March 22, 2015

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Kris Bryant delivers message to brass, baseballs to fans in left field http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/459970/cubs-kris-bryant-delivers-message-brass-baseballs-fans-left-field

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Starlin Castro scratched from lineup because of tight groin http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/459672/cubs-starlin-castro-scratched-lineup-tight-groin

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs' Jon Lester tries to calm $155 million fears over skipped start http://chicago.suntimes.com/baseball/7/71/459414/cubs-jon-lester-tries-calm-155-million-fears-skipped-start

Daily Herald, Why Cubs will need more roster flexibility http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150321/sports/150329744/

Cubs.com, Bryant adds two homers, including one off Felix http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/113860338/bryant-adds-two-homers-including-one-off-felix

Cubs.com, Lester: Arm issue 'nothing out of the ordinary' http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/113833700/cubs-left-hander-jon-lester-arm-issue-nothing-out-of-the-ordinary

Cubs.com, Bryant gaining confidence as spring spree continues apace http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/113873124/chicago-cubs-prospect-kris-bryant-hits-two-home-runs-one-off-felix-hernandez-on-saturday

Cubs.com, Olt can relate to Bryant's shoulder issues http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/113867688/chicago-cubs-third-baseman-mike-olt-commiserates-kris-bryants-shoulder-situation

Cubs.com, Cubs phenom Bryant letting his play speak volumes http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/113942384/mike-bauman-cubs-prospect-kris-bryant-letting-his-play-speak-volumes

ESPNChicago.com, Kris Bryant: 'I couldn't be happier' http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/12533957/kris-bryant-chicago-cubs-prospect-continues-home-run-tear

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro scratched with right groin tightness http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29336/cubs-shortstop-starlin-castro-scratched-with-right-groin-tightness

ESPNChicago.com, Jon Lester says fatigue issue is normal http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/29331/chicago-cubs-pitcher-jon-lester-fatigue-issue-is-normal

CSNChicago.com, Cubs: Kris Bryant is playing with a chip on his shoulder http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-kris-bryant-playing-chip-his-shoulder

CSNChicago.com, Cubs: Starlin Castro listed as day-to-day with groin injury http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/cubs-starlin-castro-listed-day-day-groin-injury

CSNChicago.com, No alarm bells for the Cubs and Jon Lester http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/no-alarm-bells-cubs-and-jon-lester

Chicago Tribune, Kris Bryant relaxed after meeting with Joe Maddon http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-kris-bryant-relaxed-20150321-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Saturday's recap: Cubs 12, Mariners 10 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-gameday-cubs-spring-training-spt-0322-20150321-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Jon Lester not worried about 'dead' arm http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-jon-lester-not-worried-20150321-story.html

-- Sun-Times Cubs' Kris Bryant delivers message to brass, baseballs to fans in left field Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, ARZ. — In his first game back in the field since a weeklong bout with shoulder fatigue, Kris Bryant gunned five perfect throws from third base for outs (“I do try to throw it as hard as I can”) and also delivered his third multi-homer game in 10 days – the first off Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. Service time issues or not, his MLB-leading seventh and eighth homers of the spring were just the latest special deliveries in the message he’s trying to send management. “Yeah, I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder,” he said, “but at the same time having fun.” Baseball America’s top-ranked prospect is 12-for-25 (.480) with a 1.520 slugging percentage and .552 on-base percentage this spring, with more home runs than strikeouts (seven). That doesn’t count the two-run homer against the Angels in Thursday’s B game. Despite the obvious likelihood he’ll open the season in the minors for a couple of weeks to retain an additional year of club control before free agency, Bryant said he still believes he has a chance to make the Opening Day roster. “Absolutely,” he said. -- Sun-Times Cubs' Starlin Castro scratched from lineup because of tight groin Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – Just when it looked like Starlin Castro might get through his first spring in three years without a leg injury, the All-Star shortstop was scratched from Saturday’s lineup because of right groin tightness. The team does not consider it serious and calls it a day-to-day injury. Prized shortstop prospect Addison Russell took Castro’s place in Saturday’s lineup. Castro missed significant game time each of the last two springs because of hamstring injuries but opened the season on time each year. A team spokesman said Castro may have started to experience the groin issue in Thursday night’s game against Arizona – during which he committed two defensive miscues in one inning. The Cubs open the season two weeks from Sunday. -- Sun-Times Cubs' Jon Lester tries to calm $155 million fears over skipped start Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. – Jon Lester, the $155 million left-hander the Cubs have built their competitive pitching hopes around, dismissed concerns that the “dead arm” condition that scratched him from Saturday’s start is anything more than a routine, “normal” part of spring training. “It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” Lester said. “There’s no pain; there’s no worry; there’s no anything on anybody’s part. We all know how to go about this. I don’t think there’s any worry on any end from the training staff to the coaching staff to my side of it.” At least twice the size of the usual media contingent descended on Cubs camp Saturday for what might be nothing more than a minor, short-term issue, underscoring the magnitude of one of baseball’s biggest free agents of the winter and his place in the Cubs’ competitive plans. “I totally get all of that,” manager Joe Maddon said. “That’s why wer’e just trying to make our best guess right now to keep it at a minimum, keep him ready for Opening Day. But, of course, you can’t deny that there’s going to be a lot of consternation, concern, whatever you want to call it.” Lester, 31, plans to resume a regular between-starts throwing regimen to make a fourth Cactus League start Thursday and said he has no concerns the missed start will prevent him from making his Opening Night start as scheduled April 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals. “There’s no point in trying to grind through it right now,” he said. “These games don’t mean anything. If it was April 15, it wouldn’t be an issue. “I’ve dealt with it during the season, and you just keep pitching. But now we have the time and the opportunity to kind of sit back and just rest and make sure it’s right for the season. That’s the main focus right now, getting it right for that.” Lester said he annually deals with the issue that is common among pitchers but has never missed a spring start because of it. When it has happened during spring training, he said, it usually has happened earlier in camp, he said, and he adjusts his bullpen and batting practice throwing. “It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “It’s just part of throwing, getting back used to doing this every five days. … It doesn’t really feel like anything. Just kind of a more total body deadness, and then obviously everybody puts a label on it as far as dead arm.” Despite getting roughed up by the Padres on Monday, he said the arm was fine during that start.

