Just About Done Discussing Call-Up Dates and Service Time and Other Bullets

Mar 28, 2015

I took The Little Boy to visit The Mom this weekend, so I’m writing quickly in order to maximize the time for activities …

It’s a very important story, and I’m not going to ignore it simply because of burnout. But I’m not going to say a ton at this point, because I feel like I’ve said (and everyone else has said) all there is to say. So, read this Cubs.com piece or this ESPN piece or this CSN piece if you want more on Kris Bryant/Theo Epstein/Scott Boras service time and call-up stuff. Short version: Epstein reiterates that anything that happens is purely a baseball decision (no decision made yet), and Bryant thinks he can be the guy to make the Opening Day roster, even if Epstein says he’s never once done it in 13 years of leading baseball organizations (having a young player make his MLB debut on Opening Day, that is). Whatever the many factors leading to whatever the Cubs decide, they’re going to what they believe is the best combination of “good for the organization” and “good for Bryant” – there’s never going to be a perfect harmony between those two things in these situations, but you do the best you can. And in Epstein’s long, successful experience, the answer has been to debut youngsters after the season has started (and probably on the road).

On less-traveled note, Bryant told the Tribune that he enjoyed facing Jared Weaver the other day, even though he struck out three times. “It’s good for me to struggle,” he said. I agree completely, and I love that he thinks about it that way. Very little has been a struggle for Bryant in his baseball career thus far, but that won’t be the case once he gets to the big leagues for good. The struggle is a good thing, and part of the process.

Paul Sullivan writes about the player inconveniences of the ongoing Wrigley Field renovation. Like the fans, the players will have to have a little patience.

Jeff Samardzija said it was a little weird to pitch against the Cubs – who went deep on him four times – and he sees some “feast or famine” ahead for the team this year (ESPN). I think he’s probably right about that, given the extreme power, extreme swings, and extreme youth.

A couple of big, potential injuries around baseball: Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez has something wrong with his elbow, has gotten an MRI, and it “found something.” The details aren’t out yet, as he’s getting a second opinion. Not sure what the Red Sox would do if they lost Vazquez for a significant chunk of the season – Ryan Hanigan could be the starter, I suppose, but Blake Swihart is just 22 with 18 games above AA.

The other big, potential injury is a familiar one: Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been feeling soreness in his surgically-repaired knee. It’s unfortunate, but injuries seem to have really derailed his career.

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

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

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...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

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....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

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...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NBA Picks

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...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Wurth 400 Odds from Dover Motor Speedway

Betting

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...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

News

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...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bulls

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...