NEWSLETTER
As has been the case quite frequently over the past couple weeks, my planned schedule got all thrown off by crazy news – Carlos Correa to the Twins(?!) in this case – so now, owing to family obligations, I’ve gotta power through these Bullets asap …
• The DEBUT debut will be in the regular season, of course, but we nevertheless got to see Marcus Stroman donning the Cubbie blue for the first time last night in his Spring Training debut. He cruised, getting groundballs, a few strikeouts, and being pretty much normal for his two innings of work. And normal for Stroman also includes fun stuff like this strut:
https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1505007733988241411
• More Stro:
Chicago. @Cubs pic.twitter.com/GibSiQbwy5
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) March 19, 2022
Stroman's first Cubs spring training start: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K pic.twitter.com/e7FfeZ0hxe
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) March 19, 2022
• As for last night’s game on the whole, which the Cubs won 7-3 over the Giants, the Cubs’ pitchers didn’t give up a hit until the 8th inning, so that’s kinda wild. After Stroman, Mark Leiter Jr. pitched two hitless innings (pretty good bet based on that structure that he’s being eyed for an opening week rotation spot at Iowa), and then Jonathan Holder, Stephen Gonsalves, and Locke St. John followed with a hitless inning each.
• What a debut for Clint Frazier: a single, two walks, a stolen base, and good defense in the outfield. Because of his uncertain injury situation last year – and the usual questions about contact and defense – you simply cannot assume he’s definitely going to be a contributor for the Cubs this year (there’s a reason he signed such a modest contract). But that’s a good start, at least from a health perspective. If he somehow managed to be the guy he flashed offensively for the Yankees a few years ago, Frazier would be a huge boost for the Cubs’ lineup.
• Early praise for new Cubs back-up catcher Yan Gomes:
https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1505020966262362113
• Frank Schwindel extra-base content:
Frank Schwindel picking up where he left off. pic.twitter.com/ELEdOXsiMs
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 19, 2022
• Nick Madrigal has yet to make his Spring debut, but it’s coming soon. More on his now complete rehab process:
"This is probably some of the best work I've done in my baseball career."
Watch more of @NickMadrigal_3's rehab process and why he feels it's made him a better player: https://t.co/StacLtlEeF pic.twitter.com/uF2Qi8ROph
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 15, 2022
• We should not call them “ghost” runners because they’re right there, but more evidence that the free runner in extra innings could be coming back this season:
The extra inning 2B ghost runner is trending back toward reality for the 2022 season, sources say. Not quite decided but MLB is listening to managers who want to avoid testing arms after short spring. I consider this great news, as I do believe in ghosts. @jaysonst 1st mentioned
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 18, 2022
• So, still waiting for official word on that, as well as expanded rosters to open the season. I really don’t see how teams cannot be permitted to carry a couple extra pitchers given this abbreviated timeline. And on that thinking, it makes all the more sense that the Cubs are bringing in every pitcher they can.
• Former Cubs great, Ryan Flaherty:
https://twitter.com/JoeTrezz/status/1504847259426557957
• It turns out Seiya Suzuki went to Chicago and Wrigley Field before signing with the Cubs:
Welcome home, Seiya Suzuki. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/7svvH5bFcn
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) March 19, 2022
• A sad, but compelling, story:
The amazing life of blind sportswriter Craig Lynch, remembered by friends as "one of the great souls of the press box." https://t.co/5qGL3JsTkz
— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) March 19, 2022
• Happy birthday to David Ross:
Happy birthday, Rossy! pic.twitter.com/N8THrl4UW9
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 19, 2022
• Things got really weird for the Bears yesterday:
Larry Ogunjobi Failed His Physical and Is Not Signing with the Bearshttps://t.co/yeC7EwkORw pic.twitter.com/ts8aAuXAJz
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 18, 2022
It Didn't Take Long to Find a New DT: Bears Are Reportedly Signing Justin Jones Away from the Chargers – https://t.co/1jZKJeU0Bb pic.twitter.com/rcCo3iH4dp
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 19, 2022
The Bears Are Also Signing Former Colts DE Al-Quadin Muhammadhttps://t.co/nb0ujhQKLc pic.twitter.com/iWkR888Qw8
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 18, 2022
