Lester Throws in Intrasquad Game at Riverview
John Andreoli and Ryan Dent slugged solo home runs and Rubi Silva drilled a two-run single, leading the Iowa Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Tennessee Smokies in a five-inning Spring Training minor league intrasquad game played on Field #1 at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park this morning.
Victor Caratini belted a two-run double and drew a walk and Kevin Brown singled, doubled, and scored a run for the Smokies.
Jon Lester got the start for the I-Cubs, and threw 84 pitches (62 strikes) while facing 20 hitters. He allowed eight hits (two doubles, a triple, and five singles) and no walks (but two wild pitches), and he struck out four (two looking and two swinging), with a 1/6 GO/FO. Lester threw 81 pitches through four innings and and it looked like his day might be over, but then he went back out to the mound and faced one batter (Jeffrey Baez) in the top of the 5th, who rifled a triple on an 0-2 pitch. At that point, Lester was relieved.
Lester looked VERY hittable today as the young Smokies hitters consistently squared his offerings up and made lots of hard contact. If the Cubs want to get Lester another minor league start before he faces MLB hitters, they could put him on the 15-day DL retroactive to last Friday (nine days prior to MLB Opening Day being the furthest back a DL stint can be backdated during Spring Training), and maybe have him start a minor league game this coming Sunday (the last day of Cactus League Minor League Spring Training games), and then he would be eligible to be reinstated from the DL on Saturday April 11th. (NOTE: MLB Cactus League and Grapefruit League Spring Training games are considered "official" games, so players on the DL cannot play in these games, and a DL stint cannot be backdated past the last time the player appeared in an official MLB Spring Training game; but pitching or playing in a minor league Spring Training game or in an intrasquad game does not affect DL eligiblity as far as backdating the DL stint is concerned, and a player on the DL can play in a minor league Spring Training game and/or in an intrasquad game without restriction).
Despite being sent down by the Cubs on Monday, Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, and Addison Russell have yet to take the field at Minor League Camp. None of the three played in the Futures Game last night at Sloan Park (and the Cubs sure could have used them, too), none of the three participated in work-outs (fielding practice, baserunning drills, and BP) with the Iowa squad this morning, and none of the three played in the Lester intrasquad game (and they were not on the bench, either). So it's very possible that Baez, Bryant, and Russell are still with the big club, despite being technically on the Iowa roster.
The game was called with two outs in the top of the 5th inning.
Here is the box score from this morning's intrasquad game:
TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Albert Almora, DH: 2-3 (1B, 1B, L-5, R)
2. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 1-3 (K, P-3, 3B, R)
3. Victor Caratini, C: 1-2 (E-5, 2B, BB, 2 RBI)
4. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-3 (F-8, K, 4-6-3 DP)
5. Bijan Rademacher, RF: 0-2 (4-3, F-7)
6. Ben Carhart, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, K)
7, Carlos Penalver, SS: 1-2 (L-8, 1B)
8. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B)
9. Kevin Brown, LF: 2-2 (2B, 1B, R)
IOWA LINEUP:
X. David Ross, C: 1-4 (5-3, K, P-5, 1B, R)
NOTE: Ross batted 2nd in the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings
1. John Andreoli, CF: 2-2 (HR, 2B, R, RBI)
2. Mike Baxter, 1B: 0-2 (4-3, K)
3. Kyle Schwarber, DH #1: 0-2 (3-U, K)
4. Dan Vogelbach, DH #2: 0-2 (K, K)
5. Jae-Hoon Ha, LF: 2-2 (1B, 2B, R)
6. Rubi Silva, RF: 1-2 (6-3 FC, 1B, 2 RBI)
7. Chris Valaika, SS: 0-1 (BB, F-8)
8. Stephen Bruno, 2B: 0-1 (6-3)
9. Ryan Dent, 3B: 1-1 (HR, R, RBI)
TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
Felix Pena; 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 5/2 GO/FO, 75 pitches (50 strikes)
IOWA PITCHERS:
1. Jon Lester: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 2 WP, 1/6 GO/FO, 84 pitches (62 strikes)
2. Michael Wagner: 0.2, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/FO, 7 pitches (5 strikes)
TENNESSEE ERRORS: NONE
IOWA ERRORS: 1
3B Ryan Dent - E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)
WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90's
ATTENDANCE: 26
Recent comments
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crunch 6 hours 7 min ago (view)
yeah...sigh.
