey, as usual, when asked about Stewart’s latest issue. “I don’t know if he’s got enough time [to open the season with the Major League team,” Sveum told the media. “It’ll be interesting.”

The piece about Scott Baker’s starter yesterday that bothers me? No, it wasn’t the result – which was ugly – it was the reported 85 mph fastball. That could have been by design (and helps explain the results), and it’s not like you’d expect Baker to be throwing in the mid-90s at this poing in Spring Training regardless of his surgery recovery. But Baker has been a low-90s guy for his entire career, so that’s where you’re going to want him to be by the time he starts going in the regular season. Mid-80s is a long way off.

For his part, Baker said the things you’d expect him to say about the outing. “Results are one thing, but getting back out there and pitching in front of fans was something I haven’t done yet, so it’s exciting to get out there and do that today,” Baker told reporters after his appearance, per Carrie Muskat. “I felt like I made some decent pitches. Occasionally I got a little jumpy and left the ball up a little bit. I was happy to be out there. It’s another step. You go back and work on the things that, regardless of whether you had surgery or not, you work on those things mechanically and just go get them next time …. Did I locate as well as I would like to? No. That’s still part of the process, also. It’s another step. The results weren’t there. Physically, I did everything I could to prepare for this outing, and that’s going to continue to be the case. As long as I continue to progress and build the pitch count up, we’re still shooting for that mid-April time frame.” As long as he feels OK, Baker will continue to pitch every fifth day from here on out.

Physically, Carlos Marmol feels as good as he had in years. Excellent.

Rafael Dolis, who wasn’t likely to make the team, had to leave his game yesterday with a blister problem. Those things can linger and really affect performance, so hopefully he knocks it out quickly.

Quote machine Carlos Villanueva on why he doesn’t talk to players on the opposing team before a game: “I don’t want to see you or talk to you before the game, because if I have to put one in your neck – hopefully it doesn’t come to that – I won’t feel as comfortable doing it. Outside of the stadium, we can chat all you want. In here, sorry.” I like that he said neck. Sounds more badass.

Remember how the Cubs probably signed Cuban pitching prospect Armando Rivero? Well, they definitely signed him. Now we just need to figure out if he’s any good.

‘The Simpsons’ took a shot at the Cubs last week (kid-becomes-bully-because-he’s-a-Cubs-fan-derr-herr-herr), which is probably fair (h/t to BN’er Nate for passing it on). Also, it was bound to happen after, what, 700 episodes? (I’m a bitter ‘Simpsons’ fan – I was all about it in its glory years, and as I was a teenager/college student, but have given it up in the last half decade. It just stopped resonating, and, sadly, being funny.)

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, 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

Cubs “Have Checked In” on Recovering, But Dominant Free-Agent Reliever Brooks Raley

Here's an interesting new rumor for Sunday morning. According to Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are one of the teams who've checked in on free-agent left-handed reliever Brooks Raley - he of a 2.58 ERA over his...

Michael Cerami

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

IFA Week and the Cubs Class, Festa and Good Weird, More Funds, Woodruff, and Other Cubs Bullets

Thoughts are still with the folks out west, dealing with the terrible wildfires. Scary to hear that more winds are coming once, which could exacerbate things again. Hopefully there will be enough respite soon to get these under control. The...

Brett Taylor

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Reading Roki Sasaki Tea Leaves: Did an International Prospect Change Just Spill the Beans?

Everyone is understandably looking for tea leaves in the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, and one of the most obvious ones we all pointed out to anticipate was the breaking of handshake deals with International Free Agent signings. If a team started...

Brett Taylor

Jan 12, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Farewell, Jorge Lopez – He’s Signing with the Nationals

By the time the Cubs had added Colin Rea, or even earlier with the Eli Morgan trade or the Cody Poteet acquisition or the Matt Festa claim or the Caleb Thielbar signing or some combination of those plus the many...

Brett Taylor

Jan 11, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Thinking Through the Cubs’ Moves, Roles and Funds, Rea, Hoffman, and Other Cubs Bullets

I believe I have shoveled more in the last week than I did all winter before this week, plus last winter, combined. I don't really hate it THAT much, at least now that I have a much better back situation,...

