March 18, 2016

Chicago Sun-Times, Hammel-Schwarber battery could get personal this season for Cubs http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/hammel-schwarber-battery-could-get-personal-this-season-for-cubs/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs 15, Diamondbacks 4: Hammel strong, Zo scratched, Baez sore http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-15-diamondbacks-4-hammel-strong-zo-scratched-baez-sore/

Chicago Sun-Times, Try not to suck wind? Russell favors Chicago ballpark tobacco ban http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/try-not-to-suck-wind-russell-favors-chicago-ballpark-tobacco-ban/

Chicago Sun-Times, Rough spring for Cubs’ Hector Rondon, but no worries for manager http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/rough-spring-for-cubs-hector-rondon-but-no-worries-for-manager/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs players scratch heads over ‘bizarre’ LaRoche-Sox drama http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-players-scratch-heads-over-bizarre-laroche-sox-drama/

Cubs.com, Soler, Cubs go on tear of extra-base hits vs. D-backs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/167948190/jorge-soler-cubs-hit-archie-bradley-d-backs

Cubs.com, Maddon: Lead bulls will govern Cubs clubhouse http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/167947208/joe-maddon-lets-veterans-run-cubs-clubhouse

Cubs.com, Hammel thrives again with Schwarber behind plate http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/167961138/cubs-kyle-schwarber-could-catch-jason-hammel

Cubs.com, Retiring Ross, Cubs weigh in on kids in clubhouse http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/167911732/david-ross-cubs-weigh-in-on-kids-in-clubhouse

Cubs.com, Baez nursing sore thumb after headfirst slide http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/167918462/baez-swollen-thumb-after-sliding-head-first

ESPNChicago.com, Panic time for closer Hector Rondon? Not yet, but let's keep watching http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36905/panic-time-for-closer-hector-rondon-not-yet-but-lets-keep-watching

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs win big; Jason Hammel, Kyle Schwarber show they could be tandem http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36898/cubs-win-big-as-jason-hammel-and-kyle-schwarber-could-be-a-thing

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs' Addison Russell OK with smokeless tobacco ban http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36890/addison-russell-ok-with-smokeless-tobacco-ban

ESPNChicago.com, Kids in the clubhouse? Cubs say let players police it http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36881/kids-in-the-clubhouse-cubs-say-let-players-police-it

ESPNChicago.com, Joe Maddon's lineup options taking form after he hears from Cubs' 'geeks' http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/36871/joe-maddons-lineup-options-slowly-starting-to-take-form

CSNChicago.com, Joe Maddon expects Cubs to police their own clubhouse http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/joe-maddon-expects-cubs-police-their-own-clubhouse

CSNChicago.com, Kyle Schwarber could become personal catcher for Jason Hammel http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/kyle-schwarber-could-become-personal-catcher-jason-hammel

CSNChicago.com, Cubs don’t see any winners in White Sox vs. Adam LaRoche http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-don%E2%80%99t-see-any-winners-white-sox-vs-adam-laroche

Chicago Tribune, Clayton Richard at peace with likely role in Cubs bullpen http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-clayton-richard-success-cubs-spring-spt-0318-20160317-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Thursday's recap: Cubs 15, Diamondbacks 4 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-gameday-cubs-spring-training-spt-0318-20160317-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Jason Hammel welcomes Kyle Schwarber as personal catcher http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-jason-hammel-welcomes-kyle-schwarber-20160317-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Addison Russell says Chicago ban on tobacco could help him kick habit http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-addison-russell-tobacco-bits-cubs-spt-0318-20160317-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Joe Maddon supports kids in clubhouse with players' approval http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-gives-players-freedom-20160317-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs alter lineup vs. Diamondbacks http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-prepare-for-opening-night-20160317-story.html

-- Chicago Sun-Times Hammel-Schwarber battery could get personal this season for Cubs By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Kyle Schwarber, the third catcher on the Cubs roster, got most of his game work behind the plate last summer with Jason Hammel pitching, and he was paired with the right-hander again Thursday in a 15-4 exhibition win against the Diamondbacks. Get used to it.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon suggested Schwarber could become essentially Hammel’s personal catcher this year as he looks for spots to start him behind the plate. Some of those decisions on Hammel’s day might “depend on the other team’s pitcher” and starter Miguel Montero’s schedule. But Maddon likes the Schwammel battery. “They seem to work well together,” said Maddon, who said he’s less likely to pair Schwarber with Kyle Hendricks as he did for several starts last year. Hammel, who gave up one run — his first of the spring — in four innings, striking out six, said: “We’re on the same page right now. I think it carried over from last year.” Hammel calls Schwarber “a student of the game” and said he appreciates adjustments Schwarber has made during the offseason and early in camp with his game-calling. “You’ve also seen him stick his leg out, getting him a little lower with his target than he was last year,” Hammel said. “It only helps a guy like me, with tall leverage, where I need that little extra sightline down to help drive the ball down. “It’s a way to get big bats in the lineup, too,” Hammel added. “If that’s the way it ends up playing out, I welcome it 100 percent.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs 15, Diamondbacks 4: Hammel strong, Zo scratched, Baez sore By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs pounded 15 hits, including 12 for extra bases to beat the Diamondbacks in the Cactus League game Thursday night at Sloan Park. Change is good Starter Jason Hammel struck out six in four innings and allowed his first run of the spring. But his strikeout of slugger Paul Goldschmidt with runners at the corners and none out in the first was key for Hammel, mostly because it came on a changeup he’s been working on for right-handers. “I pulled it a little bit but sold it enough with the arm action, and the speed differential was good enough to get a swing,” he said. “So I can start adding that one to the arsenal.” Zobrist nailed Second baseman Ben Zobrist was scratched from Thursday’s lineup after an ingrown toenail worsened after playing Wednesday. “I’ve had them. Those are nasty,” said Maddon, who anticipates sitting Zobrist for a few days. Baez banged up Javy Baez, the Cubs’ super-utility slugger, is expected to be sidelined at least a few days because of a jammed left thumb suffered Wednesday when he slid into first base in a game against the Royals. “You’re always better running through first base. That’s what you try to encourage,” said Maddon, who characterized the injury as little more than soreness. “But those things happen.”

Extra credit The extra-base barrage included three home runs (Jorge Soler, Kris Negron and John Andreoli) and three triples (Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber in the first and Jason Heyward in the fourth). Andreoli leads the team with four homers this spring. They didn’t have a single until getting all three in the eighth. ‘B’ hive Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill, the projected right-handed long men in the Cubs’ bullpen, each pitched three innings in a morning ‘B’ game Thursday against the Diamondbacks. Warren struck out six and gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. Cahill struck out five and gave up just two hits in a scoreless outing. “They both threw really well,” catcher David Ross said. The game ended in a 3-3 tie. On deck Cubs at White Sox, Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m., mlb.com audio, Kyle Hendricks vs. John Danks. -- Chicago Sun-Times Try not to suck wind? Russell favors Chicago ballpark tobacco ban By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. – One of the Cubs’ biggest supporters of Chicago’s ban this week on smokeless tobacco in ballparks is also one of the Cubs’ better-known dippers in the clubhouse, shortstop Addison Russell. “I think it’s a good thing for baseball,” said Russell of the ban that already exists in other major league cities such as Boston and San Francisco. “At the end of the day it’s going to better our health. “You think about 162 games, and you have a full lip most of those innings; your health can get significantly better if you just go a year without that stuff. So I’m all for it.” Russell, who was married in the offseason and has a small child, already was trying to cut down, he said. “I only hit a few doubles last year, but you definitely can feel it,” said Russell, who developed the habit “trying to fit in” with older players in high school. “If you have a big pinch in your lip you’re gassed a little bit. If you have a piece of bubble gum in your mouth, you’re not sucking wind as much.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Rough spring for Cubs’ Hector Rondon, but no worries for manager By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. – Cubs closer Hector Rondon has looked progressively worse in his last three appearances this spring, but manager Joe Maddon blames that on the low stakes of spring training and the delayed start to game action that the late-inning relievers got by design this spring. “I mean, this guy’s used to an adrenaline rush,” Maddon said. “From where I’m standing the stuff looks really good. He’s probably not commanding it exactly where he wants to, maybe too much middle plate.”

