Cubs News and Notes

March 7th, 2010 | by Mark |

Despite starting off the Spring training slate with a 2-1 record and scoring 20 runs in the process, not everything has been rosy for the Cubs.

First off, the Cubs were spanked by the White Sox 15-3 on Saturday, as rotation hopeful Carlos Silva was rocked for 6 runs in 2 IP. Silva gave up 7 hits, including 2 HR’s in the “effort”. Mark’s Remarks – If Silva even sniffs the rotation this year, it will be a long one for the Cubs.

Adding injury to insult, an MRI discovered that Angel Guzman has a significant ligament tear and instability in his pitching shoulder. This is a potential career ending injury. Guzman plans to have surgery on the shoulder, despite the fact that few pitchers have come back from this type of surgery. Mark’s Remarks – tough break for one of the Cubs better relief pitchers. I wish him all the best. This only emphasizes the importance of the Cubs finding some more pitching depth.

As for the Cubs hot prospect, Starlin Castro, despite an injury to backup shortstop Andres Blanco and Castro’s good start in his first few games (3 for 8 with a double and triple), Lou Piniella said it is unlikely that Castro starts the season in the majors. “No, no,” he said. “Starlin is going to start the season in Triple-A (Iowa) and play. The only way Starlin would come into this equation, and I’ve said this before, is if he shows he’s ready to play here and there’s a problem physically with Theriot.” Mark’s Remarks – He may not start the season in the majors, but he is likely to finish the season in the majors (I’m predicting a callup on June 1st).

Finally, to end this news wrapup on a positive note, both Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez have reported no pain in early play. Soriano, who’s recovering from knee surgery, and Ramirez, who missed 2 months with a shoulder injury and played the rest of the season in pain, both appear to be at or near 100%. Mark’s Remarks – This is probably the most important news of all as Soriano and Ramirez are two of the biggest cogs that make the Cubs offense click.