Lester has remained remarkably durable during his career, making no fewer than 31 starts in any of the last seven seasons. How? Why? “I don’t know,” he said. “Luck? we all have things that we deal with during the season that come up and I’ve been fortunate enough to kind of minimize those things to where I’m still able to pitch. “I don’t know. I just try to pitch as many starts as I can. That’s all I try to worry about.” -- Daily Herald Why Cubs will need more roster flexibility Bruce Miles When it comes to the Cubs' opening-night roster, it's important to remember two numbers: 12 and 3. Like most teams, the Cubs are likely to break spring training with a 12-man pitching staff. It wasn't that long ago when 11 was the norm, giving National League managers an extra bench man. However, 3 will become an even more important number because the Cubs look ready to go north with three catchers: Miguel Montero, David Ross and Welington Castillo. Although they had a competent No. 1 catcher in Castillo, the Cubs added Montero and Ross this off-season. Since the Cubs aren't going to give away Castillo, they'll go with three even though manager Joe Maddon said early in camp that he'd have to be "creative" to make that work. The Cubs roster also will be affected by whether they keep second baseman Javier Baez on the major-league roster or option him to Class AAA Iowa. Baez entered Saturday with a line of .100/.129/.200 with 1 home run and 11 strikeouts in 30 at-bats. Assuming they keep three catchers, they'll want flexibility among the remaining position players, virtually assuring a spot for the versatile Arismendy Alcantara and making it likely infielder Tommy La Stella makes the team. The rest of the position-player makeup of the Cubs roster looks like this: Infielders: First baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Starlin Castro are mainstays. If third-base prospect Kris Bryant opens the season at Iowa as expected, it opens the way for Mike Olt to start. Alcantara, who also can play center field, likely would get the nod at second base if Baez is sent down, with La Stella serving as utility infielder. Manager Joe Maddon reiterated this past week that Baez is not a lock to make the team. "Of course, there's a chance he doesn't make the team," Maddon told reporters. "The entitlement program doesn't exist. Everything has to be earned. He has things he has to learn how to do yet. He shows signs of brilliance at times. To this point, he's had a lot of good at-bats and hit some balls hard. Then he'll show the out-of-control swing that bothers him a little bit, and I think it bothers the fans more than it bothers me." Outfielders:

Things look crowded here, especially with right-handed hitting Matt Szczur pushing to make the roster with a strong spring. Szczur, who got into 33 big-league games last year, entered Saturday with a line of .360/.439/.840 with 3 home runs, a double and a triple. Dexter Fowler is a fixture in center field and in the leadoff spot. Jorge Soler has had a strong spring in right, and he could end up being a force. Left field looks to be a platoon with left-handed hitting Chris Coghlan and right-handed hitting Chris Denorfia. That could leave the final position-player spot to a battle among Szczur, Ryan Sweeney and Junior Lake. Sweeney, a left-handed batter, is a veteran entering the second season of a two-year contract. He has battled injuries for much of his career. Lester update: Left-handed ace Jon Lester missed Saturday's start with fatigue in his pitching arm. However, he told reporters he has experienced this "dead-arm" period before. "It's something we all go through," Lester said Saturday, as quoted by cubs.com. "Usually mine is either a little bit early or later (in spring). I'm sure Joe (Maddon) said if this was during the season, it wouldn't be an issue. Since we have time, we have the opportunity to set back and let it be for a start and kind of get back to normal. "It's nothing out of the ordinary. It's one of those things that you have to go through to understand. It doesn't feel like anything. It's more total body deadness and everybody puts a label on it as far as 'dead arm.' It's nothing to be alarmed about." Lester is scheduled as the opening-night starter against the Cardinals on April 5. -- Cubs.com Bryant adds two homers, including one off Felix Prospect leads Cubs' scoring spree vs. Mariners Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Top prospect Kris Bryant notched his third two-homer game this spring to raise his total to eight home runs, most in the Major Leagues, and Addison Russell added a two-run shot to power the Cubs to a 12-10 victory Saturday over the Mariners. Bryant connected in the first off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez with a runner at second and one out, launching a 2-2 pitch far back onto the left-field berm. It was the first home run off Hernandez this spring. This was Bryant's first game at third base since March 12 after being sidelined with fatigue in his right shoulder. It hasn't affected his hitting. Bryant also hit two homers on March 12, and again on March 14. Bryant launched No. 8 with two on and one out in the fourth off Kevin Correia. On Thursday, he hit another home run in a "B" game, but that doesn't count in the spring statistics. But the Mariners ace brushed off the poor outing and said it was just part of the process of getting ready for Opening Day. "It's part of the game," Hernandez said. "I definitely didn't have the results I wanted, but I got my work in and threw a lot of pitches. That's what I'm here for." Asked about Bryant's homer, Hernandez said: "Big power. Nice. He looked good at the plate. He hit bad pitches. It's Spring Training."