Against the Royals on Wednesday, Rondon allowed hits to seven of the nine batters he faced, including a homer, giving up seven runs before being lifted with two outs. “As long as he tells me he’s healthy – and he is – and he feels good about himself, that’s all I’m concerned about,” Maddon said. Rondon, who was demoted from the closer role for a month last season, but in his final 41 appearances, starting in late May, he had a 0.88 ERA and converted 21 of 22 save opportunities. Overall, he was 6-4 with a 1.67 ERA and 30 saves in 72 appearances. “I honestly have zero concern,” Maddon said, “because I know he’s healthy.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs players scratch heads over ‘bizarre’ LaRoche-Sox drama By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. – Jake Arrieta doesn’t claim to know all the details of the Adam LaRoche-White Sox drama over the time LaRoche’s son spent in the clubhouse and on the practice field. But the Cubs’ ace seemed sure where his organization stands on the issue. “I don’t think you’d ever see Theo [Epstein] or Jed [Hoyer] tell Hudson [Lester] or Cooper [Arrieta] to not come to the clubhouse anymore,” Arrieta said of his and pitcher Jon Lester’s sons. “There’s a different sort of vibe and environment here.” The Cubs have made a family-friendly environment a component of the fifth-year regime’s organizational overhaul, an element of attracting and retaining free agents. It includes a 24/7 medical hotline the team provides for players’ families, with access to doctors, designed in particular for when the team is out of town, and the team assigns a security detail at home games devoted to players’ families. Regardless of any differences in organizational philosophies the opposing baseball sides of Chicago might have, Cub players from 14 years of big-league experience to 5 ½ months were left scratching their heads at the news from Sox camp that LaRoche chose to retire after being asked by Kenny Williams, the team’s top baseball executive, to “dial back” the time his son Drake spent in the clubhouse. “It’s unfortunate for both sides,” Arrieta said. “It doesn’t look good for the White Sox. And it makes Adam look bad, which I don’t like. LaRoche is very well respected. I don’t know all the specifics, but it’s unfortunate to see a guy like that go out like this. “It kind of makes me mad to see this kind of thing happen. I want my teammates’ kids in the clubhouse.” Several players have had their kids around the clubhouse this spring, and it’s common during Sunday home games at Wrigley Field. The only official rule the Cubs have is that fathers and sons can be in the clubhouse until team stretch time on the field, though team officials don’t seem especially concerned with imposing any particular policy as long as the players are in agreement on the issue. Manager Joe Maddon said Thursday he doesn’t care, that it’s the players’ clubhouse, and he trusts them to police it. The Cubs even sent first base coach Brandon Hyde’s son, Colton, to the plate with the lineup card before Thursday’s nationally televised spring training game against the Diamondbacks.

“I don’t think it would have been an issue if he drove in 100 and hit 25 [home runs] like he normally does,” Rizzo said of LaRoche. “It’s a shame, because that’s the way the game is. But I know Adam’s a class-act guy. Whenever we go and play them, he’s always got a wounded warrior out there. He’s heavily involved in stuff like that. “It’s the nature of the game though. That’s the way it is.” Arrieta: “It just sucks.” LaRoche hit just .207 with 12 homers in his first year with the Sox last year after signing a two-year, $25 million deal. “When things aren’t going well, unfortunately, in just about every business, you start to look to nit pick where you can maybe clean up areas,” said veteran catcher David Ross, who played part of one season with LaRoche in Atlanta. “It’s a touchy subject, but I think there’s two sides to [every] story,” Ross added. “I feel bad for both sides. It just stinks that they couldn’t find common ground. … I think it’s disappointing for the game in general.” Cubs players seemed to identify with LaRoche’s teammates, who held a lengthy meeting in support of him this week, the Sox teammates at one point threatening to boycott a game. The Cubs and White Sox play Friday in Glendale, Ariz. “I love seeing the kids in here because I can see myself having a son one day in here,” said pitcher Adam Warren, who doesn’t have children by saw kids in and out of the clubhouse in recent years with the Yankees, including manager Joe Girardi’s kids. “Some guys may feel differently. “I look up to guys who have them in here and respect that for sure.” Rizzo, a big kid himself who seems to be a magnet for teammates’ sons, calls it a “dream” to have a son one day who can be around him at the ballpark. “Obviously, if all 25 guys are bringing their kids, and it’s a zoo and it’s a circus, you get together as a group and you police it,” he said. “If there’s somebody in here causing a ruckus I’m sure guys will approach [the dad] and police it on their own.” “We actually had some stuff in Boston,” said Ross, “where we had to set some ground rules, because there were seven kids in the outfield [during batting practice]. So there’s a fine line there of guys getting their work and [kids] not getting in the way.” Ross said the players in Boston took care of their issue quickly and without conflict or drama. “But for [LaRoche’s son] to be allowed to go in there,” Rizzo said, “and then all of a sudden he can’t, that’s just bizarre.” -- Cubs.com Soler, Cubs go on tear of extra-base hits vs. D-backs By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Jorge Soler smacked a two-run homer and an RBI double, and Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward each added RBI triples to spark the Cubs to a 15-4 victory Thursday over the D-backs. Chicago had 14 hits -- 11 for extra bases. Jason Hammel, expected to be the Cubs' fourth starter, scattered five hits over four innings of one-run ball and struck out six in his third spring game.