875K if he makes the team with 600K in performance bonuses possible.
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Dolorous Jon Lester 6 hours 21 min ago (view)
Shelby Miller...? Really?
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crunch 13 hours 19 min ago (view)
i like the cubs odds on this one.
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Arizona Phil 17 hours 13 min ago (view)
Ian Happ arbitration figures are $4.1M (player) and $3.25M (club) with hearing date TBD.
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crunch 2 days 4 hours ago (view)
* all figures stated are in a range of +/- 10m
yeah, that was me not typing info correctly. my bad.
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Arizona Phil 2 days 7 hours ago (view)
Bryant got $19.5M
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crunch 2 days 9 hours ago (view)
bryant 9.5m, contreras 6.65m, baez 11.65m, z.davies 8.63m
looks like happ is going to arbitration.
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Arizona Phil 3 days 6 hours ago (view)
RHP Edward Vasquez (2017 IFA - Dominican Republic) has retired.
E. Vasquez was one of the top SP on DSL Cubs Red in 2019 and was expected to be a SP on one of the Cubs AZL teams in 2020 if the minor league season hadn't been canceled.
He would have been first-time Rule 5 Draft eligible post-2021.
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K Dub 3 days 9 hours ago (view)
Thanks Phil!
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crunch 3 days 11 hours ago (view)
danny hultzen retires and joins the cubs as a "pitching development assistant"
shame the comeback story didn't last longer...but hey, at least he got to taste the bigs after his body failed him for so many years.
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crunch 3 days 13 hours ago (view)
theo joining the commish's front office operation as a "consultant reguarding on field matters"...basically weighing in on the possible impact of rules changes.
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Arizona Phil 3 days 16 hours ago (view)
https://www.thecubreporter.com/comment/266505#comm...
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K Dub 3 days 16 hours ago (view)
Yeah, to my calculation that suspension should be over by now unless he got caught again...
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Wrigley Rat 3 days 20 hours ago (view)
(Not Phil) - Last I saw, he was on the restricted list.
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K Dub 3 days 22 hours ago (view)
PHIL: Did the Cubs release Saul Vazquez?
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Sonicwind75 1 week 15 hours ago (view)
The 2021 guaranteed amount is $7 + $3 million mutual option buyout. 10>8. Most media reports summarizes it as a $10 million deal.
Comments
solo HR for scuzzy off
Keep him up!!
Triple :: Willson Contreras
the cubs used 27 players (8
Keep him up!!!
Hail Szczur!!!
Hail Szczur!!!
Lake sent down, along with Rosscup and Schlitter.
Jumped the gun I guess,
Jumped the gun I guess, Muskat says Herrera still in the mix
@CarrieMuskat It's down to Sweeney vs Szczur vs Herrera for final 2 spots. Denorfia likely to open on DL. Coghlan day to day now. #Cubs;
Yeah, I still think Herrera
Yeah, I still think Herrera has a shot. With Baez down that leaves Alcantara as the only back-up for 3B-SS-2B. La Stella can move around, but it really limits pinch hitting and double switching.
that's the way I felt all
that's the way I felt all along, but Witty claimed they were down to 3 OF's for 2 spots yesterday...should have known better.
a spot should open up once
Not at all interested in
Herrera's not there to hit,
Herrera's not there to hit, just gives the option for someone else to hit for LaStella, Alcantara or Olt.
I'm guessing Sweeney/Herrera unless they think Coghlan might need some time off, but not DL time off.
