Pitchers And Catchers Report

[Clapp]

Well as expected the Cubs are going to go with a left-handed batter 2nd in the lineup against righties. Just didn't expect it to be Fuk. So this means Fontenot will be 6th or 7th. I'd rather Miles and Theriot were 2/8 when they both play, rather than 7/8.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->PEORIA, Ariz. — Kosuke Fukudome stopped by the Cubs' clubhouse Tuesday before working out with Team Japan in Scottsdale.

Though ESPN analyst Steve Phillips recently said manager Lou Piniella mishandled the Japanese outfielder in his rookie season in the majors, Fukudome and Piniella embraced like old friends. They say they've never had any problems, which is why Piniella was so upset with the characterization.

"He looks wonderful, in really good shape," Piniella said. "I told him we're holding a spot for him. I'm going to put him out in center field, and I'm going to try him in the No. 2 hole in the lineup.

"It was nice seeing him. He said he has been working hard. He's excited about this World Baseball Classic, and afterward he's looking forward to joining us."

The players are looking forward to seeing Fukudome, who will face them Thursday when Team Japan plays the Cubs at HoHoKam Park.

"I expect a huge year out of 'Fukie,' " Ryan Theriot said. "I think last year was an adjustment for him. I know how he was feeling because I went through the same thing, although I didn't have to learn a new language and totally change my routine like he did."




Koskie watch: ESPN's Rick Sutcliffe told Piniella he would give him a scouting report on Corey Koskie, who was playing for Canada in the WBC. Unfortunately, Koskie did not play before Canada was eliminated.

"Maybe that's why I didn't get the report," Piniella said with a laugh.

Koskie will join the Cubs by Thursday and will get a chance to earn a spot as the backup third baseman after being out of baseball for two years. Koskie is likely to start in the minors, with Mike Fontenot serving as the backup at third.

Oakland played shortstop Bobby Crosby at third Monday in an effort to shop him, but one scout said Crosby didn't look comfortable, making a trade to the Cubs appear unlikely.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sullibitch

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Lou Piniella used a DH, letting Dempster sit on his 1.000 spring average. "I don't know what's going on," Dempster said. "You don't see a lot of 1.000 hitters sitting on the bench."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Giff]

<!--quoteo(post=22862:date=Mar 10 2009, 11:34 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 10 2009, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Lou Piniella used a DH, letting Dempster sit on his 1.000 spring average. "I don't know what's going on," Dempster said. "You don't see a lot of 1.000 hitters sitting on the bench."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] I love Dempster.

[twitterwoods]

<!--quoteo(post=22862:date=Mar 10 2009, 11:34 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 10 2009, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Lou Piniella used a DH, letting Dempster sit on his 1.000 spring average. "I don't know what's going on," Dempster said. "You don't see a lot of 1.000 hitters sitting on the bench."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/funny.gif[/img]

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Harden allowed two hits while striking out one, throwing 17 of his 25 pitches for strikes. <b>Manager Lou Piniella announced before the game that Harden would be his No. 4 starter, pitching April 10 in Milwaukee.</b>
<b>
The rotation is rounding into shape, with Ted Lilly as No. 3 and Sean Marshall likely in the fifth hole. Piniella said he would skip the fifth starter because of a day off in the first week, saving Marshall for the opening of the St. Louis series April 16 at Wrigley Field. Marshall can be available out of the bullpen the first week, assuming he's named the starter.</b>

The only other question is who will be the Opening Day starter April 6 in Houston. Piniella has spoken to Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, and both have said they would like to pitch that day.

<b>"Me and Zambrano don't even talk anymore," Dempster deadpanned. "Actually, I'm just kind of digging this middle-relief role."</b>

Dempster threw three shutout innings in relief of Harden, getting the cheap victory and saying it was "the best I've thrown all spring." Aaron Heilman, a long-shot candidate for the rotation, also threw three strong innings, allowing one run while striking out five.

But the story was Harden.

"It's nice to get that first one out of the way," he said. "I feel normal now, like I'm part of the team."

Harden, of course, is already a major part of the team, having gone 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts after arriving from Oakland last June in a multiplayer trade. He said he felt strong after Tuesday's outing but didn't want to predict he's back for good.

"I don't want to think about that too much," he said. "There's still a long ways to go. I feel great. Hopefully, I'll continue on this path. I've put a lot of hard work in."

Harden may be the most feared No. 4 starter in baseball if he pitches as effectively as he did with the Cubs last year. While some worry about arm problems, his teammates are dreaming of watching a healthy Harden go a whole season without having to deal with the Wood-Prior comparisons.

"He has worked really hard this winter and I'm sure he'll surprise a lot of people being able to make every start he's asked to make," Dempster said. "He's in really good shape, and a healthy Rich Harden … the numbers don't lie. He's pretty dominating, as dominating as anyone in the game. It'll be fun to watch him every fifth day."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Giff]

I just hope we don't see Harden and Marshall on back-to-back days very much. That won't be good for the bullpen.

[Clapp]

Sullivan:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->With the first four rotation spots set and Mike Fontenot virtually sealing the second base job, the only decisions left are at backup catcher, whether to use Carlos Marmol or Kevin Gregg as the closer, a final bullpen spot and whether to have Micah Hoffpauir as the 25th man or find a utilityman who can play short and third.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Andy]

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[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=23245:date=Mar 12 2009, 10:14 PM:name=Andy)-->QUOTE (Andy @ Mar 12 2009, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/videoplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fvp.video.google.com%2Fvideodownload%3Fversion%3D0%26secureurl%3DqAAAAPCZD0ddCGBZjZs6HcCGJYdMAx89m9bo72M8dda3o9EM4-m7OgbjnRVJKKBAxxrQb2Ej_UKpFVtM1iBVa4A4FB9Cp7RT0lFSHVk2NuKdYjJDeLyjBlM_wKH8nNBB-WX2w6DjBEseFdbqRBdHCZgXlLXH808iU4mDsZIRW4lRDCoh0k_ql1QKzR6CWS9Q6iIqkq5B51xVksEvx
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Video doesn't work

[biggz]

Milton At-Bat

[Clapp]

Good to see he's got that temper in control. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rollin.gif[/img]

[Butcher]

I love it.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Aaron Miles is expected to be sidelined through the weekend with a sore right shoulder. Miles is battling Mike Fontenot for the second base job and there are indications that the Cubs may be leaning toward making him a utility man.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=23272:date=Mar 13 2009, 10:35 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Mar 13 2009, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Aaron Miles is expected to be sidelined through the weekend with a sore right shoulder. Miles is battling Mike Fontenot for the second base job and there are indications that the Cubs may be leaning toward making him a utility man.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Was it really ever a question?