Hammel said he felt as if the D-backs ambushed him early in the game. "There were a lot of first-pitch hacks on heaters, and really they were seeing heaters," Hammel said. "I made the adjustment after the second inning and started going offspeed early, and it worked out pretty well. I had very good breaking stuff today. I threw a couple good changeups, and obviously, getting ahead was big." Arizona's Jean Segura reached on an infield single to lead off the game, advanced on a single by Socrates Brito, and stole third before scoring on David Peralta's sacrifice fly. But Segura's throwing error in the Cubs' first allowed Dexter Fowler to score after he tripled. Heyward walked, and one out later, he scored on Bryant's double to put the Cubs ahead, 2-1. Bryant scored on Schwarber's triple, and Soler followed with his second spring homer to open a 5-1 lead. Kristopher Negron went deep in the sixth, while John Andreoli homered in the eighth, giving the Cubs 25 home runs this spring, second most among Cactus League teams. The Cubs had runners at first and second with one out in the third, and they made it 6-1 on Soler's RBI double, which knocked Arizona starter Archie Bradley out. Bradley, vying for the D-backs' fifth-starter spot, gave up six runs on five hits and walked three over 2 1/3 innings. Segura hit his second spring home run with one out in the Arizona fifth off Drew Rucinski. D-backs closer Brad Ziegler made his second appearance this spring, and he gave up two runs in the fourth on Heyward's triple and a sacrifice fly by Anthony Rizzo. Up next for the D-backs: Zack Godley, who is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, will start Friday afternoon against the Dodgers at Salt River Fields. The game could see the return of outfielder Yasmany Tomas, who has been out with a sore left knee. Up next for the Cubs: Kyle Hendricks will start Friday when the Cubs travel to Glendale, Ariz., to face their crosstown rivals, the White Sox. This will be the right-hander's third start and fourth appearance this spring. So far, he's struck out 11 over nine innings, and given up one run. The game will begin at 2:05 p.m. CT and be broadcast on MLB.TV and Cubs.com. -- Cubs.com Maddon: Lead bulls will govern Cubs clubhouse By Mike Bauman MESA, Ariz. -- It is an interesting managerial philosophy: If you treat baseball players as adults, then they, in response, will act like adults. This is part and parcel of Joe Maddon's approach to managing, and it will be in full force in his second season managing the Cubs. In another Maddon mixture of literary reference and common sense, the Cubs will have a group of "lead bulls" in charge of all clubhouse matters. The "lead-bull" concept in the clubhouse is Maddon's work, although he freely acknowledges that he borrowed it from the novel "Centennial" by James Michener. This useful information came to light by an indirect route Thursday, as the Cubs worked out at the Sloan Park complex. Maddon was asked, as many people in baseball were being asked, about the Adam LaRoche matter. The frequent presence of LaRoche's son in the White Sox clubhouse led to controversy and LaRoche's retirement. So Madden was asked what his policy was on "kids in the clubhouse."

"We're all for kids on the infield," the manager said with a smile, referring to his corps of talented young infielders. "We were pretty good with that. They have their own lockers. We get them whatever toys that they like. We put their names on their toys. It's something that we kind of advocate. "Regarding actual children, what we attempt to do -- and I'll do it on Sunday -- is I'll have my 'lead bulls' meeting on an annual basis. And in your lead-bull meeting you talk about moments such as that; kids in the clubhouse, dads in the clubhouse, entourages in the clubhouse, everything about the clubhouse, travel, how do you dress, hotels, how do you act. "I like to talk about all that stuff in advance with the lead bulls. The lead bulls are influential people on your team. The influence of the lead bulls came to me through a book by James Michener, where the Indians, not having the wherewithal to kill buffalo other than running them over the cliff, they would find the lead bull, head him in that direction and the rest of the buffalo would follow. Thus, they would have meat and clothing for the entire winter." The Cubs, on the other hand, are looking to take care of themselves over the summer. Maddon gets the leaders of the club together. They agree on policies to govern their environment. The lead bulls take the word to the rest of the players. This philosophy worked for Maddon with the Rays. It wasn't bad last season in Chicago, either. "I like to get my lead bulls and have them run in the right direction," Maddon said. "And then they carry the message to the rest of the group. Quite frankly, I have an office. Every ballpark I'm at, I hang out in my office. They hang out in the clubhouse. If they don't want kids out there and the rule is to not have kids, then they have to go up to a player and say: 'Listen, your kid is not supposed to be here at a certain time.' "I much prefer that the players make that rule and then enforce it. "So with these guys, it will be me in a room with a list of items to talk about, and then we'll listen to anything that they want to talk about. My concept is, once we leave that room, we're all on the same page when it comes to policy. "I don't like the word 'rules,'" Maddon said. "We like to create policy, how we're going to conduct ourselves, how we're going to act. And then I believe it's among the more experienced guys on your team to make sure that it's adhered to. It's not about me to do that. It's not about the coaching staff. It's among the players. It's a part of our overarching philosophy, [which] is to treat you like a man, to give you all the freedom that you need. I believe that we get greater discipline and respect in return." There will be more than a few lead bulls on this year's Cubs team. "I like to keep it under 10, normally, but you look at our team," Maddon said. "This year you include John Lackey, Jason Heyward shows up, Jonny Lester's been there, David Ross, [Anthony] Rizzo, you look in the bullpen you've got guys who have been around. Ben Zobrist will be a part of that; he's been there for a long time. Eight's a perfect number, I think. But I'm not going to exclude anybody because the number is too large. " This is a grown-up, democratic clubhouse model. It may not be the traditional model, but it's one that works. "They know it's legit," Maddon said of his players. "They know how much I respect their opinion, and it's got to work both ways. The dictatorial component of this game, I think, is slowly fading. It was prominent in football; maybe it still is." After all of this, there was yet another question about Maddon's personal feeling regarding kids in the clubhouse. "If the players are OK with it, I'm OK with it," Maddon said. "That's my point. It's up to them." This is not the inmates running the asylum. This is a very astute manager sharing the decision-making with his players. --

Cubs.com Hammel thrives again with Schwarber behind plate By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Jon Lester has David Ross as his personal catcher. Could Jason Hammel be paired this season with Kyle Schwarber? The Cubs are considering a Hammel and Schwarber match, and on Thursday, the two gave manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Chris Bosio more reasons to consider it. Hammel struck out six over four innings against the D-backs with Schwarber behind the plate. Schwarber also delivered an RBI triple in Chicago's 15-4 victory. Hammel was happy with his slider, and he was able to keep it down in the zone and get a lot of swings and misses with it. "That's what I was most excited about today was everything was down," the right-hander said of his pitches. "A couple pitches that Schwarber had trouble handling behind the dish was more for plane-wise. It was kind of hard to see out there today with a tough sun and shadows. I thought he was really good back there. We're on the same page right now." Schwarber did catch Hammel's last regular-season start in 2015, and also several of his bullpen sessions. The latter work was more to help Schwarber in his development as a catcher; he played more games in the outfield than he did behind the plate. "It's no knock on [Miguel Montero], but we're trying to find a way to get big bats in the lineup, too," Hammel said. "If [being matched with Schwarber] is the way it ends up playing out, I welcome it 100 percent." Why does it work? "I think, first of all, he's a student of the game and he's ready to learn," Hammel said of the Cubs' top 2014 Draft pick. "He made a lot of adjustments over the offseason and even early this spring in game calling. You see him sticking his leg out and he's a little lower target than last year. That only helps guys like me -- tall leverage -- where I need that little extra sight line down, that helps a lot, too." Hammel is willing to throw to anyone, but being paired with Schwarber so far is clicking. "Miggy and I worked together all last year, and if you go back to '14, I had [John] Baker all the time," Hammel said. "It puts the guys on the same page, because you see the same thing every time. Decision making becomes quicker and smarter because you know what the other guy is thinking -- you're thinking on the same wave length. It's two brains combined into one. Baker even caught my sides. It's only going to help." Hammel hasn't talked to anyone about having Schwarber as his personal backstop, but may do so soon. "I'm ready to," Hammel said. "Whoever wants to get back there, I'm going to welcome. We have three good ones." -- Cubs.com Retiring Ross, Cubs weigh in on kids in clubhouse By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- One of the reasons David Ross is retiring at the end of the season is to spend more time with his family, and having his 6-year-old son, Cole, in the Cubs' clubhouse the past two days has been special. Ross also recalls being on teams when there were too many children in the clubhouse.