Why would you want Herrera to
I think you missed the not in
I think you missed the not in my comment.
The idea is not that you
The idea is not that you would have Herrera hit for any of them. The idea is that you may want, for example, Olt to pinch hit for the pitcher. You then double switch and put Olt in at 3B, move La Stella to 2B, and take out Alcantara from the game. But now that's it. You are locked in with your defensive 1B-2B-3B-SS and their batting order for the rest of the game. You can't make any defensive substitutions there or pinch hit for any of them. That is severely limiting, and it makes it easier for opposing managers to plan pitching matchups. And if anyone gets injured you are screwed. Rizzo pulls up with a bit of a tight hammy. No big deal, just needs to come out of the game and rest a bit. So you can move Olt to 1B, right? Except who plays 3B? La Stella could, but then who plays 2B? Ideally you have 2 catchers and carry them both, but it is what it is. Szczur did great and he will certainly be up at some point. But I expect him to start in AAA with Sweeney and Herrera up. If Sweeney continues to suck, he might be released at some point into the season.
Okay, thanks W, that makes
While I think it is necessary
While I think it is necessary for the Cubs to carry a utility infielder on the 25-man roster (in addition to Alcantara) who can play SS (as well as 2B-3B), it doesn't necessaily have to be Jonathan Herrera.
This is the time of Spring Training when players on MLB 40-man rosters become available (either by trade or waiver claim) because they are out of options, or NRI guys with MLB experience who don't make the 40 can be easily acquired in a trade.
For example, the Cubs acquired Luis Valbuena (who was out of minor league options) off waivers from Toronto at the end of Spring Training in 2012, Donnie Murphy was claimed off waivers by Texas at the end of Spring Training last year, and Andres Blanco was traded to Texas at the end of Spring Training in 2010.
The Miami Marlins just sent Reid Brignac (who played for Maddon in TB) to Minor League Camp, and he probably would be available in a trade for cash and/or "future considerations."
So not to say that it won't be Herrera or that it would have to be Brignac, but it could be someone other than Herrera.
something tells me TB isn't
Brignac opted out of his
good points as always, AZ
Braves claimed A. McKirahan
Braves claimed A. McKirahan off waivers, Rule 5 rules apply.
given the failure of josh
Nothing new but an
Stuff we've heard before.
http://muskat.mlblogs.com
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2015/04/01/cubs-ext...
Cubs will rotate between LaStella, Alcantara and Olt at 2B and 3B
btw, if I'm reading the depth charts and schedule right, the only potential LH starting pitcher Cubs will face in first 2 weeks is Tyler Matzek in Colorado depending on how their rotation shakes out. As far as I can tell, no other team even has a lefty in their rotation (Cardinals, Rockies, Reds, Padres). Rockies also have De La Rosa, but he'll be out for Cubs series for sure.
Cue the outrage if Olt doesn
fowler, pitcher slot,
I think Maddonnini will just
This comment pretty much
the chris valaika fan club
If Valaika plays over Olt I
It was also a joke, so...
Samardzija gives up 2 more
Good God, Solet!
i know it's just spring
I read the answer to this
yes, totally...if needed that
Heard a long interview with
archer is sneaky smart..
Check out the first comment
not touching the comment..
Szczur is Gritty.
I see Doubront has signed a
I see Doubront has signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays
A. Vizcaino suspended 80
A. Vizcaino suspended 80 games for testing positive for PED's...traded to Cubs for Maholm, traded back for LaStella.
I wonder if the Cubs
holy crap...that only leaves
He actually looked pretty
La Stella looks like the
What I saw at third this
Judge gives Cubs go-ahead to
i hope the cubs are in on
"But a major league source
Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat
CRUNCH: Not true. Wada threw
CRUNCH: Not true.
Wada threw 3.1 IP, and struck out four.
In fact the outs went: K, 5-3, K, F-9, 6-3, L-1, P-2,-P-3, K, K. Three of the four strikeouts were called third strikes, the other was swinging.