Shelby Miller a Mystery to Cubs Hitters

RHSP Shelby Miller (on Arizona Diamondbacks MLB 15-day DL retro to May 25th with a sprained/bruised right index finger) hurled five innings of shutout ball and Max Brown (RBI double) and Gerard Hernandez (RBI single) stroked run-scoring hits to highlight a two-run first inning, as the Diamondbacks made the two runs stand and edged the Cubs 2-1 at Sloan Park, and Joey Armstrong laced a two-run single to cap a three-run second-inning and Marcus Wilson walked twice, singled, stole a base, and scored two runs, leading the D'backs over the Cubs 5-2 on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex, in Cactus League Extended Spring Training split-squad doubleheader action this morning in Mesa, AZ.  

With local Phoenix TV crews recording every pitch, Miller breezed-through his five innings (55 pitches), allowing just three singles and no walks, with two strikeouts and an 8/5 GO/AO.

D. J. Wilson belted an RBI double and a single and Wladimir Galindo singled twice and drove-in a run for the Cubs in a losing cause on Field #1.

RHP Jen-Ho Tseng (on AA Tennessee 7-day DL with right shoulder inflammation) and LHRP Jack Leathersich (July 2015 TJS) continued their EXST rehab, working in the game played at Sloan Park. 

Tseng started the game and worked four innings (48 pitches - 73% strikes) and allowed two runs on four hits (three singles and a double), but he struck out five, did not issue any walks, and he retired the last eight hitters he faced (K, 4-3, 4-3, 3-1, K, L-9. K, 6-3). 

Leathersich followed Tseng to the hill and worked a 1-2-3 5th inning (4-3, F-9, K). While he's still in "rehab mode," Leathersich is increasing his velocity & command with each EXST outing, and he could ultimately replace Clayton Richard as the Cubs second LHRP option (perhaps sooner rather than later).    

In EXST Cubs roster news, SS Ho-Young Son (2014 IFA - South Korea) is being converted to pitcher, but he is not ready to throw in games yet (just bullpen side-sessions and PFP drills so far). The 21-year old Son hit just 238/310/295 in 65 career minor league games (AZL Cubs & Eugene) 2014-15, but he has a rifle for an arm.   

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only): 

SLOAN PARK 

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Roberto Caro, CF: 1-4 (1B, 6-3, F-7, 3-U, RBI, SB)
2. Michael Foster, RF:  0-3 (L-4, 4-3, 6-3, BB, SB)
3. Vimael Machin, 2B: 1-4 (6-3, 1B, 1-3, F-7)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B-DH: 2-3 (5-3, 1B, 2B)
5. Isaac Paredes, 3B: 0-3 (K, 5-3, F-9)
6. Rafael Mejia, DH #1: 0-3 (K, 5-3, F-7)
7. Kwang-Min Kwon, LF: 0-3 (F-7, F-8, F-9)
8. Jhonny Pereda, C-1B: 0-3 (4-3, L-6, F-7)
9. Yeiler Peguero, SS: 1-3 (4-3, P-5, 3B, R)
10. Eric Gonzalez, DH-C: 0-3 (L-8, L-8, L-7)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS
1. Jen-Ho Tseng: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 5 K, 5/1 GO/AO, 48 pitches (35 strikes) 
2. Jack Leathersich: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 17 pitches (13 strikes) 
3. John Michael Knighton: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/AO, 22 pitches (17 strikes) 
4. M. T. Minacci: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/AO, 12 pitches (9 strikes)
5. Jared Cheek: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 15 pitches (12 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE 

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Jhonny Pereda: 1-1 CS 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FIELD #1

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. D. J. Wilson, CF: 2-4 (1B, P-5, 2B, P-6, RBI)
2. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 1-4 (6-4-3 DP, 3-1, 1-3, 1B, R)
3. Chris Pieters, 1B: 1-4 (1B, K, 4-3, K)
4. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 2-4 (1B, F-9, F-8, 1B, RBI)
5. Gustavo Polanco, DH-C: 1-4 (5-4 FC, 3-U, 6-3, 1B)
6. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 0-3 (L-7, BB, K, F-7) 
7. Jhonny Bethencourt, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, L-7, BB, BB) 
8. Tyler Payne, C-DH: 2-4 (2B, 1B, F-8, 1-3, R)
9a. Jose Gonzalez, LF: 0-2 (P-2, F-9)
9b. Yohan Matos, LF: 0-2 (K, 5-3)
10. Luis Ayala, DH #2: 2-4 (1B, 1B, 4-3, K)
 
CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS
1. Manny Rondon: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 8/1 GO/AO, 77 pitches (47 strikes)
2. Nick Sarianides: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 12 pitches (9 strikes)
3. Tommy Nance: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K,  2/1 GO/AO, 35 pitches (25 strikes)
4. Jose Leidenz: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 3 WP, 1/3 GO/AO, 40 pitches (24 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Andruw Monasterio: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)
2. 1B Chris Pieters: E-3 (erant throw on attempted 3-2 FC at home allowed runner to score) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Tyler Payne: 0-1 CS 
2. Gustavo Polanco: 1-2 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 15 (combined - some of the spectators moved back & forth between the two venues) 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures 110+ 

Comments

wsox obtain j.shields + cash from the padres for fernando tatis jr (IF) + erik johnson (rhp) it's pretty much the exact deal rumored a week ago. "Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Padres are sending more than $30 million to the White Sox as part of the James Shields trade." wow. nice return on the $$ side.

E-Jax Finally Done? SATURDAY: Jackson cleared waivers and has been given his unconditional release, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). TUESDAY: The Marlins have designated righty Edwin Jackson for assignment, the club announced. His roster spot will go to southpaw Mike Dunn, who will be activated from the DL for the first time this season. Via MLBTR

Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info


40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on 60-DAY IL   

32 players
are on the MLB ACTIVE LIST (26-man limit in effect on MLB Opening Day)

17 players signed to minor league contracts are Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-18-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 16
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad 
Brad Boxberger
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
Adrian Sampson
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski
Rowan Wick

NRI PITCHERS: 10 
* Ryan Borucki  
Nick Burdi 
Tyler Duffey 
* Roenis Elias  
* Anthony Kay  
Mark Leiter Jr 
* Brendon Little  
Vinny Nittoli 
Manuel Rodriguez 
Cam Sanders 

CATCHERS: 2 
* Tucker Barnhart 
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
* Dom Nunez  
Luis Torrens 

INFIELDERS: 9
Nico Hoerner
* Eric Hosmer
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Zach McKinstry
Christopher Morel
* Edwin Rios
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
# Sergio Alcantara 
David Bote 
* Matt Mervis  

OUTFIELDERS: 5 
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki 
Nelson Velazquez

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 2
Ben DeLuzio 
* Mike Tauchman   

OPTIONED: 8
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Miguel Amaya, C 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Jeremiah Estrada, P 
Ryan Jensen, P 
Caleb Kilian, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Codi Heuer, P 
Ethan Roberts, P
  



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