Todd Wellemeyer

With Cubs GM Jim Hendry and Pitching Coach Mark Riggins in attendance, LHP Doug Davis (2010 elbow surgery rehab) threw five innings of two-hit shutout ball (63 pitches – 40 strikes) with no walks and eight strikeouts (four swinging), and a 5/1 GO/FO, but the EXST Angels rallied to score five runs over the last three innings to defeat the EXST Cubs 6-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning in Mesa.

The game was extended an extra couple of innings to allow Cubs and Angels pitchers to get their scheduled work.

Michael Bolaski slugged a 450-ft+ two-run HR over the CF Batter’s Eye (“Green Monster”) and five EXST Angels pitchers combined to throw a seven-hit shutout, as the EXST Cubs were blanked 3-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.

The game was extended an extra inning to allow Cubs and Angels pitchers to get their scheduled work.

Continuing his injury rehab assignment, RHP Todd Wellemeyer got the start for the Cubs today and threw three innings (42 pitches). He allowed one run on four hits (three singles and a double) and a HBP, issuing no walks, while striking out three. The only run allowed by Wellemeyer scored in the top of the 2nd inning (lead-off double, ground out, and a sacrifice fly).

Making his second injury rehab appearance in four days, Todd Wellemeyer threw two perfect innings (31 pitches – 17 strikes) with three strikeouts (all swinging), but the EXST Athletics scored at least one run off each of the other four EXST Cubs pitchers who followed en route to a 7-2 victory in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Connie Mack Field at the Papago Park Baseball Complex in Phoenix this morning.

The game was extended an extra inning to allow Cubs and A's pitchers to get their scheduled work.

Doug Davis threw three innings of one-hit shutout ball, Todd Wellemeyer threw a 1-2-3 13-pitch inning, and Matt Loosen struck out eight in just 2.2 IP, as five EXST Cubs pitchers struck out 19 EXST Rockies batters en route to a 3-2 victory in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.

Although the Cubs were ahead 3-0 after the end of the Rockies 9th, the game was extended to 11 innings so that additional Cubs and Rockies pitchers could get their pre-scheduled work.

The rush of major league prospect rankings are about to make their way out and MLB/MILB.com and Jonathon Mayo is the first out of the gate. OF Brett Jackson is the only Cub and is listed as the #46 best prospect in all of baseball. Just traded Cub, Chris Archer, finished one spot below Jackson at #47. You can always view past rankings at Wiklifield, where you can discover such things as Starlin Castro being rated #22 last season.  From the video clip on Jackson they had this to say...

"Each tool may not wow you, but he can do a little bit of everything and has the potential to be a 20/20 type player in the future."

In other news, if you care to call it that, the Cubs signed Todd Wellemeyer to an $800K non-guaranteed deal with another $400K in incentives. Hendry must be on a contract quota or something.

Clay Rapada ended up where you'd expect an ex-Cub minor leaguer to end up.

In Bruce Levine's weekly chat, he says the Cubs may add a veteran middle infielder with Orlando Cabrera, Julio Lugo and Chirstian Guzman being named. He calls out the two Jackson's (Brett and Jay) as the most likely call-ups in 2011.