The Mariners took advantage of two outfield miscues to tally in the third. Brad Miller reached second on a double that center fielder Dexter Fowler lost in the sun, and then scored on right fielder Jorge Soler's error as he couldn't get his glove on Austin Jackson's fly ball. Jackson then tallied on Robinson Cano's groundout. Nelson Cruz followed with a solo homer to tie the game at 3. Anthony Rizzo hit a go-ahead RBI double with two outs in the Cubs third and then scored on Russell's homer, his first this spring, which chased Hernandez. Welington Castillo, who hit a RBI double in the second, added a solo shot leading off the fourth. In the eighth, Seattle's Austin Wilson hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer off Andres Santiago, scoring Jordy Lara and Chris Mariscal, after the ball got by Junior Lake in left-center. The Cubs rank among the Major League leaders with 28 home runs this spring. Up next: Jason Hammel will make his fourth spring start Sunday as the Cubs play host to the Padres at Sloan Park in Mesa. Expect to see plenty of clean-shaven Cubs, including manager Joe Maddon as they take part in a "Respect Bald" event to raise money for the battle against pediatric cancer. Maddon and others will have their heads shaved at 1:30 p.m. CT on Field 1 at the Cubs complex. Fans can participate by donating $100 to get their heads shaved alongside the players. Besides the trim, fans will receive a T-shirt. Sunday's game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet and WBBM Radio, starting at 3:05 p.m. CT. -- Cubs.com Lester: Arm issue 'nothing out of the ordinary' Lefty says he'd pitch through it during season, plans to make next start Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- As far as Jon Lester is concerned, the tired-arm phase he's going through now is a normal part of Spring Training, and the Cubs left-hander says he'll be ready for Opening Night, April 5. Lester was scratched from Saturday's Cactus League start against the Mariners because of a "dead arm." Nearly every starting pitcher in the Major Leagues can relate. "It's something we all go through," Lester said Saturday. "Usually mine is either a little bit early or later [in spring]. I'm sure [Cubs manager] Joe [Maddon] said if this was during the season, it wouldn't be an issue. Since we have time, we have the opportunity to sit back and let it be for a start and kind of get back to normal. We decided to use that option. "You can ask every pitcher; it's an every-year thing for everybody. It's nothing out of the ordinary." There is no pain or discomfort, according to Lester. "It's one of those things that you have to go through to understand," he said. "It doesn't feel like anything. It's more total body deadness, and everybody puts a label on it as far as 'dead arm.' It's nothing to be alarmed about. There's no point in trying to grind through it right now. These games don't mean anything. If it was April 15, it wouldn't be an issue." Cubs pitcher Travis Wood could relate. "It's a weird feeling," Wood said. "Nothing hurts, the ball's just not coming out right. The ball might even be coming out the same speed, but it just doesn't feel like it. Nothing feels right." Maddon has experienced this with other pitchers.

"They hit that moment when you just don't feel anything coming out of your hand," Maddon said. "It's almost like you have to manufacture everything at that point. It's a chore, it's a drudgery. You don't understand why, and then eventually you work your way through it. "When a guy says that or feels that, you have to be a little careful with that." Lester is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday to prepare for his next start Thursday against the Angels. Maddon indicated the left-hander might have been trying to do too much in his first spring with the Cubs and first year of a six-year, $155 million contract. "No matter how you plan in the offseason or how much throwing or less throwing you do, it's something I've always gone through," Lester said. "It's usually right around that [live batting practice] time, or it prolongs itself to those first couple starts in the season when you get used to amping it up to 100 pitches every time. "It's something you deal with every year, and you deal with it in different ways. I've dealt with it during the season, and you just keep pitching. Now I have the time and opportunity to sit back and rest and make sure it's right for the season, and that's the main focus right now." Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta said the feeling is something that "creeps up" during the season. "Most of the time, there's a period you go through in spring, and some guys get it when they start throwing [bullpen sessions], and some get it early in camp, some get it late in camp," Arrieta said. "It's really not of any concern. No panic. It's something you can manage and handle. A lot of guys handle it differently -- some guys take a few days and rest, some guys like to throw through it. It's very common." -- Cubs.com Bryant gaining confidence as spring spree continues apace Cubs prospect logs third two-homer game this month in win over M's Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant is making a statement this spring, and that's exactly what he wants to do. The Cubs' top prospect belted his seventh and eighth spring home runs, most in the Major Leagues, including a two-run shot off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez Saturday. It's his third two-homer game this spring. One of the 15,323 fans at Sloan Park sarcastically shouted: "Theo, I don't think he's ready yet," in reference to the debate over Bryant and service time. He was referring to Theo Epstein, Cubs president of baseball operations, who will make the final decision as to when Bryant will be promoted to the big leagues. Epstein was watching the game from a box in the suite level. "I've said all along, I'm playing with a chip on my shoulder and at the same time, having fun," Bryant said. "You can't beat baseball right now -- the sun shining. Hopefully, we get the win today." Which they did. Saturday was Bryant's 10th Cactus League game. Last year, he appeared in 11 games and went 2-for-18, with two homers. He's now 12-for-25 with eight home runs and 14 RBIs. "Last year, I was struggling to get going," said Bryant, who went on to club 43 homers at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa in 2014. "I got my first spring out of the way last year, and knew what I needed to do this year, and I did that in the offseason. I did what the front office told me and what I needed to work on, and I did that. I couldn't be more happy with where I am right now." The Cubs have maintained that players have to earn the spots on the roster. That's Bryant's goal.