The veteran catcher said he understands a team's decision to not allow children in the clubhouse, a hot topic in the wake of Adam LaRoche's situation. LaRoche has reportedly retired after balking at the White Sox's request for him to reduce the amount of time his 14-year-old son, Drake, is in the clubhouse. "I feel bad for both sides," Ross said Thursday. "It's great to bring your kids to work. I've had my son here the last two days, and I cherish that. I don't take it for granted, and it's a special thing. "It is a game, but it's also a workplace. My family is way more important than my job, for me personally. Sometimes you have to make decisions about your values, your core values. I think Adam made his decisions on what his core values were, and what's important to him in life. More power to him. The White Sox are running a business, and it is a workplace. They make the rules; we don't make the rules. If I made the rules, this would be a crazy place here." Ross and LaRoche were teammates briefly in 2009 in Atlanta, and he recalled getting a ride home with the first baseman after a game. LaRoche had his two young sons in the backseat of the car. What's difficult for Ross to understand is why the White Sox made the decision now. "If I had a year under my belt with an organization, and my son was allowed in and all of a sudden he wasn't, I'd have a problem with it for sure," Ross said. "I'd want to know why. If there was maybe a complaint from a teammate, maybe I could find a common ground." Anthony Rizzo showed his support for LaRoche on Twitter, posting, "With what us baseball players do for a living can never be taken for granted. With that being said family comes before everything." This is LaRoche's second season with the White Sox. Last year, he batted .207 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs in 127 games. "I don't think it would have been an issue if he drove in 100 [runs] and hit 25 [home runs]," Rizzo said Thursday. Cubs catcher Miguel Montero has had his son out for practice a couple times this spring. Colton Hyde, son of Cubs first-base coach Brandon Hyde who will turn 8 years old on Friday, is "like a team mascot," Ross said. Pitcher Adam Warren said children were allowed in the Yankees' clubhouse, and it didn't seem to be an issue. "I think as long as you're able to get your work in, I really don't care personally if the kids are in here," said Warren, who does not have any children. "I love seeing the kids in here, because I can see myself having a son one day in here, looking up to their dad. I think that's really neat. I know what kind of dad I want to be when I have kids. I want to be very involved with them." As for the Cubs' policy, Joe Maddon said the players will decide when they meet with the manager on Sunday. It'll be a meeting of selected veteran players -- whom Maddon has dubbed the "lead bulls" -- and they will establish the ground rules. Maddon noted he's looking into getting a pet bird, possibly a cockatoo or a parrot. He would like a "social" bird, too. -- Cubs.com Baez nursing sore thumb after headfirst slide By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs' Javier Baez was given Thursday off to nurse a swollen left thumb injured sliding head first into a base on Wednesday. Baez broke a finger last season because of a head-first slide and missed one month. Maybe he should consider going feet first?

"In the heat of the moment, you do that," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of head-first slides. "You're always better to run through the bag at first base. ... You encourage foot-first sliding because it bothers the defender." Baez, though, has always led with his hands. "I think I have problems diving head first," Baez admitted. "I put all my weight on my hands. I'm fine." • Ben Zobrist was sidelined Thursday with an ingrown toenail. He is day to day, or step by step. "They can be very, very nasty," Maddon said. "He actually played [Wednesday] on it and it was bothering him." Maddon is still considering where he's going to insert Zobrist in the lineup. He doesn't want to stack too many players ahead of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, which could limit how many at-bats those two get. "As we get deeper into camp here, that last week or 10 days, we'll try to set up different lineups and see what it looks like," Maddon said. • Hector Rondon has given up eight earned runs on 10 hits in his last 1 2/3 innings over two outings, which isn't exactly what a team wants its closer to do. Maddon isn't concerned. "Honestly, and I'm not going to make any excuse for him, but the ninth inning in Surprise and the ninth inning at HoHoKam [Stadium in Cactus League games] -- this guy is used to an adrenaline rush," Maddon said. "From where I'm standing, I think the stuff looks really good. He's probably not commanding it where he wants and maybe too much middle plate. "As long as he tells me he's healthy, and he is, and he feels good about himself, that's all I'm concerned about," Maddon said. "I really mean that. I also think he started a little later than the hitters started this camp. I honestly have zero concern. I know he's healthy." • Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill each threw three innings in a "B" game against the Rockies early Thursday. Warren struck out six, and Cahill fanned five. Both will likely end up in the Cubs bullpen, although Warren said he's only been told that he's being built up as a starter. "I feel I'm a smart person and I know how things look right now," Warren said. "I'm just trying to get ready for the season and they'll tell me where I need to be. Getting in the mindset of just getting ready for the season is the biggest thing for me and not worrying about my role or what position I'm in." As of now, the Cubs rotation appears set with Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks. -- ESPNChicago.com Panic time for closer Hector Rondon? Not yet, but let's keep watching By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- As the at-bats, appearances and innings begin to accumulate this spring, we're often reminded to ignore the statistics -- especially when they aren’t very good. Chicago Cubs closer Hector Rondon might want to take that advice, but should the team ignore his 22.09 ERA after a five-run performance in just 2/3 of an inning Wednesday? Rondon has been getting hit more and more as March inches closer to the regular season. “As long as he’s healthy, that’s all I’m concerned about,” manager Joe Maddon said Thursday. “I really mean that.” But isn’t there a point when performance does matter? Let’s take an extreme situation. What if Rondon has a few more outings like Wednesday, when he gave up seven hits to the Kansas City Royals in less than an inning pitched? There’s little doubt that about 95 percent of the time, spring statistics don’t matter, but once in a while, they foreshadow what’s to come.

“Always when you come in to pitch, you want to throw well, but it’s no big deal,” Rondon said. “The next three, four outings, I don’t want to give up runs, but if they score and my location and pitches are OK, then it’s no big deal.” Player and team were saying the same things about Carlos Marmol in the spring of 2013 and Jose Veras in 2014. Both closers struggled in spring training and carried that to the regular season. These were not coincidences. These pitchers looked equally bad in April and March, but the Cubs ignored the signs. Marmol had a 6.97 spring ERA and gave up five runs in his first three appearances of the regular season. He lost the closer’s job within a week. Veras had a 7.00 ERA, then gave up 10 runs in six April appearances and lost his ninth-inning gig. It’s pretty demoralizing to lose games in the final innings right out of the gate in April. “I feel good,” Rondon said. “My velocity is coming. My location is good. I’m not worried about those runs.” Maddon rolled out all the usual reasons -- some might say excuses -- to ignore results in the spring, including a common one for closers. “The biggest thing is the ninth inning at Hohokam [against Oakland] or the ninth inning in Surprise [against Kansas City]," Maddon said. "I mean, this guy is used to an adrenaline rush." In other words, closers with nothing on the line can’t always muster what’s needed to perform in a meaningless game. In that case, how do we explain Rondon’s 1.00 ERA last spring? His adrenaline was just fine then, and coincidence or not, Rondon had a great April, as he went scoreless in his first six appearances and nine of his first 10. Everything is relative, and if other pitchers are having some spring success, why not one of the most important pitchers on the team? “I have zero concern because I know he’s healthy,” Maddon said. Marmol and Veras also were healthy. But let’s be clear: Every situation is different. The hitters are different, what the pitchers are working on is different, and their track records are different. It’s not like Marmol and Veras were coming off 45-save seasons. The lesson here is that no one should be worried at this particular moment, but if Rondon hasn’t righted the ship 10 days from now, there will be cause for concern. After all, he is human. If he’s awful for seven or eight straight outings, wouldn’t there be some loss of self-confidence heading into April? This isn’t Mariano Rivera we’re talking about. One or two decent outings make this all a moot point, but until that happens, all eyes should be on the Cubs' incumbent closer. He was lights-out last year -- 30 saves and a 1.67 ERA -- but that’s in the past, just like Marmol and Veras quickly became. Both failed to finish the season with the team. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs win big; Jason Hammel, Kyle Schwarber show they could be tandem By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. – The Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 15-4 on Thursday in front of a sellout crowd of 15,329. Here are some takeaways from the game. Jason Hammel/Kyle Schwarber: The duo could be paired during the regular season as the Cubs attempt to find time for Schwarber behind the plate. Hammel is all for it.

