Spring Training Miscellany: Butler Shape, Pena Look, Buss Style, Javy Glove, More

It’s Monday, it’s Presidents Day, and it’s the beginning Spring Training Week Two.

It was a rain-soaked weekend without too much to discuss, so it’s nice that the guys were back at it today. Let’s check in on some miscellany from Cubs’ Camp …

  • It’s not exactly showing up to camp in the “best shape of his life,” but …
  • Eddie Butler, of course, is the former top prospect the Cubs got from the earlier this offseason Rockies. With Butler’s obvious upside, but limited production thus far, Crasnick is right that he’s among the most intriguing change of scenery guys out there. As for the extra weight, well, without more information on the type and reason for the gain, it’s impossible to make anything of it.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • Our friend John Arguello got some nice shots of Felix Pena, adding that he’s looking good and ready to go:
  • After starting 23 Double-A games back in 2015, Pena made the move to the bullpen in 2016 and even wound up making 11 appearances at the Major League level. In 2017, he’ll probably head to Triple-A Iowa to begin the year (though he’ll be in the big league competition if an opening pops up), where he’ll serve as depth for the Major League bullpen. For now. Before the year is up, he figures to be a contributor.
  • Also, click through to Arguello’s Twitter account for a number of other great, close-up shots of the players.
  • Mark Gonzales has a series of great videos, including Brett Anderson on adjusting to life with the Cubs, some more Jason Heyward batting practice, and the Cubs strength and conditioning coach Tim Buss leading warmups in a top hat and sports coat. Speaking of which:
  • Clearly, manager Joe Maddon’s way of doing things has spread.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Although it’s not explicitly Cubs-related, I thought you’d all enjoy this (cue Ron Paul.gif):
  • The @Cubs Twitter account added some good BP photos:
  • And Carrie Muskat has an awesome shot of Baez’s special edition glove:
  • It’s so small! But sweet!
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

  • Sahadev Sharma has some shots of the Cubs’ center fielders getting loose:
  • Center fielders getting loose

    A post shared by Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) on

  • New Cubs pitcher Koji Uehara speaking with reporters after his first live bullpen session:
  • The World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist, and Jason Heyward signing some autographs for fans:
  • [adinserter block=”4″]

  • Speaking of Heyward:
  • Assistant GM Shiraz Rehman was at camp today:
  • Munenori Kawasaki taking BP:
  • The next bromance beginning to bloom?:
  • [adinserter block=”5″]

  • The countdown continues:
  • Every day:
  • And, in conclusion, “We were praying for you” … “It worked”:
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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