"Absolutely -- I'm still here, I'm still standing," he said. "I come out here every day to try to get better at third base. I'm really confident over there and at the box right now. I'm seeing the ball pretty good. I don't know what else I can say." He's obviously not intimidated facing pitchers like Hernandez. With a runner at second and one out in the Chicago first, Bryant launched a 2-2 pitch from the Mariners lefty far back onto the left-field berm. "The guy's a Cy Young award winner, he's their ace, and that definitely gives me a whole lot of confidence heading into the season," Bryant said. "I don't care of it's Spring Training or October, I go up there and play as hard as I can and hopefully show them what I got." Hernandez's take? "Big power. Nice," Hernandez said. "He looked good at the plate. He hit bad pitches. It's Spring Training." With two on and one out in the fourth, Bryant connected again, this time off right-hander Kevin Correia, and again sent fans on the left-field berm running for a souvenir. Bryant had been sidelined with fatigue in his right shoulder, and this was his first game at third since March 12. The shoulder passed all the tests as he made four clean throws to first. Next up will be some work in the outfield. Joe Maddon talked to Bryant this week about what he needs to work on. The Cubs manager also told Bryant he can't wait to shake his hand after they win a World Series. "That's been my goal all along," Bryant said. "To win a championship in Chicago is something that will be absolutely crazy and something we all want to be part of. that's what we're working so hard on." -- Cubs.com Olt can relate to Bryant's shoulder issues Cubs third baseman battled through fatigue last season Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant, sidelined since March 12 because of fatigue in his right shoulder, was back at third base for the Cubs on Saturday. Mike Olt can relate to Bryant's situation. "It's a frustrating thing now because you have to think about [the regular] season," said Olt, who was slowed last year because of pain in his right shoulder. "If you're having pain now, and it's 162 games, you have to prepare for 162 games. You want to be out there and people want to see you out there. It's frustrating in your head to say, 'There's something going on now and it might not be serious' but the team is thinking about 162 games and maybe longer than that." The good news for Olt and the Cubs is that his shoulder has not been an issue this spring. He's continued to follow the rehab prescribed. Bryant has said his problem isn't serious and that if this were the regular season, he'd play through the fatigue. However, Olt's shoulder issues last year were more serious. "I don't know if last year, I would've been able to play," Olt said. "I would've been out there, but it wouldn't have been fun." Extra bases

• Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was scratched from Saturday's starting lineup because of tightness in his right groin. His status is day to day. Castro was batting .231 this spring with no home runs and four RBIs. • Dexter Fowler and the Cubs coaches have made a minor tweak in how he plays defense, which they all say could help him in the outfield. But nobody will say what the change is. "It's something small," Fowler said Saturday. "It's not about mechanics either. It's something small." Does he think it will help? "Hopefully it does," Fowler said. • After an off-day Monday, the Cubs will play two on Tuesday, adding a "B" game at 12 p.m. CT against the Athletics at HoHoKam Park in Mesa. Manager Joe Maddon said to expect major roster cuts by midweek. Maddon also continues to stress the need to play good defense. "Everybody's looking for the ball to go over the wall. Beautiful," he said. "Let's catch the ball." • Need a haircut? On Sunday, Maddon will host the "Respect Bald" event with some of the players to raise money in the battle against pediatric cancer. Maddon and others will have their heads shaved at 1:30 p.m. CT on Field 1 at the Cubs complex. A select number of fans can participate in the event by donating $100 to get their heads shaved alongside the players. Besides the trim, fans will receive a T-shirt. The "Respect Bald" event will continue during Sunday's game at Sloan Park. Fans can participate from 2:30-4 p.m. CT inside the right-field gate near the Cubs store and outside the gates near the Cubs store for anyone who wants to participate, but does not have a game ticket. For $50, fans will receive a head shave, a T-shirt and the satisfaction of knowing they helped support children with cancer. • Matt Szczur, sidelined with a sore left ankle, took batting practice Saturday and was on the list of reserve players for the game. -- Cubs.com Cubs phenom Bryant letting his play speak volumes MLB's No. 2 overall prospect tearing up Cactus League this spring Mike Bauman MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant is making the kind of mark that Spring Training usually isn't quite big enough to accommodate. Saturday afternoon at Sloan Park, the game's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB.com, climbed to another summit, hitting two more home runs, the first a towering two-run homer off Seattle's Felix Hernandez. King Felix's credentials require no further polishing here. Bryant's was a significant hitting accomplishment, Cactus League or not. The home run was on a 2-2 changeup and it made a magnificent arc as it traveled against the backdrop of the blue Arizona sky. "Those are the type of homers that you live for," Bryant said. "It hit the fat part of my bat. It felt really good. I like the ball down and in, and I put a good swing on it. "[Hernandez] is a Cy Young Award winner, and he's their ace. That definitely gives me a lot of confidence heading into the season. I don't care if it's Spring Training or October, I go out there and play as hard as I can."

