Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Hey guys, the Cubs are playing games that actually count this week! The Cubs are still going to play two games against the Red Sox on Monday and Tuesday, but Cactus League play is over and Opening Day is on Thursday. Anyway, here are some of the latest updates from the Cubs.
The final Cactus League game was on Sunday for the Cubs and boy did they really enjoy hitting against the Padres. The Cubs won 24-6, and the most incredible part of the offensive output is that out of the 27 hits only one was a home run by Phillip Evans.
As far as the pitching for the Cubs, there was some good and bad. Mike Montgomery gave up three runs in two innings and Brad Brach was awful, giving up three runs, including two homers in less than an inning. Hopefully it’s just Brach regaining his strength after getting mono.
But hey, Dillon Maples was dirty.
Follow our new Twitter account for real-time updates and in-depth analysis of all things Chicago Cubs.
Dillon Maples, Disgusting Sliders. 😷🍔🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/tUgxfrQ4NX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 25, 2019
And as much as I don’t want to get tricked again, Tyler Chatwood had another perfect inning on Sunday. Overall in spring training, Chatwood pitched 14 innings and only walked four batters. Last year’s spring training, Chatwood walked 11 in 21.1 innings.
So, improvement?
Anyway, while the Cubs were pounding the Padres, Anthony Rizzo, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels were golfing and Hamels hit a hole-in-one!
Rizzo posted it on Instagram.
Hamels will start Monday night against the Red Sox.
Some roster moves from the weekend.
Obviously the biggest was Ian Happ optioned to Triple-A and he was very pissed off.
Cubs Make The Most Shocking Move Yet, Send Ian Happ To Triple-A
Mark Zagunis is going to take his roster spot if the Cubs don’t make any other moves.
If There Are No Other Moves Then Ian Happ’s Replacement Has Been Decided For The Cubs
Left-hander Brian Duensing was DFA’d. He’s still owed $3.5 million for 2019.
Cubs DFA’d Their Worst Relief Pitcher, Will Have New Lefty In Bullpen
As the Cubs made their final roster cuts, veteran reliever Junichi Tazawa was let go despite a strong performance in spring training.
With Duensing out of the picture, there’s one last bullpen spot open. The Cubs also signed lefty Tim Collins.
Cubs Sign Left-Handed Reliever As Final Bullpen Spot Is Up For Grabs
Minor leaguer Ryan Court, who played college baseball at Illinois State, was released by the Cubs.
Daniel Descalso, Pedro Strop and Yu Darvish all seem ready to go for the first series of the season against the Rangers. Darvish pitched in a minor league game Sunday. Descalso also played in the game and will play in one of the two games against the Red Sox to get ready for Opening Day.
Darvish said he pitched with the bandage on for the entire outing (by order of the Cubs training staff). He felt fine. Will throw without it in his next bullpen session. Says he's ready to go. On target to pitch in Texas (Sat or Sun).
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 24, 2019
Finally, check out this great story on the actual changes the Cubs are making inside the clubhouse and around the team for 2019.
The Cubs are looking to regain that edge that they've seemingly lacked since they won the World Series. My and @PJ_Mooney's detailed look at how they spent their offseason figuring out how they'll get it back and the changes spurred by that desire. https://t.co/WiRBu2xYIy
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) March 25, 2019