Brett Taylor

Jan 11, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Blue Jays Land Jeff Hoffman on a Three-Year Deal

This would've been a very good signing for the Chicago Cubs. Sensibly-priced given the talent and market, and a pretty critical need. But the Cubs of the current front office simply DO NOT give out reliever contracts like this: OFFICIAL:...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Signing Old Friend and Former Brewers Starter Colin Rea

The Cubs have made a pitching addition today, though it's probably not among the names you had on your radar for a significant move. It's old friend Colin Rea: Free agent right-hander Colin Rea and the #Cubs have agreed to...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

The Roki Sasaki Vibes Ain’t Great, Babe

To be clear, the vibes on the Chicago Cubs landing Roki Sasaki should never have been particularly high to begin with, and I've done my best to keep folks' hopes in check from the jump. The rumors on the Dodgers...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

MLB Rumors have also reached Mets slugger Pete Alonso

Chicago Cubs

Lukewarm Stove: Short-Term for Both Bregman and Alonso? Does Cabrera Make Sense for Cubs? More

MLB RUMORS — Well, we're officially in a holding pattern. The big-time free-agent relievers are still standing by for Tanner Scott to set the market (Andrew Kittredge notwithstanding). Pete Alonso and Alex Bregman are in no man's land and are...

Michael Cerami

Jan 10, 2025

Chicago Cubs

The Whole Tucker Thing, Mastrobuoni’s DFA, Franklin on the Mound, and Other Cubs Bullets

'Conclave' was good. I don't have much more to say than that, especially since I'm way late on watching it, and also because I don't know much about how realistic it is. Just an interesting, well-paced story to enjoy. The...

Brett Taylor

Jan 10, 2025

Picks

NHL Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – January 13

Anytime goal-scorer odds for players from across the NHL are listed below, with three games on the NHL calendar Monday.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime Goal OddsSam Reinhart (Panthers) +145 to scorePanthers vs. FlyersGame Time: 7 p.m. ET on...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

Picks

Rublev vs. Fonseca Prediction at the Australian Open – Tuesday, January 14

In the Round of 128 at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Joao Fonseca (ranked No. 112) meets Andrey Rublev (No. 9).Against the underdog Fonseca (+120), Rublev is the favorite (-150) to advance.Australian Open InfoTournament: The Australian OpenRound: Round of 128Date:...

Data Skrive

Jan 10, 2025

Picks

Halys vs. Fils Prediction at the Australian Open – Tuesday, January 14

In the Round of 64 at the Australian Open on Tuesday, Quentin Halys (ranked No. 74) takes on Arthur Fils (No. 21).Fils is favored over Halys, with -500 odds compared to the underdog's +333.Australian Open InfoTournament: The Australian OpenRound: Round...

Data Skrive

Jan 12, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Loyola (MD) Greyhounds vs. American Eagles Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Loyola (MD) Greyhounds (6-9) bring a four-game slide into a home matchup with the American Eagles (0-15), losers of 15 straight.Loyola (MD) dropped its previous game to Navy, 63-59, on Saturday. Amandine Amorich was its high scorer with 20...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

Howard vs. Coppin State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Howard Bison (9-8) will attempt to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Coppin State Eagles (11-8) on January 13, 2025 at Burr Gymnasium.Howard won its previous game against Morgan State, 75-56, on Saturday. Saniyah King...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

South Carolina State vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks (5-12) aim to stop a seven-game road losing streak when they visit the South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-17) on January 13, 2025.In its previous game, South Carolina State defeated Delaware State on Saturday, 68-62. Shaunice Reed...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

Grambling vs. Florida A&M Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

SWAC play features the Grambling Tigers (4-10) at home against the Florida A&M Rattlers (4-9) on Monday, January 13, 2025 at 6:30 PM ET.Grambling dropped its previous game to Bethune-Cookman, 70-52, on Saturday. Alyssa Phillip led the way with 11...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch LSU Tigers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The LSU Tigers (18-0) will attempt to extend an 18-game win streak when they host the Vanderbilt Commodores (14-3) on January 13, 2025 at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.In its most recent game, LSU defeated Tennessee on Thursday, 89-87. Aneesah Morrow...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Morgan State Bears vs. Norfolk State Spartans Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Morgan State Bears (9-9) hope to continue a seven-game home winning streak when they host the Norfolk State Spartans (15-4) on January 13, 2025.In its previous game, Morgan State lost to Howard on Saturday, 75-56. Naya Ojukwu scored a...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

How to Watch

How to Watch Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers Women’s Basketball: Live Stream or on TV

The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2-10) take a seven-game losing streak into a home matchup with the Prairie View A&M Panthers (3-9), who have lost three straight.On Saturday, in its most recent game, UAPB fell to Alabama A&M 66-52. With...

Data Skrive

Jan 13, 2025

Ian Stewart Getting Another MRI and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News