“If that’s the way it ends up playing out, I welcome it 100 percent,” Hammel said after throwing four innings. “Decision-making becomes quicker and smarter because you know what the other guy is thinking. You’re kind of thinking on the same wavelength. Two brains combined into one.” Hammel claims Schwarber has made adjustments from last year to this one and even in spring training, where he’s lowered his positioning behind the plate. That’s where Hammel makes his money – down in the zone. He had it going on Thursday, giving up five singles and a run over four innings without walking anyone. “He’s a student of the game,” Hammel said of Schwarber. “He’s ready to learn. He’s made a lot of adjustments. He’s also lowered his target. ... That’s what I was more excited about today. Everything was down.” The first-half Hammel looks to be emerging again. His goal is to make it a successful six-month season instead of just three. He struck out Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning with a great changeup, then sailed through most of his outing. “I can start adding that one to the arsenal,” Hammel said. The offense: After getting shut out on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, the Cubs came back with a vengeance against Arizona as their top players hammered Archie Bradley of the Diamondbacks, scoring five runs in the first inning. Dexter Fowler led off with a triple and scored on an overthrow to third base. Kris Bryant doubled, Schwarber tripled and Jorge Soler homered – all in the opening inning. Later, Jason Heyward tripled as every starter, save Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell, had at least one hit. John Andreoli: The 17th-round draft pick in 2011 continues to impress as he homered for the fourth time this spring Thursday. He’s hitting .370 in Cactus League play and is likely to make his major league debut this year if and when the Cubs need to dip into the minors for an outfielder. B game: Earlier in the day pitchers Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill pitched in a “B” game against the Colorado Rockies. Warren: 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 Ks Cahill: 3 IP, 2 H, 5 Ks Up next: The Cubs take on the White Sox on Friday with Kyle Hendricks on the mound. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs' Addison Russell OK with smokeless tobacco ban By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- One of the Chicago Cubs' most visible users of smokeless tobacco echoed other teammates who partake of the habit by agreeing with a new Chicago ordinance banning its use at Wrigley Field. “This offseason, I was practicing not dipping as much,” shortstop Addison Russell said Thursday. “I have cut it down a lot. I think it’s a good thing for baseball. At the end of the day, it’s going to better our health. I’m all up for it.” Russell, who is often seen on the field or basepaths with a wad of chew in his mouth, sees breaking the habit as a “new challenge.” Cubs catcher Miguel Montero had similar sentiments after the ban was announced Wednesday. Russell started the habit in high school but said quitting or at least using less would be a good thing. “I only hit a few doubles last year, but you definitely can feel it if you have a big pinch in your lip and you’re gassed a little bit, versus if you have a piece of bubble gum in your mouth and you’re not sucking wind as much,” Russell said. “I’m all up for it and support it.”

Ironically, it was non-users, such as manager Joe Maddon and pitcher John Lackey, who questioned the ban, citing the fact that smokeless tobacco is a legal substance and players are “grown men.” But Montero and Russell figure they need a push to quit, and the city of Chicago is giving them one. “It’s just something I’ve grown used to,” Russell said. “I have cut it down a lot, though. I think it’s a good thing for baseball.” The ban will go into effect later this summer, and fines starting at $250 will be handed to players caught using. How the city plans to enforce the ban isn’t known. -- ESPNChicago.com Kids in the clubhouse? Cubs say let players police it By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon will consult with his “lead bulls,” his veteran players, as he does every spring to establish team policies, including the presence of kids in the clubhouse, for the upcoming season. The topic came up in light of Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam LaRoche’s decision to apparently walk away from the game when the organization told him his son’s presence in the clubhouse would have to be limited this year. “It’s among the more experienced guys on the team to make sure it’s adhered to,” Maddon said of team rules. “It’s not about me to do that. It’s among the players. “Once we leave that room, we’re all on the same page when it comes to policy.” In terms of kids being in the clubhouse, Maddon is OK with it if the players are. He said it’s up to them to police their locker room. His players basically echoed that sentiment. “I don’t think you need to draw the line, to be honest,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “If all 25 guys are bringing in their kids and it’s a zoo and a circus, then you get together as a group and police it.” Rizzo, along with many teammates, said it’s a dream of his to one day bring his son to work. He acknowledged performance probably was a factor in the decision by the White Sox. LaRoche hit .207 last season. “It wouldn’t be an issue if he drove in a hundred [runs] and hit 25 [home runs],” Rizzo said. Veteran David Ross took issue with the White Sox allowing LaRoche’s son in the clubhouse last year but not this season. “Success cures a lot of problems,” Ross said. “When things aren’t going well in just about every business, you start to nitpick where you can clean up areas. “If I had a year under my belt with the organization and then my son wasn’t allowed in, I’d have a problem with it.” Jake Arrieta had a similar take. “Having success cures a lot of that crap,” he said. “It doesn’t look good for anyone.” Players also see the other side of the story and had empathy for White Sox brass -- “What the boss says, goes,” Ross said -- but ultimately believe it should have been settled inside the clubhouse not by the front office. Ross recalled the Boston Red Sox having a meeting when players felt there were too many kids shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice, while Rizzo reiterated that if it’s not a distraction, it shouldn’t be a problem. “The joy that it brings to the clubhouse when kids are around is huge,” he said. “It’s a soft spot for me.”

