Team USA Moves On, the Unfortunate Diaz Injury, Taking from the Dodgers, and Other Cubs Bullets

Mar 16, 2023

I’m a Field Trip Dad today, helping out at school. It’s just nice that kids are finally doing field trips again.

Team USA is moving on to the knockout stage of the World Baseball Classic, beating Colombia 3-2 last night and moving on to face Venezuela on Saturday in the quarterfinals. If they win that one, they’ll face Cuba in the semifinals the next day.

Elsewhere, Team Puerto Rico won a huge loser-goes-home game against the Dominican Republic, a game that means so much to so many players and fans in Latin America (and around the world).

It is extremely, extremely unfortunate that Mets closer Edwin Diaz suffered an injury last night while celebrating Puerto Rico’s win. It’s unfortunate for Diaz and the Mets, obviously, but it’s also unfortunate for Team Puerto Rico, which must be feeling some seriously mixed emotions – that was a huge win for them. They care A LOT about this event, and now there’s some sourness to one of their biggest wins. And it’s also unfortunate for everyone who has really been enjoying the WBC, because the last thing we need is another reason for MLB teams to pull the plug on their players participating.

Mookie Betts and Mike Trout said the injury risk of playing in the WBC is worth the reward. Both said they were having a blast with Team USA.

Betts: “This is so much fun. This is way better than getting four at-bats on the back fields.”— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 16, 2023

As for the celebrating part, you just hate to see that so much. I always worry about it when a guy does something great and gets swarmed by a group of large, bouncing teammates – it just seems like such an obvious recipe for possible disaster involving a knee or ankle. I’m not saying don’t celebrate. It’s a natural human thing to do, and it’s part of the excitement. I just want to see guys be smarter about it, because I dread a moment like that happening to the Cubs.

The Cubs have an example on the roster right now – Cody Bellinger’s shoulder injury from 2020, which was partly to blame for how he got derailed in 2021, stems from a celebratory shoulder/arm thing he did with Enrique Hernández after a big homer in Game 7 of the NLCS.

Bellinger hurt himself in the celebration? pic.twitter.com/7or9FUUxla
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) October 19, 2020

One last WBC thought, based in part on this eye-popping Shohei Ohtani clip:

102MPH FROM SHOHEI OHTANI FOR THE STRIKEOUT 🔥🔥🔥

pic.twitter.com/MB9NonzhzE
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 16, 2023

I love that some guys care so much about the WBC, and are passionate about winning for their country. It’s their life, their career, their choice. So I’m not telling anyone to do anything other than what they’re doing. But I can help but notice some of these massive velocities in mid-March (Javier Assad touching 97 mph, for example) and I just hope it doesn’t cause undue or early wear-and-tear for pitchers later this year, even if they don’t actually suffer “an injury.” You can’t tell these guys not to give it their all, though. I guess I just hope everyone can have it both ways (outside of Edwin Diaz, unfortunately).

One of the top pitching prospects in baseball will miss the season:

In a statement, Mike Rizzo announces Cade Cavalli will require Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch in 2023.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) March 16, 2023

So that’s Cavalli, Daniel Espino, and Andrew Painter all going down with major arm injuries so far this spring. Tough spring for top pitching prospects.

The Cubs have imported so many players, and a couple coaches, from the Dodgers organization, but it’s hard to argue with what the Dodgers have accomplished. Jed Hoyer to the Sun-Times: “I think the Dodgers do so many things well, from the top down. From [president of baseball operations] Andrew Friedman to [general manager] Brandon Gomes down to [manager] Dave Roberts and that coaching staff, they do a lot of things well. Look at their minor-league staff. [Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly] and [assistant hitting coach] Johnny [Washington] came through there, and they develop coaches well. They’ve had the most incredible depth the last few years. As a result, some of the players they’ve let go are really talented guys who they just didn’t have spots for. … It’s a testament to what they’ve created over there.”

In other words, if you’re going to take from the edges of another organization, might as well be the Dodgers?

This is a knowingly silly exposé, and it is a lot of fun to read:

I went to journalism school so I could provide you with this exclusive exposé: The Yankees charge their players for internet on the team plane.

“It’s your fault,” they tell one another. “Your contract is too big, so they can’t pay for the Wi-Fi.”https://t.co/m0Gkio541d— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) March 15, 2023

Bryan has started ranking and writing up Cubs prospects if you’ve missed it:

Rankings begin! 50-26!

Martin, Correa, Birdsell, Murray, Franklin, Horn, Hearn, Preciado, Slaughter, Perlaza, Leigh, Hill, Leeper, Valdez, Ramirez, Rojas, Thompson, Devers, Sanchez, Little, Sanders, Verdugo, Gray, Howard, Mule.

But read the reports too!https://t.co/f5Wjz1iOJm— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) March 15, 2023

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Chicago Cubs

Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

Michael Cerami

Apr 19, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

Brett Taylor

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

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

Nestor Cortes Jr. takes the mound for the New York Yankees (13-6) when they host starter Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) at 1:05 PM ET on Saturday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

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

The Cincinnati Reds (9-9), led by Spencer Steer, host Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) at 6:40 PM ET on Saturday.See how to watch the Cincinnati-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Reds vs. Angels and when does it start?This...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Saturday, Logan Allen will start for the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) versus Alex Wood and the Oakland Athletics (8-11), with first pitch scheduled for 6:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.Keep scrolling to find out all the...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (9-10), who will give the ball to Luis Castillo, visit the Colorado Rockies (4-15) with Kyle Freeland on the hill, Saturday at 8:10 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Seattle-Colorado matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Rockies...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

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

Corbin Burnes will take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) when they visit starter Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals (12-7) in a series opener on Saturday, with first pitch at 7:10 PM ET.See how to watch the...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

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

The Atlanta Braves (12-5), with Charlie Morton on the mound, host the Texas Rangers (11-9) who will start Nathan Eovaldi, at 7:20 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Atlanta-Texas matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Astros vs. Nationals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Houston Astros (6-14), with Ronel Blanco on the mound, visit the Washington Nationals (8-10) who will start Trevor Williams, at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Find out how to watch the Houston-Washington matchup below.When is Astros...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

Phillies vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8), with Zack Wheeler on the hill, host the Chicago White Sox (3-15) who will hand the ball to Mike Soroka, at 6:05 PM ET on Saturday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Philadelphia-Chicago matchup...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

On Saturday, Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) begin a series against Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) at PNC Park, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the Pittsburgh-Boston...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

NBA Picks

Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

The Phoenix Suns are slight 1.5-point underdogs in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday, tipping off at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN. The matchup has an over/under...

Data Skrive

Apr 19, 2024

Team USA Moves On, the Unfortunate Diaz Injury, Taking from the Dodgers, and Other Cubs Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular