Spring Training Miscellany: Hendricks Finally Throws Off the Mound Again, Pace of Play on Day One, More

The last day before the Cubs start their march toward the Cactus League crown. Bell rings tomorrow.

Meanwhile …

  • The two games today were the first ever with a pitch clock (and shift restrictions, and larger bases, and pick-off limits). I watched a few innings of the Padres-Mariners game, and, outside of the size of the way-too-large pitch clock that was visible on the broadcast, I thought it was great. Exactly as intended.
  • These are just two data points and we can’t really take anything away from it, but since it was the very first day, I think it was fair for Passan to note:
  • I will add that the length of game is not necessarily the PRIMARY factor here. Maybe it is for some folks, but for me, it’s all about the loss of dead time – more pace of action in the game. Sure, a natural byproduct is going to be a reduction in game time, and sure, a 3 hour and 15 minute game is just too long most of the time for most people. But for me, and I think for a lot of people, the desire is just to keep things moving along at a nice clip. I think that’s going to happen this year, regardless of average game time.
  • For the first time in a long time, Kyle Hendricks today threw off the mound. I’m not great at identifying small changes in pitch or swing mechanics, but even I can see there’s a pretty dramatic change in Hendricks’ arm stroke after he gathers:
  • It was just the beginning, and there’s a long way to go before we’d see Hendricks in games. But it went well:
  • Hendricks’ catcher, Yan Gomes, also thought it went well (Sun-Times): “He knows me, he knows what to expect,” Hendricks said. “And he told me right away, ‘Man, that’s you.’ Action was good, angle, at the bottom of the zone, throwing strikes, over the plate. So, really, I couldn’t ask for any more out of today.”
  • Watch this thing just TURN:
  • Brendon Little is in the lefty relief competition and shouldn’t be forgotten:
  • Some visuals from Jordan Bastian:
  • written by

    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

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 2, Cubs 0 – May 13, 2024

    Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Braves (6:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns (UPDATE)

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

    Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Latest News

    Cardinals vs. Angels: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Sonny Gray will take the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) against Reid Detmers and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26), with first pitch scheduled for 9:38 PM ET at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.The...

    Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) face Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at Chase Field.Find out how to watch the Arizona-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Reds and when...

    Mariners vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will start for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) versus Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Seattle-Kansas...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (22-21), who will give the ball to Dylan Cease, host the Colorado Rockies (12-28) with Cal Quantrill on the mound, Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV and...

    Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Series May 14-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting New York Yankees will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins Starting...

    Rangers vs. Guardians: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Jack Leiter will start for the Texas Rangers (22-20) against Ben Lively and the Cleveland Guardians (25-16), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

    How to Watch Astros vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (15-25) play Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-23) at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston take...

    Craig Counsell Was Just Thrown Out from the Dugout … by the First Base Umpire

    Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...

    Red Sox vs. Rays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In a series opener on Tuesday, Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (21-19) play Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (20-21), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park.Find out how to watch the Boston-Tampa...

    Brewers vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Tuesday, Joe Ross will start for the Milwaukee Brewers (24-16) versus Quinn Priester and the Pittsburgh Pirates (18-23), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at American Family Field.Find out how to watch the Milwaukee-Pittsburgh matchup below.When is...

    more cubs news