Cody Bellinger lastly hit his first spring residence run — a minimum of the primary one which counted.
Bellinger’s homer final week towards Team Canada shouldn’t be utilized to Cactus League totals as a result of it was an exhibition matchup. His residence run Thursday, although, prevented the Cubs from getting shut out in a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Left-hander Drew Smyly went 4⅓ innings, giving up two runs on three hits. He walked one and struck out 4 batters.
Jameson Taillon threw 72 pitches in a minor-league sport towards the San Francisco Giants on Thursday after his sim sport was rained out Wednesday. He surrendered 4 runs and 7 hits, walked one and struck out seven in 5 innings.
Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol noticed some positives from the rain that canceled Wednesday’s sport towards the San Francisco Giants.
“I didn’t plan the weather but when I saw it (in the forecast) a few days ago it was something that we thought would be good for us,” Grifol mentioned Thursday. “Get another day (off), get the guys rested another day before we crank it up because we were looking at 16 games and 15 days, so we needed another blow. So it was a good day.”
Lucas Giolito allowed three hits in 4 scoreless innings throughout a B sport Thursday towards the Los Angeles Dodgers. Giolito, who was scheduled to begin Wednesday, had six strikeouts and no walks.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope and Meghan Montemurro will probably be offering Cubs and White Sox updates all through spring coaching.
Seiya Suzuki progressing with indirect pressure
The proper fielder is taking preliminary steps in resuming baseball actions.
Suzuki performed gentle catch the final two days and took dry swings within the cage Thursday. Manager David Ross anticipates Suzuki will proceed these actions by way of the week. By the weekend he might try a few swings off a tee if he continues to really feel good.
“Really good spirits,” Ross mentioned of Suzuki. “He’s in there every day working his program. He’s doing a ton, the workouts have been progressing. He’s been able to stay in shape in that way and he’ll start to ramp up, maybe some running, this week as well.”
Suzuki will start the season on the injured listing, however his development to dry swings is encouraging and will put a return by late April in play.
Sox get a have a look at Oscar Colás in middle subject
Colás began in middle Thursday for the primary time this spring towards the Cleveland Guardians in Goodyear, Ariz.
“He played it last year, a ton in the minor leagues,” Grifol mentioned earlier than the sport. “And I know we have good people here and good evaluators in this organization. I’ve heard he can do it. And we have to be prepared to, if we make decisions that we based on whether we might need him to play center field on occasion, we all have to be comfortable with it.”
Colás is competing for a roster spot and the right-field job. He performed 12 video games in proper this spring. Last yr, Colás performed 70 video games in middle and 34 video games in proper between three ranges within the minors.
“This is all based on let’s see how he does out there and see how he looks,” Grifol mentioned. “And it can help us make tough decisions down the stretch.”
Cubs catchers take a big-picture method with camp competitions
Tucker Barnhart continues to be within the technique of studying the 33 pitchers who stay in big-league camp, a determine that features 13 nonroster invitees.
While the camp competitors to earn the Cubs’ No. 5 starter job and two to 3 bullpen spots are up for grabs, Barnhart has to take a big-picture method as pitchers compete to depart Arizona on their opening-day roster.
“For us as catchers, it’s really to continue to help them get better,” Barnhart advised the Tribune. “I notice that’s not the very best reply on the earth, nevertheless it’s the reality. We’re not ready the place we’re in a position to give attention to one or two or a pair guys right here as a result of there’ll be some extent within the yr the place we’re going to make use of nearly everyone that’s on this room.
“It’s very important for me to make sure I’m learning who they are as pitchers and understanding how they tick versus like really kind of buckling down and helping certain guys maybe more than others.”
Yan Gomes, coming into his second season with the Cubs, believes folks typically get too caught up in spring stats however added: “I mean, they definitely do matter because if there’s something glaring you’ve got to address it.”
When it involves being the Cubs’ fifth starter, Gomes desires to assist put them in the very best place to succeed, whether or not it’s the extra skilled Adrian Sampson or both right-hander coming off their debut seasons in Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad.
“The fifth spot is a tricky place because those guys are innings eaters or guys that are going to get through four or five innings at least and let our bullpen do their job,” Gomes mentioned. “My job is to call the game like I’m supposed to and try things out — there’s no better time to try things than in spring.”
Regardless of a pitcher’s expertise or respective state of affairs, Gomes all the time desires to offer trustworthy suggestions.
“If you keep giving the excuse that you’re still working on something, that’s kind of tough because at some point we’re going to have to bear down,” Gomes mentioned. “Being able to have that good communication of what I think is happening, that’s really important.”
Eloy Jiménez returns to the Sox after sizzling hitting in WBC
Eloy Jiménez’s time on the World Baseball Classic got here to an finish when Team Dominican Republic misplaced 5-2 to Puerto Rico on Wednesday in Miami. The Dominican Republic went 2-2 in pool play.
“He’ll be here (Friday), and I’ll probably give him a day or two,” Grifol mentioned. “I’ll speak to him and see how he feels. They performed fairly excessive stress baseball (on the WBC).
“It was a hell of an environment (Wednesday). So maybe he needs a day or two, maybe he doesn’t. I’m looking forward to having him back in camp.”
Jiménez went 5-for-11 with two RBIs in three WBC video games.
What we’re studying this morning
Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease ‘checked all the boxes’ in an outing that included a novel strikeout
Projecting the Chicago Cubs opening-day roster: Who will declare the remaining spots?
Cuba — with Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert — advances to 1st World Baseball Classic semifinal since 2006
Up subsequent
- Cubs (split-squad) vs. Dodgers, 3:05 p.m., Marquee; Cubs (SS) at White Sox, 3:05 p.m.
- Cubs (SS) at White Sox, 3:05 p.m., NBC Sports Chicago, ESPN1000
News from World Baseball Classic
Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman is scheduled to begin for Puerto Rico of their quarterfinal Friday towards Mexico. In Puerto Rico’s pool-play opener, Stroman allowed one run and two hits in 4⅔ innings towards Nicaragua.
With Israel’s WBC expertise over, first baseman Matt Mervis is predicted again at Cubs camp Friday and may very well be within the lineup.
Team USA superior to the quarterfinals with a 3-2 victory towards Colombia in a Pool C sport Wednesday at Phoenix. Sox reliever Kendall Graveman pitched one scoreless inning and was credited with the victory. He allowed one hit and had one strikeout.
Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, taking part in second base, went 0-for-4. Team USA performs Venezuela in a quarterfinal Saturday in Miami.
Sox pitcher Nicholas Padilla had two hits in a scoreless inning in Puerto Rico’s win towards the Dominican Republic.
Quotable
“He’s a special talent and he’s also a special kid. I’m looking forward to watching him pitch all year long.”
— Grifol on Sox reliever Reynaldo López
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
