Faced with a crowded roster of infielders, the Cubs designated shortstop Andrelton Simmons for assignment before Saturday’s game. Simmons had been on a rehab assignment with Iowa after recovering from a right shoulder strain. He last played in a major league game on July 10 in Los Angeles. “There’s no room for him, to be … Read more
With nothing at stake for the Cubs the rest of the way, there doesn’t appear to be much need for pitcher Kyle Hendricks or outfielder Jason Heyward to return from injuries. But manager David Ross didn’t want to rule it out. “I hope (they’re not done for the season), to be honest with you,” Ross … Read more
The Cubs’ heavy emphasis on pitching continued through the third and final day of the MLB Draft. The final position count was 16 pitchers (14 right-handers and two lefties), two outfield, one shortstop and one catcher. Scouting director Dan Kantrovitz projected the team will be able to sign around 18 or 19 of the players … Read more
Jed Hoyer was busy with the draft, but it would be interesting to know the thoughts of any member of the Ricketts family last weekend, when the Cubs’ losing streak ended at nine in a row and dozens of “Let’s go Mets” chants erupted at Wrigley Field. Did they think, “This is unacceptable for a … Read more
Four-and five-run deficits are awfully tough to come back from in the major leagues. Sure, the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees and Astros will pull them off now and again. But bottom-tier teams are normally dead and buried when facing such a hole. That hasn’t been the case with the Cubs, however, as manager David Ross’ squad … Read more
Even with all the bad news the White Sox have endured this season, things got worse Sunday. Shortstop Tim Anderson had to be helped off the field in the fifth inning after suffering a right groin strain. Manager Tony La Russa said Anderson is headed to the injured list “for sure.” “It was devastating,” third … Read more
Patrick Wisdom held up reporters gathering around his locker so he could change out of his jersey and into a “Schwisdom” T-shirt. The two Cubs long-haul major leaguers accomplished a rare feat, hitting back-to-back home runs on consecutive days. Frank Schwindel followed Wisdom in Sunday’s eighth inning to give the Cubs a much-needed 5-4 victory … Read more
Do not look now but the Cubs’ starting rotation seems to be rounding into form. Kyle Hendricks allowed 1 run in his last two starts; Justin Steele mowed down 10 Diamondbacks on Sunday; and Wade Miley gave up just 1 hit in 7 innings to the Pirates on Monday. Keegan Thompson kept the train rolling … Read more
Marcus Stroman was the picture of consistency last season for the New York Mets, allowing 4 or more earned runs just four times in 33 starts. So far in Chicago, that picture looks a lot fuzzier. After yielding 5 earned runs in Colorado last Friday, Stroman struggled mightily in the Cubs’ 8-2 loss to Tampa … Read more