Bryant also walked against Hernandez in the third. In the fourth, Bryant hit a three-run homer, this one off veteran right-hander Kevin Correia. It wasn't the best day of March for Hernandez. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell homered off him, as well. But Bryant leads the Majors in home runs this spring with eight, in merely 25 at-bats. His numbers are stratospheric. His slash line is .480/.552/1.520. Of course, the sample size is small, but that is what you get with Spring Training. Oh, and Bryant also looked the part of a Major Leaguer in the field. He was returning to third base after a nine-day absence brought on by shoulder fatigue. He didn't come up short in this phase of the game, either. In the first, Bryant got the Cubs out of the inning by starting a 5-4-3 double play. In the second, he ranged to his left to make a play on a ball that he turned into the third out. On a series of throws, he showed, rather than shoulder fatigue, arm strength. "I try to go out there and play hard, I throw as hard as I can," Bryant said. "That's the way I play, and it works for me." The ongoing question about whether Bryant will open the season at Wrigley Field or at Triple-A Iowa has not been answered. One way or another, Bryant is going to be in Chicago soon, and for a considerable length of time after that. If the Cubs choose to temporarily place Bryant in Triple-A in order to delay his potential free agency by one year, there will be shouts of protest. But it is impossible to imagine Bryant, with the performance he is staging, staying in Triple-A any later than the required mid-April. Bryant describes himself as "playing with a chip on my shoulder, but at the same time having fun." If you watch him play, that makes sense. His effort in this camp is all-out. His results are fun, not only for him, but for anybody who cares about the Cubs' future. "You can't beat baseball right now," Bryant said, noting the Arizona sun and the Cubs winning a game, 12-10, against the Mariners. "I'm still here and I'm still standing." That "still standing" is a truly modest description of Kris Bryant's current circumstances. He is tearing up the Cactus League. He may be baseball's biggest individual story this March. "In this game, you really have to stay modest," Bryant said. "You don't want to toot your own horn. You want to have your play speak. That's how I've been my whole life; letting my play speak, playing as hard as I can, nose to the dirt." What more could the Cubs ask from Bryant? Gaining some experience playing the outfield is in the short-term future. Beyond that, Cubs manager Joe Maddon had this to say: "The biggest thing, there would probably be a more-specific routine defensively, from what I've seen. I've seen that with a couple of our guys. Just a more-specific routine that they could draw from on a daily basis. I think that's where consistency comes from on defense, is routine. We've talked about it with him and the other guys. Get into a particular routine, because we really need to raise our level of defense." But Maddon has left little doubt about his view of Bryant's place with the North Side franchise. He said that he told Bryant he looks forward to shaking his hand after the Cubs win the World Series. "That's something we all want to be a part of," Bryant said. "And that's why we're working so hard right now to get to that point." You look at Kris Bryant driving the ball so far and so often. The Cubs have assembled a truly impressive group of talented young players. But even here, even this soon, Bryant is making the kind of impact very few are capable of making. --

ESPNChicago.com Kris Bryant: 'I couldn't be happier' By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs top prospect Kris Bryant kept the heat on the team's front office by hitting his seventh and eighth home runs of the spring Saturday, including a first-inning shot off former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners. "I couldn't be happier with where I am right now," Bryant said after the Cubs' 12-10 victory over the Mariners. "It gives me a whole lot of confidence heading into the season." Bryant has four more home runs than anyone else in the Cactus or Grapefruit leagues despite being slowed by a sore shoulder. He has more home runs this spring than the entire Miami Marlins team and actually hit a ninth home run in a "B" game earlier this week. "It's the complete opposite of last year," he said. "I struggled to get going." The No. 2 overall pick in 2013 is trying to make it tough on the Cubs to start him at Triple-A Iowa next month as he and his agent, Scott Boras, spoke up about the situation recently. If Bryant begins the season in the minors the Cubs can get an extra year of service time before he becomes a free agent after the 2021 season. If he breaks camp with the team and stays in the majors, he'll become a free agent after 2020. "I've said it all along: I'm playing with a chip on my shoulder but at the same time having fun," Bryant stated. "You really can't beat baseball. The sun is shining." Bryant is known for his humble attitude as much as he is for his home runs. He led the minors last season with 43 split between Double-A and Triple-A. The Cubs say he might need more work on his defense, and after missing time due to the sore shoulder, he was back at third base Saturday, assisting on five ground balls. "I come out and work as hard as I can, trying to get better at third base," he said. "I got my game reps in today and I felt really good over there. I'm real confident there, and in the box I'm seeing the ball really well." Bryant was pleased both his home runs came with two strikes and on breaking pitches. "It hit the fat part of my bat," he said of his first one off Hernandez. "It felt really good coming off." After Boras was critical of the Cubs' potential handling of his client, Bryant and Cubs manager Joe Maddon talked just to make sure the player was doing all right with all the attention on him. Bryant doesn't know Maddon well but is starting to feel more comfortable with the first-year Cubs manager. "I'm not scared to talk to him anymore about anything," Bryant said. He was asked if his goal was still to make the team despite common thinking that the Cubs will give him a couple of weeks at Triple-A Iowa to gain that extra year of employment. "I'm still here," he said, smiling. "I'm still standing." -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro scratched with right groin tightness By Jesse Rogers

