Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 5, Padres 2 – March 18, 2013

cactusIn case you missed it amidst the Cubs-signing-$3.1-million-Cuban-prospecting, the Scott-Baker-elbow-teeth-gnashing, or the Cubs-moving-to-Rosemont-speculating, the Cubs played a Cactus League game today. And won!

  • Dave Sappelt really wants to make the Cubs. He hit his third homer of the Spring today, and he’s blistering hot of late after a cool start to the Spring. I’ve pegged Sappelt as the 5th outfielder since day one, thanks largely to his right-handed bat and outfield versatility (his spot on the 40-man roster doesn’t hurt), and I see no reason to waiver from that. It’s tough luck for someone like Brian Bogusevic, who’s done everything he can this Spring, but that’s the way roster battles in the Spring work.
  • Also really, really wanting to make the roster? Brent Lillibridge. He cannot be stopped. He had another couple hits today, including a triple. He’s nearly hitting .500 on the Spring (not that that’s why he’d make the team – in his case, it’s all about whether the Cubs like/need his versatility; and let’s not ignore the fact that he could be a very valuable trade chip if the 2011 version shows up in the first half).
  • Edwin Jackson had a very crisp outing today, going six innings (76 pitches), giving up one earned run on three hits and a walk. He struck out three. His velocity was solid, and he’s looking like he’s ready for the season.
  • Drew Carpenter followed Jackson with a scoreless frame, striking out two. I don’t think he’s going to be a major factor in the bullpen competition, but I don’t want to overlook him. He’s had a nice Spring, has a nice pedigree in recent years (especially in the bullpen), and could be a legitimately good middle reliever. If it weren’t for Dale Sveum’s he’s-our-sixth-starter comments, I’d probably be higher on him as a bullpen candidate.
  • Zach Putnam – a legit bullpen candidate – didn’t fare so well, which has become a regular thing in recent days. He isn’t getting blown out of his appearances, but he seems to be giving up a run or two each time out, after a dominant start to his Spring. Today, he gave up three hits and an earned run in his inning of work.
  • Hector Rondon, the Cubs’ Rule 5 pick, got the 9th, and it was another scoreless outing. He’s given the Cubs very little reason not to keep him this year, assuming they were already disposed to doing so (and, since they took him in the Rule 5, I reckon they were).
  • Jorge Soler and Javier Baez played today, but they had forgettable outings, so I’ll forget them. They head to minor league camp tomorrow.
  • 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

    Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

    I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

    Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

    The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

    The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

    Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

    Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

    Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

    How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

    24 Years Ago Today, Glenallen Hill Hit a Home Run ONTO a Wrigley Field Rooftop

    In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...

    Latest News

    Nikola Jokic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Nikola Jokic must make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Nikola Jokic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

    Michael Porter Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Michael Porter Jr. needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Michael Porter Jr.'s...

    Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Anthony Edwards' Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point over/under, he needs to make three from downtown.Anthony Edwards' Three-Pointer...

    Jamal Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    On Sunday at 8:00 PM ET, the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and Jamal Murray's 3-pointer over/under for this matchup requires two trifectas.Jamal Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

    Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Karl-Anthony Towns' Minnesota Timberwolves play the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and to beat his 3-point prop, he must make two from downtown.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

    Player prop betting options for Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic and others are available in the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets matchup at Target Center on Sunday (starting at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Timberwolves vs. NuggetsDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 8:00 PM...

    Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

    I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    Braves vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 12, 2024

    The Atlanta Braves (24-12) visit the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET Sunday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Marcell Ozuna has racked up 12 homers this season (No. 1 in...

    more cubs news