With games rapidly approaching, Dale Sveum and his coaching staff have set the first three spots in the rotation to open up the Spring
schedule this weekend. Rodrigo Lopez will get things started, he will be followed by Ryan Dempster, and Matt Garza. Dale Sveum was quick to caution fans trying to read too much into Dempster being ahead of Garza, saying that they will determine the rotation to start the season sometime in the middle of spring training. Lopez gets the first crack to prove he belongs at the back end of the Cubs rotation. Other competitors for the four/five spots in the rotation per Sveum are Randy Wells, Travis Wood, and Chris Volstad. It looks more and more like it will be something along the lines of Garza, Dempster and Maholm to head the rotation, but anything can and usually does happen in the Spring.
Scary Moment
Live batting practice usually gives a manager a bit of excitement and trepidation as you never know what can happen, but it’s fun to see the guys face live pitching. Well some of the worst fears almost came to fruition this morning as Kerry Wood drilled Starlin Castro on the right wrist/forearm area. “It hurt” Castro quipped afterwards, but was quick to say that he will be fine and will not need any x-rays. Kerry Wood made sure to smooth things over with a rather solid man hug after the drill.
Aches and Pains
Paul Maholm was held out of workouts over the weekend because of the flu, but he was back throwing a side session today. Geovany Soto remains day to day and was held out of Sunday’s workout as more of a precaution than anything.
Games will be starting before you know it, and we will bring you some of the best Spring Training recaps we can, stay tuned. Thanks for reading.
– George Cotugno
Born on Third 