MESA, Ariz. – Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro was scratched from Saturday’s spring game against the Seattle Mariners with right groin tightness, according to a team spokesman. Castro is considered day to day, and the injury isn’t believed to be serious. He missed a significant number of games in each of the last two spring camps because of hamstring problems but was ready for the regular season each year. Addison Russell will take Castro’s place in the lineup against the Mariners. Pitcher Jon Lester also was scratched from the game with a “dead arm.” That ailment isn’t considered serious, either. Castro is 6 for 26 in Cactus League play this month. -- ESPNChicago.com Jon Lester says fatigue issue is normal By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. – OK, Chicago, take a deep breath. Cubs pitcher Jon Lester says his “dead arm” is nothing to be concerned about and it would not stop him from pitching if this were the regular season. “It’s not something out of the ordinary,” Lester said Saturday morning. “There’s no point in trying to grind things out now. If this was April 15, it wouldn’t be an issue.” Lester was scratched from his scheduled spring start on Saturday, but says he’s not in any pain and that it’s just normal “body fatigue.” “You can ask every pitcher: It’s an every-year thing for everybody,” Lester said. Most pitchers have described “dead arm” as a form of fatigue where the ball just doesn’t feel right leaving the hand and simply doesn’t have the same zip on it. Teammate Jason Hammel said Saturday that when he has it, there’s no “late life” to his pitches. The only thing of note for Lester is that he usually experiences dead arm either earlier in spring training or later in April. “Just getting back to doing this every five days,” he said. “It’s nothing to be alarmed about.” Lester has made no fewer than 31 starts in each of the last eight seasons, so this issue has never hampered him. But with two weeks left in spring training, the Cubs believed there was no reason to push it. “If this was during the season, it wouldn’t be an issue,” Lester stated. He’s scheduled to pitch a bullpen session on Monday and says he should be good to go for his next spring start on Thursday. Manager Joe Maddon said Friday that Lester was still on pace to be the Opening Day starter on April 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lester was asked how he’s stayed so healthy during the entirety of his career. “Luck, I guess,” he said. -- CSNChicago.com Cubs: Kris Bryant is playing with a chip on his shoulder Patrick Mooney

MESA, Ariz. – A Cubs fan watched another Kris Bryant home run disappear and yelled out: “Theo, I don’t think he’s ready yet!” Bryant had just launched a Felix Hernandez changeup onto the left-field berm at Sloan Park, sending a message to Theo Epstein’s front office during Saturday’s 12-10 win over the Seattle Mariners in Mesa. Bryant’s two-run, first-inning shot off King Felix highlighted the all-around game Cubs officials wanted to see, even if the decision to send him to Triple-A Iowa already seems to be made. “I’ve said it all along, I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder,” Bryant said. “But at the same time having fun. You really can’t beat baseball right now with the sun shining.” The sellout crowd (15,323) wanted to see Bryant, who played third base for the first time since March 12 after dealing with a sore right shoulder. He also worked a walk against Hernandez – a Cy Young Award winner – and now has a 2.072 OPS this spring. [SHOP: Gear up, Cubs fans!] By the fourth inning, Epstein was chatting with Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik in a press-box booth. Epstein watched Bryant blast a three-run bomb off Kevin Correia. After Cubs officials told him to come here and compete, Bryant now has eight homers in 25 Cactus League at-bats, plus another one in a B game. This laser show is making him a cause for super-agent Scott Boras and a huge national story. Do you have a legitimate opportunity to make this team? “Yeah, absolutely,” Bryant said. “I’m still here and I’m still standing. I still come out here every day, work as hard as I can, try and get better at third base. I got my game reps in today and I felt really good over there. I’m really confident over there. And at the box right now, I’m seeing the ball pretty good. I don’t know what else I can say.” A reporter suggested winning a job that starts with a two-week vacation outside Chicago. “I don’t know,” Bryant said. “I really don’t want to focus on that. But I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job. I’m having fun.” [MORE: No alarm bells for the Cubs and Jon Lester] One baseball justification for sending Bryant to Iowa – at least publicly – would be to work on his defense and get into a rhythm after missing time because of the sore shoulder. He’s also 6-foot-5 and trying to play a demanding position. “I felt really good,” Bryant said. “I got everything hit to me without a problem. I was just talking to ‘Rizz’ (first baseman Anthony Rizzo). He said all of my throws were right there at the chest and it had some good stuff behind it. My arm feels pretty good right now.” The Cubs have logical reasons for wanting Bryant to spend 12 days with Iowa. That would push his free-agency clock to after the 2021 season and mean an extra year of club control. We get it. It would be a sensible, calculated decision that could pay off big-time in the long run. But don’t quote WAR numbers and pretend this is a slam dunk with no consequences. Just look at a Mariners team that missed the playoffs by one game last year. With that swing, Bryant could impact three, four, five games in early April. Especially in an era where offense is suffocating, and a time when the Cubs should be playing low-scoring games in cold, nasty weather.

