http://mlb.mlb.com CHC Homepage News Sat, 25 May 2013 16:33:34 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130525&content_id=48563764&notebook_id=48563892&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sat, 25 May 2013 15:21:49 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130525&content_id=48563764&notebook_id=48563892&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Manager Dale Sveum considered giving Anthony Rizzo a day off Saturday. The manager believes Rizzo should learn to stop adjusting to different pitchers and stick to his own approach at the plate. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130525&content_id=48563764&notebook_id=48563888&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sat, 25 May 2013 15:21:47 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130525&content_id=48563764&notebook_id=48563888&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc On Friday, the Cubs' Scott Feldman hung a curve to the Reds' Ryan Hanigan that he wished he hadn't thrown. Hanigan hit a go-ahead three-run home run. There have been other similar instances this season, and Dale Sveum believes Cubs pitchers should pay more attention to scouting reports. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_24_chnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Fri, 24 May 2013 23:46:17 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_24_chnmlb_cinmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Scott Feldman hit his first career home run, a two-run shot, but he also served up a pair of homers as the Reds posted a 7-4 victory Friday night over the Cubs. Cincinnati scored five runs in the fourth, sparked by Joey Votto's solo shot and Ryan Hanigan's three-run homer. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48472138&notebook_id=48472466&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Fri, 24 May 2013 18:28:32 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48472138&notebook_id=48472466&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Last season, Travis Wood was 6-13 with a 4.27 ERA in 26 starts with the Cubs. This season, he's 4-2 with a 2.24 ERA. What's the difference? According to Dale Sveum, the lefty is improving because he is following the game plan. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48472138&notebook_id=48472464&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Fri, 24 May 2013 18:28:28 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130524&content_id=48472138&notebook_id=48472464&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Edwin Jackson never imagined he'd go 1-7 with a 6.11 ERA in his first 10 starts with the Cubs. According to Dale Sveum, it is the veteran pitcher's responsibility to make the the necessary changes in order to turn his season around. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48401830&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Thu, 23 May 2013 16:40:40 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48401830&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Double-A Tennessee will join outfielder Ty Wright in his efforts to raise funds for the victims. The Smokies will hold several events throughout the current homestand with proceeds going to the American Red Cross relief efforts for the Oklahoma tornado victims. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_23_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Thu, 23 May 2013 18:41:03 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_23_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Right-hander Edwin Jackson was limited to three innings before rain intervened and delayed the Cubs' game against the Pirates nearly two hours. Pittsburgh had scored all it needed by then, as Andrew McCutchen hit a pair of RBI singles to lead the Pirates to a 4-2 victory over Chicago at PNC Park on Thursday. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385146&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Thu, 23 May 2013 11:38:03 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385146&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc If Cubs fans think it's tough to deal with the team's losses, it's even harder on the players. On Thursday, Alfonso Soriano was still bothered by Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385144&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Thu, 23 May 2013 11:37:56 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385144&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs are wasting good starting pitching and manager Dale Sveum said he may abandon his lineup platoon against left-handed starters to try and shake things up. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385140&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Thu, 23 May 2013 11:37:53 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130523&content_id=48384974&notebook_id=48385140&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Entering Thursday, the Cubs had a .232 batting average against left-handed pitchers, and they are 4-10 when a southpaw starts against them. They can watch video, but there is only one left-handed batting practice option in bullpen coach Lester Strode. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 23:17:29 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_22_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Jeff Samardzija was the winning pitcher April 1 at PNC Park, but Garrett Jones smacked an RBI single in the first inning Wednesday to back Francisco Liriano and lift the Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Cubs. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323970&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 18:53:07 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323970&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Cubs pitchers combined for 13 RBIs in May and were batting .316 (12-for-38) with two home runs for the month entering Wednesday's game against the Pirates. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323968&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 18:53:04 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323968&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs are finalizing prep work for the First-Year Player Draft, to be held June 6, and Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations, led a group of front office executives to Oklahoma to meet Wednesday with right-handed pitcher Jonathan Gray. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323966&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 18:53:02 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48323966&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Darwin Barney matched his career high with four hits Tuesday, and he was batting .440 in his last seven games. The difference may have been a talk with Cubs manager Dale Sveum that lasted well into the early morning. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48302386&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 15:49:30 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130522&content_id=48302062&notebook_id=48302386&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs placed Shawn Camp on the disabled list because of a sprained right big toe on Wednesday, the day after the right-hander served up a winning grand slam to the Pirates. The Cubs recalled right-hander Rafael Dolis. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Wed, 22 May 2013 00:19:50 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_21_chnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=chc Matt Garza nearly lived up to the pre-game hype, but Travis Snider spoiled his return with a pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth off Shawn Camp to lift the Pirates to a 5-4 victory over the Cubs. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48196784&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Tue, 21 May 2013 18:32:29 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48196784&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Luis Valbuena has been the Cubs' primary third baseman this season, but the club also has Ian Stewart and Josh Vitters in its farm system. According to manager Dale Sveum, developing prospect Vitters is the team's top priority. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48185688&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Tue, 21 May 2013 15:21:10 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48185688&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs claimed right-handed pitcher Eduardo Sanchez off waivers from the Cardinals and assigned him to Triple-A Iowa. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48185570&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Tue, 21 May 2013 15:20:46 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130521&content_id=48185554&notebook_id=48185570&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Kerry Wood will be one of the Cubs' representatives at the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, to be held June 6 at MLB Network's Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48061512&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc Mon, 20 May 2013 11:52:07 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48061512&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc Ian Stewart isn't where he expected to be, but he is trying to make the most of his situation with Triple-A Iowa. Carrie Muskat http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48049714&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc Mon, 20 May 2013 00:35:20 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130520&content_id=48049714&vkey=news_chc&c_id=chc You never know where a home run ball will land. Sometimes you catch them and sometimes they hit you square in the face. So, if you're at the game with your wife, you should protect her from these flying projectiles -- but please, do not spill her beer in the process. Matt Monagan http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47982338&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sun, 19 May 2013 12:35:49 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47982338&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc If you thought the Cubs were playing without a third baseman at times during Saturday's win over the Mets, you wouldn't be entirely off base. The defensive shifts that Dale Sveum and his staff like to employ have been on display this weekend when New York outfielder Rick Ankiel comes to bat. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc Sun, 19 May 2013 19:33:06 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_19_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc Travis Wood turned in another quality start and contributed a two-run homer, but he surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Juan Lagares with two outs in the seventh before reliever Kyuji Fujikawa gave up the game-winning homer to Daniel Murphy in the eighth. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979604&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sun, 19 May 2013 10:41:41 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979604&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Anthony Rizzo entered Sunday's series finale against the Mets having not struck out in his last 39 at-bats, though that streak was snapped in the first inning. It was the second longest in the Majors behind that of San Francisco's Hunter Pence (40). Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979602&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sun, 19 May 2013 10:41:27 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979602&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Carlos Villanueva was available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale against the Mets, one day after losing his spot in the rotation because of Matt Garza's impending return. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979600&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sun, 19 May 2013 10:41:12 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130519&content_id=47979598&notebook_id=47979600&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs know that Starlin Castro has a bright future ahead of him. It's just that he continues to make some puzzling mistakes. "His potential is what he wants it to be, that's the bottom line with him," manager Dale Sveum said. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889772&notebook_id=47891546&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sat, 18 May 2013 12:48:18 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889772&notebook_id=47891546&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Right-hander Matt Garza will return to the Cubs' rotation on Tuesday in Pittsburgh and make his first Major League start since last July. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889772&notebook_id=47891536&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc Sat, 18 May 2013 12:48:14 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130518&content_id=47889772&notebook_id=47891536&vkey=notebook_chc&c_id=chc The Cubs made another error in Saturday's 8-2 win over the Mets at Wrigley Field, upping their season total to 34, the second-most in the Major Leagues. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc Sat, 18 May 2013 18:30:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_18_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc Right-hander Scott Feldman pitched another gem and came up big at the plate in Chicago's four-run fourth inning to lead the Cubs to an 8-2 win over the Mets on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Cash Kruth http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_17_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc Fri, 17 May 2013 17:30:00 EDT http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_17_nynmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=chc The Cubs scored two first-inning runs before New York's Matt Harvey retired 21 of the final 23 batters he faced in Chicago's 3-2 loss at Wrigley Field. Edwin Jackson matched Harvey for much of the afternoon, surrendering big hits but avoiding any rallies. Cash Kruth