It was a workout day – the first technical one – for Cubs pitchers and catchers, which means the pitchers were all out throwing, and that was mighty nice to see.
Reigning Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta spoke a bit about the mentions this offseason that the Cubs would be trying to protect their starting pitchers a bit more by starting them later in the spring, and perhaps limiting their innings in the early going of the season. You can see a nice video of some of his comments here at the Tribune.
[adinserter block=”1″]In short, Arrieta admits that he was gassed in his last two starts of the year, and, although it’s great to go eight or nine innings every time, it’s wise to monitor those things, especially early in the season.
So, then, you should expect to see (1) Arrieta appear in spring games later this year, and (2) pitch shorter outings earlier in the season. That’s consistent with what we’ve been projecting over the past couple months, based on comments from the front office and Joe Maddon, plus just a natural sense of how the roster is being constructed (i.e., if you’ve got a bunch of super utility pitchers in the bullpen who can go multiple quality innings, put them to use).
As for Opening Day (night), you can assume Arrieta will get the ball, though Maddon hasn’t made it official yet (Carrie Muskat).
Among the other fun things to check out, some videos:
Stretch it out… It's go time in Mesa! #Cubs # SpringTraining #MLB pic.twitter.com/JJ5PIXTQXI
— Kelly Crull (@Kelly_Crull) February 20, 2016
Warren, Wood, Lester throwing bullpens: pic.twitter.com/I9Cn9Zm43c
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2016
And Al Yellon got several more (collected here) of the drills, like good old pitcher field practice:
Some Cubs pitcher pictures:
Sutcliffe and new #Cubs Warren pic.twitter.com/AwhOuVdxDe
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 20, 2016
Aaron Crow working on his delivery: pic.twitter.com/2i6SPZgIiu
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 20, 2016
Jokisch Riefenhauser Gomes Beeler Rucinski pic.twitter.com/hiaMWaFQcG
— John Arguello (@CubsDen) February 20, 2016
Sutcliffe lends advice to Neil Ramirez: pic.twitter.com/bY12EbJcyg
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 20, 2016
Watch out, windows:
Schwarber gettin' some cuts in. Be on alert @safelite pic.twitter.com/UcwWGfDfVJ
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2016
It had to be done:
Does the fact that Brothers and Grimm were throwing next to each other ensure a fairytale season for #Cubs? Had to ask.
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) February 20, 2016
Fun with Dad David Ross:
.@Cubs @JasonHeyward and I found @D_Ross3 shopping at dicks getting ready for his last Friday day! #kneeSavers pic.twitter.com/fCw8YfvbVk
— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) February 20, 2016
@D_Ross3 yelling just now: "I don't want to hit w Schwarber's group! Put me in with the pitchers. Have to build my confidence."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 20, 2016