It would be a different story if Bryant got off to a slow start here, but Baseball America’s No. 1 overall prospect is trying to force the issue. “It’s the complete opposite of last year,” Bryant said. “I was really struggling to get going, but it was good (for me). I got my first spring out of the way last year and I knew what I needed to do this year. “I did that in the offseason. I took what the front office told me – and what I needed to work on – and I did that. I couldn’t be more happy than where I am right now.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs: Starlin Castro listed as day-to-day with groin injury Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs scratched Starlin Castro from Saturday’s lineup with right groin tightness, listing their All-Star shortstop as day-to-day. Addison Russell took over at shortstop, playing next to third baseman Kris Bryant at Sloan Park. The Cubs featured two of Baseball America’s top-three prospects on the left side of their infield. Together, they combined for three homers and seven RBI in a 12-10 victory over the Seattle Mariners. [NBC SHOP: Buy a Starlin Castro jersey] Russell hit a two-run homer off King Felix Hernandez and is hitting .409 in the Cactus League, impressing Cubs people with his maturity and defensive skills. This will eventually become an interesting decision. Castro played in only three Cactus League games last year while recovering from a hamstring injury. He still put together probably his finest all-around season, hitting .292 with 14 homers and 65 RBI before spraining his left ankle in September. Castro injured his other hamstring during spring training in 2013 but still managed to play 161 games that season. He played all 162 in 2012 and sets that number as a goal. -- CSNChicago.com No alarm bells for the Cubs and Jon Lester Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – “It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” Jon Lester said more than once, dismissing any fears about his “dead arm” and what it means for the Cubs and their $155 million investment. Lester’s body language said the same thing while standing in front of his locker on Saturday morning, answering questions for six minutes. Surrounded by cameras and microphones, he calmly explained why he wouldn’t be facing Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and the Seattle Mariners that afternoon at Sloan Park. “It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Lester said. “I think you can ask every pitcher – it’s an every-year thing for everybody.” But Lester isn’t just anybody. The 31-year-old lefty is a three-time All-Star with two World Series rings from his time with the Boston Red Sox. This is an anchor for the rotation, the clubhouse and the marketing department. So it wouldn’t be perceived as business as usual on Friday when manager Joe Maddon revealed Lester would skip his next start.

[SHOP: Buy a Jon Lester jersey shirt] “Absolutely, I totally understand that,” Maddon said. “Whether it’s an organization or a fan base, I totally get all of that. There’s no question. And that’s why we’re just trying to make our best guess right now to keep it at a minimum, keep him ready for Opening Day. “But of course, we can’t deny that there’s going to be a lot of consternation, concern, whatever you want to call it. We’re just trying to nip it in the bud right now.” Lester said he would pitch through something like this during the regular season. “There’s no pain,” Lester said. “We all know how to kind of go about this. I don’t think there’s any worry on any end, from the training staff to the coaching staff to my side of it. I really wouldn’t be too concerned about it.” Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer bet big on Lester because they knew his character, work ethic and medical history after their time together in Boston, guaranteeing six years with a vesting option for a seventh that would raise the megadeal’s total value to $170 million. Lester has thrown 1,596 innings in the majors – plus 84 more in the playoffs – while making 30-plus starts in each of the last seven seasons. [ALSO: Cubs scratch Castro from lineup with groin injury] “It’s kind of one of those things I think you have to go through in order to understand what it actually feels like,” Lester said. “It doesn’t really feel like anything. Just kind of more total-body deadness. And then, obviously, everybody puts a label on it as far as ‘dead arm.’ “There’s no point in trying to grind through it right now. These games don’t mean anything. Like I said, if it was April 15, then it wouldn’t be an issue.” The expectation is Lester will throw a bullpen session on Monday and make his next start (barring any surprises). “You just don’t feel anything coming out of your hand,” Maddon explained. “It’s almost like you have to manufacture everything at that point. It’s a chore. It’s a drudgery. It’s not normal. You don’t understand why and then eventually you work your way through it. “You get to that point (where) nothing’s really awful, but your arm just doesn’t react like it normally does, and then it comes back soon afterwards. It happens to a lot of guys. “It’s not like a tendinitis or anything else like that. It doesn’t hurt. It just doesn’t want to react. The danger is that when you get to that point, you try to manufacture something that you’re not feeling. And that’s when you can hurt yourself. So when a guy says that or feels that, you got to be a little bit careful.” Lester said he usually experiences this earlier in spring training while throwing live batting practice, though it has also popped up during the regular season. The Cubs are two weeks away from the St. Louis Cardinals on April 5 at Wrigley Field. “I know it’s not a big thing,” Lester said. “It’s the normal process of pitching for me, and I’m sure a lot of the other guys can attest to it as well.” -- Tribune Kris Bryant relaxed after meeting with Joe Maddon Mark Gonzales