Last season, first base coach Brandon Hyde brought his son around the team as much as anyone. Players got used to him and joked about keeping him out of school during a winning streak. But each team and situation is different, so the Cubs didn’t see any winners in the controversy. “It stinks they couldn’t find a common ground,” Ross said. “My son learns a lot from these guys around here.” -- ESPNChicago.com Joe Maddon's lineup options taking form after he hears from Cubs' 'geeks' By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. – The nerds have been at it again, and the result is Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is leaning toward batting his pitcher ninth in the order this season. "The geeks got back to me," Maddon said on Wednesday. "I got some really good information." At the beginning of camp, Maddon asked the Cubs' front-office guys – often referred to, affectionately, by the manager as geeks – to analyze the pros and cons of having the pitcher bat eighth, as he did often last season. The main thing Maddon wanted to know was how often the No. 8 spot in the order came up with the bases loaded and two outs. It happened six times for the Cubs; the league average was 5.2. "Not a major factor," Maddon said. "It's a roll of a dice sometimes." More than anything, Maddon is concerned with lineup protection. "That's the thing that gets lost in the computer shuffle," Maddon said. "Last year Addison Russell hit ninth to protect him in the order. It's a completely different animal this year." In other words, Maddon intends to do what's best for the team, not just one player. It means Thursday's lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks could look a lot like a regular season one: Dexter Fowler, CF Jason Heyward, RF Ben Zobrist, 2B Anthony Rizzo, 1B Kris Bryant, 3B Kyle Schwarber, C Jorge Soler, LF Addison Russell, SS Jason Hammel, P The Cubs are considering Schwarber behind the plate whenever Hammel is on the mound, but sometimes the opposing pitcher that day combined with what the entire week looks like might suggest otherwise. And don't be shocked if Zobrist is indeed batting third next month. Maddon liked the idea of all his on-base guys in front of his sluggers, citing the team's success with Chris Coghlan batting third last year. With over two weeks to go still, all options are on the table. "I haven't decided anything yet," Maddon said. -- CSNChicago.com Joe Maddon expects Cubs to police their own clubhouse By Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – Joe Maddon’s feelings about kids running around the clubhouse can be summed up with two words: Don’t. Care. While the White Sox go viral with the Adam LaRoche retirement story, exposing issues about the organization’s power structure and clubhouse dynamic, the Cubs keep rolling along at Camp Maddon, where zoo animals, DJs and magicians are always welcome. “It’s not up to me – it’s up to them,” Maddon said, wearing a green “TRY NOT TO SUCK” T-shirt for St. Patrick’s Day at Sloan Park. “I have my own office. I’m considering getting a bird in my office. I’m worried about my bird. “I (need) a bird that can handle not being attended to. I’m looking into the cockatoo right now, some parrots. I’ve always loved birds. “So if, in fact, I actually go through with that, I’m going to have to pay more attention to the bird on a daily basis than what’s happening in the clubhouse.” The White Sox vs. LaRoche will be the backdrop on Friday when the Cubs visit Camelback Ranch in Glendale, where executive vice president Kenny Williams asked a respected veteran player to “dial back” from “100 percent” the amount of time his 14-year-old son spends in the clubhouse. As intriguing as this White Sox team should be with elite talents like Chris Sale, Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier, it will be impossible to miss the perception gap between these two franchises. “We’re all for kids on the infield,” Maddon said. “They do have their own lockers. We get them whatever toys they would like, put their names on their toys. It’s something we kind of advocate. Regarding actual children…” The Cubs manager plans to hold his “Lead Bull Meeting” with a group of veteran players on Sunday, discussing everything from dress codes to travel issues to who belongs in the clubhouse. “My concept is once we leave that room, we’re all on the same page when it comes to policy,” Maddon said. “You know I don’t like the word ‘rules.’ I like to create policy and how we’re going to conduct ourselves, how we’re going to act. “And then I believe it’s among the more experienced guys on your team to make sure that it’s adhered to. It’s not about me to do that. It’s not about the coaching staff to do that. It’s among the players. “That’s a part of our overarching philosophy here, to treat you like a man, give you all the freedoms that you need. And in return, I believe we get greater respect and discipline.” Maddon views himself as an old-school guy who embraces new ideas, someone open to sabermetrics and social media and very comfortable with delegating responsibilities. “The dictatorial component of this game, I think, is slowly fading,” Maddon said. “It was more prominent in football, maybe still is. We play 162 games, therein lies the difference with what we do here in our sport. We don’t play once a week. “We play every day, where we’re in each other’s face every day. You can go out and practice three times a week and play three times a week and there’s a lot of time to massage whatever might be wrong. This game counts tonight, so you got to make sure that everybody’s heads are on right. That’s why I think it’s even more critical to include Major League Baseball players as a part of the policymaking.” So Maddon will point his Lead Bulls in the right direction and get out of the way. “I shouldn’t hear a lot of stuff,” Maddon said, “because it should be taken care of before it ever got back to me. And if it gets back to me, that means somebody’s telling me stuff that they shouldn’t be telling me.

“That’s the way any good organization should run. Whoever is absolutely managing it should be the last guy to hear about some stuff. It only should get to me if it absolutely gets to that point where it absolutely needs my attention. “Otherwise, coaches (and) our players should handle that stuff. And that’s how you get a really good clubhouse.” -- CSNChicago.com Kyle Schwarber could become personal catcher for Jason Hammel By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. — The Jason Hammel reboot could include the Cubs making Kyle Schwarber his personal catcher. After getting healthy, changing the diet and following a different offseason program, the Cubs think Hammel can again become the All-Star-level performer they saw in the first halves of the last two seasons, and not the pitcher who faded down the stretch. Even with two veteran catchers in place, the Cubs haven’t given up on the idea of Schwarber behind the plate, believing it would make sense to pair him up with a particular pitcher while he also works on his outfield defense. “Find a way to get big bats in the lineup,” Hammel said after throwing to Schwarber during a 15-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sloan Park. “If that’s the way it ends up playing out, I welcome it 100 percent.” Hammel gave up one run in four innings and now has 11 strikeouts against one walk through three Cactus League starts. Miguel Montero and David Ross will handle most of the catching responsibilities this year, but Hammel did work well with the rookie catcher last season (3.86 ERA in five starts). “He’s a student of the game,” Hammel said. “He’s ready to learn. He made a lot of adjustments over the course of the offseason and then even in the early part of the spring with game-calling. “He’s also lowered (his stance). You’re seeing him stick his leg out and giving a lower target than he was last year. It only helps the guys like me with tall leverage where I need that little extra sight line down to drive the ball down.” Hammel hasn’t had the personal-catcher talk yet with manager Joe Maddon and the coaching staff, but he’s willing to listen. “You see the same thing every time,” Hammel said. “Decision-making becomes quicker and smarter, because you kind of know what the other guy’s thinking. (You’re) on the same wavelength.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs don’t see any winners in White Sox vs. Adam LaRoche By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. — There are no winners in the showdown between the White Sox and Adam LaRoche. After a very good offseason that might have turned them into playoff contenders, the White Sox are dealing with the kind of drama and distractions that led to the Ozzie Guillen-Kenny Williams breakup. And after a very good career representing a prominent baseball family, LaRoche will be most remembered for walking away from $13 million because the White Sox wouldn’t give his kid unrestricted access to the clubhouse.

