Most of camp is in full swing for the Cubs, even as position players do not officially have to report until this weekend. Notably – and understandably! – one of the few positional Cubs not yet in camp is Kris Bryant. The same is true for Nolan Arenado and the Rockies, which I’m sure furthers the speculation.
Anyway, elsewhere around camp …
Albert Almora, coming off a bad year, says he wasn’t in a good place mentally at the end of last season. Also, he’s revamped his swing: “Its visibly different.”
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 13, 2020
Almora said he needed time to “disconnect” over offseason. Was in a bad mental place at season’s end and confided in trusted people close to him to work through it. Then, got to work on offensive approach and swing (says changes will be visible) and feels he’s in great spot now.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 13, 2020
@albertalmora on feeling more “organized” pic.twitter.com/zww50NRedF
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 13, 2020
Jon Lester gave up 7 runs in Houston in an outing in 2019: “If I knew something was going on, I probably would have walked over and had a conversation with their dugout. I didn’t hear anything.”
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 13, 2020
David Ross on his relationship with Jon Lester, as he transitions from former teammate and catcher to manager. pic.twitter.com/YUJlOqUqij
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 13, 2020
Jon Lester, on the dynamic of David Ross now being the one to decide when he comes out of a game:
"I don't know if you guys know this but he took me out of games plenty of times…..this won't be anything new.
"I've never disrespected my manager regardless of who that is."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 13, 2020
Lester on preparation for 2020: pic.twitter.com/2Il8ssZ9xu
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 13, 2020
Dillon Maples throwing bullpen session pic.twitter.com/wVwU6XDSbH
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 13, 2020
Nico Hoerner held court this morning in Mesa… pic.twitter.com/3p3wprb4WY
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 13, 2020
Yu Darvish (right) looks good in bullpen session Thursday. (John Antonoff photo) pic.twitter.com/rIvyTfxm2o
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 13, 2020
Full speed ahead. pic.twitter.com/DIRZhD0HNF
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 13, 2020
Rizzo wears his heart on his shirt during practice Thursday. (John Antonoff photo) pic.twitter.com/9O9e4jciwt
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) February 13, 2020