MESA, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant looks as relaxed as any rookie trying to make the Chicago Cubs' opening day roster with a anvil weight of expectations. Much of Bryant's relaxation stems from a meeting he had earlier this week with manager Joe Maddon in which he was told to relax in the wake of expectations and pointed comments by agent Scott Boras toward Cubs ownership. “I think he’s established a good reputation of getting those good relationships with those players and it’s good," Bryant said after hitting two home runs and fielding five grounders flawlessly in his first game at third base since March 12. "I haven’t known him for a while, but it’s good to get that first one out of the way. I’m not scared to talk to him anymore about anything. It definitely did go good. Bryant also received some assurances about his right shoulder from first baseman Anthony Rizzo on four throws to first base. Bryant hadn't played third base since March 12 because of right shoulder fatigue. Bryant paused briefly after making each throw but was accurate each time. "Rizzo said all my throws were right on the chest and had some good stuff on it," Bryant said. "My arm feels good right now. "I try to go out there and play hard. I feel like when I’m not going full speed, that’s when I make my mistakes. I do try to throw it as hard as I can every time, but that’s just how I play and it works for me today.” Bryant also credited fielding work with coach Gary Jones while his shoulder was healing. Bryant didn't seem to lose any timing with his fielding grounders at an array of speeds. "It helped a lot," Bryant said. "Half the battle is fielding the ball first. So just getting the ball in my glove in the right position helps me with my throws over to first. I felt I got some very good work for that week that I wasn’t playing. I was very happy I had some balls in the game today.’’ -- Tribune Saturday's recap: Cubs 12, Mariners 10 Mark Gonzales The summary. Kris Bryant appeared for the first time since Monday and hit two home runs Saturday to lead a 16-hit attack in a 12-10 victory over the Mariners at Sloan Park. Bryant had a two-run homer in the first inning off former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, and then ripped a curveball for a three-run homer off journeyman Kevin Correia. Bryant also drew a walk in the third. At the plate Second baseman Javier Baez batted in the leadoff spot in an effort to get him out of a 3-for-30 rut and hit Hernandez's second pitch for a single to left field. But Baez also struck out twice. Addison Russell, replacing injured shortstop Starlin Castro, hit a two-run homer in the third. On the mound Left-hander Eric Jokisch, starting in place of left-handed ace Jon Lester, allowed a game-tying home run to Nelson Cruz in the third. In the field

Bryant showed no lingering effects of right shoulder fatigue by making strong throws after handling five grounders flawlessly. However, center fielder Dexter Fowler lost a ball in the sun and right fielder Jorge Soler botched a line drive that accounted for three unearned runs in the third. Key number 28. Cubs home runs hit this spring. The quote "I didn't know what (Hernandez) had, but as you establish patterns, you try to get into the swing of things and you know how they're going to pitch you." — Bryant Up next Vs. San Diego, 3:05 p.m. Sunday at Sloan Park. RH Jason Hammel vs. RH James Shields. — Mark Gonzales -- Tribune Jon Lester not worried about 'dead' arm Mark Gonzales MESA, Ariz. -- Jon Lester arrived at the Chicago Cubs' clubhouse Saturday morning with his backpack and nothing that would indicate he is suffering from a "dead" left arm.. "I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about," Lester said after being scratched from his start against the Seattle Mariners and Felix Hernandez. "There’s no pain, no worry, not anything on anybody’s part. We all know how to go about this, and I don’t think there’s any worry on any end from the training staff to the coaching staff to my side of it. I really wouldn’t be too concerned about it." Lester, 31, plans to throw a bullpen session Monday and make his next spring start Thursday in preparation for the Cubs' regular season opener on April 5 against defending National League Central champion St. Louis. Lester allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings on Monday but didn't say he felt any discomfort during that outing. “It’s nothing that really surfaced," Lester said. "It’s something we all go through. Usually mine is earlier or later (in spring training)." Lester said every pitcher copes with this ailment at some point during spring training and that it's part of the process of preparing for the regular season. "It’s nothing to be alarmed about," Lester said. "We just had the option and the time to go ahead and take that right now.’’ Lester had no explanation as to why he has stayed relatively healthy. His only stint on the 15-day disabled list since 2007 occurred in 2011 because of a left latissimus strain, but he still managed to make 31 starts with the Red Sox. "Luck? I don’t know," Lester said of his fortune. "We all have things we deal with through the season that come up, and I’ve been fortunate enough to minimize those things where I’m still able to pitch. "If I had an answer, I’d give it to guys that struggle with being healthy. But I don’t, and I just try to pitch as many starts as I can. That’s all I worry about."

Meanwhile, manager Joe Maddon understands the concern over his $155 million pitcher by his fan base. “Absolutely, I totally understand that, whether it’s an organization or a fan base," Maddon said. "I get all of that. No question. We’re just trying to make our best guess to keep it at a minimum and keep him ready for opening day. "Of course, we can’t deny that. There will be a lot of consternation and concern, whatever you want to call it, we’re just trying to nip it in the bud and be OK." --