What if the White Sox won 97 games last year and LaRoche was coming off an All-Star season? We’ll never know the answer to that question — or exactly what happened inside the clubhouse — but this strange spring-training story doesn’t really have any heroes or villains. Only shades of gray. “I don’t think it would have been an issue if he drove in 100 and hit 25,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said Thursday at Sloan Park. “Like (LaRoche) normally does. It’s a shame.” “Success cures a lot of problems, right?” veteran catcher David Ross said. “When things aren’t going well, unfortunately, in just about every business, you start to look and you nitpick where you can maybe clean up areas.” Rizzo doesn’t have any children, but he goes out of his way to hang out and joke around with the kids in the clubhouse, spending time with Ross’ son, Cole. Rizzo also helped first base coach Brandon Hyde’s son, Colton, become sort of a team mascot/lucky charm when the Cubs got hot last summer and surged into the playoffs. “It’s a dream for me to be able to have my son here hanging out,” Rizzo said. “I don’t think you need to draw a line, to be honest. Obviously, if all 25 guys are bringing in their kids and it’s a zoo and it’s a circus, then you get together as a group and police it. “If there’s someone in here causing a ruckus, I’m sure guys (would) police it on their own. But for him to be allowed to go in there – and then all of a sudden can’t – is just bizarre.” By all accounts, Drake, LaRoche’s 14-year-old son, wasn’t the issue, acting respectful and knowing his place inside the clubhouse. It’s also easy to understand why the White Sox wouldn’t necessarily want every moment to be bring-your-kid-to-work day. “I feel bad for both sides,” said Ross, who briefly played with LaRoche on the Atlanta Braves in 2009. “I’ve had my son here the last two days. I cherish that. I don’t take that for granted. It’s a special thing. It is a game, but it’s also a workplace. “My family is way more important than my job (and) sometimes you got to make decisions about your core values. And I think Adam made his decisions on what his core values were, what’s important to him in life. More power to him. “But the White Sox are running a business (and) they make the rules. We don’t make the rules. If I made the rules, this would be a crazy place.” Are the White Sox making up the rules as they go along? As executive vice president, did Williams also speak for others within the organization bothered by the LaRoche arrangement? Was there a handshake agreement? “If I had a year under my belt with an organization and my son was allowed in — and all of a sudden he wasn’t — I would have a problem with it,” Ross said. “For sure.” “If there’s a policy in place, you understand and you respect it,” Rizzo said. “But just to come out of the blue – I can’t grasp that.” Ross acknowledged the Boston Red Sox needed to set some ground rules at Fenway Park, but described it as a one-meeting deal. Adam Warren – who pitched in The Bronx the last three seasons – never noticed any issues with the New York Yankees. “I love seeing the kids,” Warren said, “because I can see myself having a son one day in here, looking up to their dad. I just think that’s really neat. I know what kind of dad I want to be when I have kids. I want to be very involved with them. I look up to guys who have them in here and respect that.”

LaRoche can afford to retire at the age of 36 after earning more than $70 million in The Show. Friday’s Cubs-Sox game at Camelback Ranch just got a lot more interesting. “At the end of the day, you give your heart and soul to this game,” Ross said. “You do sacrifice a lot when it comes to family for this game. There comes a point in time when you’re tired of sacrificing for your job.” -- Chicago Tribune Clayton Richard at peace with likely role in Cubs bullpen By Mark Gonzales The sharpness of Clayton Richard's pitches on consecutive strikeouts to Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer on March 5 reinforced his confidence. "I feel I'm a better pitcher than I have been my entire career," Richard said. "It's tough to compare to the past, but as far as my pitchability and where I am as far as baseball shape and being on the mound, I'm a better version of myself than I was years ago." Once considered the centerpiece of the five-player deal that sent Jake Peavy from the Padres to the White Sox in 2009, Richard is at peace with his career after an odyssey from the White Sox to the Padres and to the Pirates before landing with the Cubs last season. No longer pestered about questions about his brief quarterback stint at the University of Michigan, Richard, 32, is happy in his role with the Cubs in a less-glamorous but important task. "I understand we have a lot of guys who are starters," Richard said. "I view myself as one of them. Where they end up putting me, that's up to them. I don't have control over it so I'm not going to worry about it. I'll be prepared for whatever role they'll put me in." Manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that Richard might be suited better in relief because of his ability to induce ground balls. "I've accepted that and will be ready for whatever it is, wherever they want me," Richard said. Richard has the resume to challenge for the fifth spot in the rotation. He threw more than 200 innings in 2010 and 2012, winning 14 games in each of those seasons with the Padres. After coping with a bout of shoulder injuries that put his career in doubt, Richard raised his stock last season in the Pirates organization when he posted a 4-2 record and 2.09 ERA in nine starts at Triple-A Indianapolis. The Cubs, who were in need of an emergency starter, acquired him for cash considerations and Richard threw 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball in his Cubs' debut as a starter on July 4. He limited the Brewers to one run over six innings in his final start on Aug. 2 before the arrival of Dan Haren. Richard hasn't allowed a run on two hits while striking out six in five innings covering three spring appearances. But it appears Adam Warren, Trevor Cahill and Travis Wood are getting longer looks as starters in the event of an injury to one of the projected five-man rotation. The consolation prize for Richard is that he's highly valued out of the bullpen after not allowing a run in his final five regular-season appearances with a playoff berth on the line. Then he limited the Cardinals and Mets to a 3-for-16 mark (.188) while not allowing a run in six playoff relief appearances. His sharp slider, which Richard said was a point of emphasis in the offseason, gives him the potential for greater success. The pitch has helped offset a slight dip in velocity for Richard, whose fastball was clocked in the mid-90 mph range when he reached the majors in 2008.

"I don't want to sacrifice velocity," Richard said. "I don't think you have to. As you get older, you know your arm inevitably will slow down a little bit. You just try to stay in the best shape possible to slow that process down." -- Chicago Tribune Thursday's recap: Cubs 15, Diamondbacks 4 By Mark Gonzales Jorge Soler smacked a two-run homer to cap a five-run first inning, and Kristopher Negron and John Andreoli each hit home runs Thursday night as the Cubs rolled to a 15-4 victory over the Diamondbacks before a sellout crowd of 15,329 at Sloan Park. At the plate: Kris Bryant worked on flattening his swing in the winter to eliminate the loop that he believed caused many of his strikeouts and popups. The change worked in the first as he ripped an RBI double down the third base line, and Kyle Schwarber followed with an RBI triple. On the mound: Jason Hammel worked well with Schwarber as he struck out six in four innings. Hammel struck out Paul Goldschmidt on a changeup with a runner in scoring position in the first, and he struck out pinch-hitter Jake Lamb on a slider to end the fourth. In the field: Shortstop Addison Russell showed his range by moving far to his left before spinning and throwing to first to retire Brett Hayes in the fourth. Key number: 4 — Triples the Cubs hit. The quote: "If I made the rules, this would be a crazy place." — David Ross Up next: Vs. White Sox, 3:05 p.m. Friday at Camelback Ranch. RH Kyle Hendricks vs. LH John Danks. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Jason Hammel welcomes Kyle Schwarber as personal catcher By Mark Gonzales The development of Kyle Schwarber as a catcher took a big step Wednesday when manager Joe Maddon hinted that his prized second-year player would handle Jason Hammel’s starts. And Hammel seemed extremely pleased to work with Schwarber – his third catcher in as many seasons with the Cubs. “We’re on the same page,” Hammel said Thursday night after throwing four innings of one-run ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks while praising Schwarber for his progress. Schwarber, who plays left field most of the time, caught Hammel more frequently toward the end of the 2015 season, and Hammel was quick to praise Schwarber for his work when Hammel threw five scoreless innings in his final start at Cincinnati. “No knock on Miggy (Miguel Montero), either,” Hammel said. “But you find a way to get big bats in the lineup, too. If that’s the way it ends up playing out, I welcome it 100 percent.” Hammel noticed Schwarber’s improvement in pitch selection and extending his right leg to give the 6-foot-6 Hammel a lower target. Those improvements can only help Hammel, who liked working with John Baker

exclusively during the first half of 2014 (before Hammel was dealt to the Oakland Athletics) and with Montero last season. “It puts guys on the same page because you see the same thing every time, so decision making becomes quicker and smarter because you know what the other guy is thinking,” Hammel said. “It’s kind of thinking on the same wave length with two brains combined into one. “I’m ready to have (those conversations). Whoever is going back there, I’m going to welcome because we got three good ones.” -- Chicago Tribune Addison Russell says Chicago ban on tobacco could help him kick habit By Mark Gonzales Addison Russell said he started reducing his tobacco habit before the city of Chicago enacted a law banning its use at professional venues and believes the new law will help him on the field. "I only hit a few doubles last year, but you definitely can feel it if you have a big pinch in your lip and you're gassed a little bit versus if you have a piece of bubble gum in your mouth and you're not sucking wind as much," Russell said Thursday. "I'm all up for it and support it." Russell, 22, said he started using tobacco as a freshman in high school as a way to fit in with his older varsity teammates. "This past offseason, I was very big into health and I cut back a lot, and I'm kind of glad that (Chicago) is making this push," Russell said. Respect for Rondon: Manager Joe Maddon reiterated his support for closer Hector Rondon, who has been peppered for nine runs on 13 hits in his last three appearances. "As long as he tells me he's healthy and he is and feels good about himself, that's all I'm concerned about," Maddon said. "I really mean that." Maddon also said Rondon made his spring debut later than most of the opposing hitters, as the Cubs want to preserve Rondon's arm after he made 136 appearances the past two seasons. "I have zero concern because I know he's healthy," Maddon said. Extra innings: Second baseman Ben Zobrist could miss a few games because of an ingrown toenail. … Javier Baez said his wrist was fine, one day after jamming it while attempting a head-first slide. "I hit the bag wrong, but I'm fine," said Baez, who said he could have played Thursday. … Adam Warren struck out six in three innings in a B game against the Rockies. "They haven't told me a whole lot, other than 'We're building you up as a starter right now.'" Warren said. "But I feel I'm a smart person and know what things look like right now." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Joe Maddon supports kids in clubhouse with players' approval By Mark Gonzales Manager Joe Maddon is comfortable with kids in the Chicago Cubs' clubhouse as long as his players support the policy.

In fact, Maddon said Thursday he conducts "Lead Bull" meetings with about eight to 10 players each spring to set team policies for the regular season. Maddon gave a lengthy explanation of his team's policies in the wake of the White Sox's controversy over Adam LaRoche's decision to retire after being told his 14-year-old son Drake no longer could stay with him on a daily basis. "If the players are OK with it, then I’m OK with it," Maddon said of players having kids in the clubhouse. "That’s my point. It's not up to me. It’s up to them. I have my own office. "I’m considering getting my own bird in my office. I’m worried about my bird. I'm trying to find the bird that can handle not being attended to. "I’ve always loved birds. If I do get a bird, I’ll have to pay more attention to the bird than the clubhouse." Maddon is scheduled to hold his Lead Bull meeting on Sunday to discuss kids and fathers in the clubhouse, travel, dress codes and behavior in hotels. "Lead bulls are the more influential people on your team," said Maddon, who got the idea after reading author James Michener's novel "Centennial." "The Indians didn't have the wherewithal to kill the buffalo other than running them over a cliff," Maddon said. "But by finding the lead bull, head him in that direction, and the rest would follow. Thus, they would have meat and clothing for the entire winter. "I’d like to get my lead bulls and have them run in the right direction and they carry the message to the rest of the group. Quite frankly, I’ve had an office at every ballpark I’m at. I hang out at office. If they don’t want kids out there and the rule is to not have kids, then they have to go up to the player and say, 'listen, the kid is not supposed to be there at a certain time.' So I’d much prefer the players make that rule and enforce it." "My concept is once we leave that room, we’re all on the same page when it comes to policy." Many Cubs players expressed their support for LaRoche. Anthony Rizzo thought the Sox's sudden stance was dictated by La Roche's poor 2015 season. "Personally, I don’t think it would have been an issue had he drove in 100 and hit 25 (home runs), as he normally does," Rizzo said. "It’s a shame because it’s the way this game is. But I know Adam is a class act guy. Whenever we play his teams, he’s always has a Wounded Warrior there, and he's heavily involved. "It’s the nature of this game, though. That’s the way it is.’’ Rizzo said he and his teammates loved having coach Brandon Hyde's young son Colton around the team and was disappointed when Colton returned to school last fall. “We were kind of mad when he wasn’t around," Rizzo recalled. "We were getting on Hyde about that. "If there’s a policy in place, you understand and respect it." Rizzo said. "But to come out of the blue, I can’t grasp that.’’ David Ross played with LaRoche in Atlanta and described him as a good teammate and father. But Ross said the 2013 Boston Red Sox held a meeting to discuss issues involving children on the field and in the clubhouse. "We had to set some ground rules because there were seven kids in the outfield and guys were trying to grab balls," Ross recalled. "So there’s a fine line of guys getting their work in and (kids) not getting in the way.

"Most teams I’ve been on, kids are out of the clubhouse before (pre-game) stretching, and they can come in when you win. But I’ve read dynamics about language. For me, that’s on the dad. When you bring your son in the clubhouse, we got to have discussions about language, what you see and not to repeat it. That’s a different dynamic. That’s more on the dad. And I (understand) there could be players uncomfortable about whether they want my 6-year-old to hear (players') night out the night before." Ross stressed the importance of setting rules before the season. "Sometimes if the rule is not in place before you get there, when you make it in the middle of the season, it makes it harder," Ross said. "It’s much tougher to live with. Why are we changing now? Is it my son? What have I done? Who am I bothering? "You want to start protecting your nest kind of thing. You want to stick up for your family. That’s the fine line everyone sees. And it’s all individual for me. It speaks for both sides." Cubs ace Jake Arrieta understood the stances of LaRoche and the Sox. "I can see both sides of it, but the experiences for him and his son in the clubhouse are special," Arrieta said. "As teammates, we get that. I want John Lackey’s son here. I want to see Jon Lester’s son Hudson here. I want Cooper here. Pedro Strop has kids. I want his son here I want that for my teammates because it’s special for the kids. It’s memories you’ll never be able to replace. "If it’s every day, that can be an issue. But I don’t know that. I don’t know the specifics. If it was a distraction, that would be one thing. I don’t know if it was. "It probably wasn’t. It’s not cool to see a guy like that go out this way. He’s been respected around the league forever. So it’s an unfortunate situation. Just unfortunate." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs alter lineup vs. Diamondbacks By Mark Gonzales With the Chicago Cubs leaving Arizona in less than two weeks, manager Joe Maddon is examining various lineup combinations with more scrutiny. That appears to be the case with Thursday's lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sloan Park before an expected sellout crowd at Sloan Park and a national television audience. Maddon loves mixing his lineup with right-handed and left-handed hitters, and he has the resources to accomplish that. However, the Cubs switched their lineup, with Ben Zobrist no longer batting third and playing second. Anthony Rizzo moved up to the third spot. Munenori Kawasaki will play second and bat eighth. Any speculation over whether this is virtually identical to the Cubs' opening night lineup on April 4 should be defused by the fact that Jason Hammel will start on the mound with Kyle Schwarber behind the plate. Schwarber might not make his first regular season start at catcher until the fourth game on April 8 against the Diamondbacks. Miguel Montero, who is not in the starting lineup, is expected to start opening night with Jake Arrieta on the mound. The Cubs will play Colorado in a "B" game Thursday at noon (CT) at Salt River Fields, with Adam Warren and Trevor Cahill scheduled to pitch.

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