March 28, 2017

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Jon Lester ready for 2017 after strong spring finish http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-jon-lester-20170327-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Joe Maddon treasures his minor league roots http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-joe-maddon-minor-league-20170328-story.html

Chicago Tribune, 'I feel very good:' Kyle Schwarber says his knee is 100 percent http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-schwarber-knee-healthy-spt-0328-20170327-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Jon Lester keeps eye on target, former teammate David Ross http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-jon-lester-david-ross-20170327-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Ian Happ makes favorable impression on Cubs before being sent to minors http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-ian-happ-cubs-5-cuts-20170327-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Will Albert Almora Jr. start Sunday's opener? Joe Maddon won't say http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-albert-almora-bits-cubs-spt-0328-20170327-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Give Cubs your tired, huddled masses; they’ll give them to Boz http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/give-cubs-your-tired-huddled-masses-theyll-give-them-to-boz/

Chicago Sun-Times, Willson Contreras homers twice, Jon Lester pitches 6 in Cub loss http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/willson-contreras-homers-twice-jon-lester-pitches-6-in-cub-loss/

Chicago Sun-Times, Maddon: No timeline for Addison Russell’s return from sore back http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/maddon-no-timeline-for-addison-russells-return-from-sore-back/

Chicago Sun-Times, Happ-less: Impressive Ian Happ among five cut from Cubs camp http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/happ-less-impressive-ian-happ-among-five-cut-from-cubs-camp/

Cubs.com, Lester pleased with final outing -- and his RBI http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/221204338/jon-lester-pleased-with-final-outing-adds-rbi/

Cubs.com, Contreras HRs twice in Lester's last tuneup http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/221190402/danny-salazar-strikes-out-9-in-win-over-cubs/

Cubs.com, Happ sent to Minors camp as Cubs trim roster http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/221178668/ian-happ-to-minors-camp-as-cubs-trim-roster/

Cubs.com, Loaded Cubs could be quiet at Trade Deadline http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/221036820/cubs-may-not-be-active-at-2017-trade-deadline/

Cubs.com, Zobrist (neck) nears return to lineup http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/221164424/cubs-ben-zobrist-eyes-return-to-lineup/

ESPNChicago.com, How do you replace Dexter Fowler? Albert Almora Jr. and Jon Jay team up for the task http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/43494/how-do-you-replace-dexter-fowler-albert-almora-jon-jay-team-up-for-job

CSNChicago.com, How Cubs Came To Fully Believe In The Legend Of Kyle Schwarber http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/how-cubs-came-fully-believe-legend-kyle-schwarber

CSNChicago.com, Cubs Will Have Ian Happ One Phone Call Away At Triple-A Iowa http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-will-have-ian-happ-one-phone-call-away-triple-iowa

-- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Jon Lester ready for 2017 after strong spring finish By Mark Gonzales Jon Lester was pleased to hit an RBI single Monday night in his first spring game he was allowed to bat. But more important, Lester declared himself ready for the 2017 season after retiring 14 of the final 15 Cleveland Indians batters he faced his final tune-up before the Chicago Cubs' opener Sunday night at St. Louis. Lester said he felt strong primarily because of the deliberate manner that manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Chris Bosio brought along the pitching staff after a taxing but successful 2016 season. "The progression was good this spring," Lester said. "It was handled very, very well on all accounts. As far as us pitchers being honest with ourselves and with Bos and Joe and them being honest with us as far as going slow and taking it easy, I feel we’re all in good position right now to go forward." Lester said some of his sharpness could be attributed to a night game before a Goodyear Ballpark record crowd of 11,624. "That obviously helps tighten up your mechanics and all that," Lester said. "I was just happy with that. The results were a lot better as the game went on. My stuff got a lot better." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Joe Maddon treasures his minor league roots By Mark Gonzales Many of the Chicago Cubs' minor league coaches and instructors were treated to dinner Thursday night at Don and Charlie's in Scottsdale with manager Joe Maddon. The appreciation wasn't lost on the player development staff, as roving hitting coordinator Andy Haines tweeted a photograph of him withMaddon accompanied with the words, "Dinner with the best manager in baseball." For Maddon, providing a comfort level for his minor league staff is important dating back to his days as manager, coach and scout in the Angels organization from 1981 to 1994. "I know you don’t always feel comfortable around the major league manager," Maddon said. "It just happens that way. I’m more like them than anything." Maddon said he brought his minor league methods when he reached the Angels' major league staff as a coach because "I was not impressed with the organization at major league camps."

Maddon recalled a moment when he joined the major league staff in September after the minor league season ended and was stunned by what he saw before throwing batting practice. "The next day’s early hitting was written on a napkin with a thumbtack on the wall," Maddon said. "I was really appalled by it. It’s really worthy of more than a napkin with pen writing and a thumbtack and a cork board. It stood out to me at the time." As soon as Maddon joined the Angels' major league staff, he was teased for presenting his worksheets off a computer that would produce as many as four sheets. "I wanted detail," said Maddon, who believed much of the proper structure starts in the minors. Maddon appreciated the organization of former farm director Larry Himes and pitching coach Marcel Lachemann, who prepared the schedules on paper for then-manager Gene Mauch in spring training. "Gene would change something, and Marcel would go back with his eraser," Maddon said. "And whenever you do that, you got to find all the different spots it impacts." Maddon said Lachemann would get upset and later stressed that the computer made it easier to re-route information. "A lot of the good stuff that occurs here, starts there (in the minors)," Maddon said. "I know it did for me. So when I'm with these guys, I feel comfortable." -- Chicago Tribune 'I feel very good:' Kyle Schwarber says his knee is 100 percent By Mark Gonzales Kyle Schwarber has no interest in being treated as a special case. "I told you I expect to be good out there," Schwarber said Monday. "I'm going to hold myself to a high standard. And I feel good out there." After missing nearly the entire 2016 season and being limited to a part-time but spectacular role in the World Series, Schwarber has shown no signs this spring that he tore two knee ligaments in his left knee last April. His injury raised some doubts outside the Cubs organization as to whether it was medically sound to let him play catcher again. Schwarber checked the final box of his rehabilitation Friday when he caught four innings in a minor-league game. The expectation is that he'll play as much as any Cubs position player, mainly in left field, and can serve as the emergency third catcher. "I would say so, that it's 100 percent," Schwarber said. "I feel very good. All the continuous work that happened in the offseason led to where I am now, to be able to play multiple consecutive games." Schwarber acknowledged he'll need occasional days off to give his knee a break. "There's always going to be" maintenance days, he said. "You'll have to do some stretching and some stuff, just to make sure you don't (overcompensate with the other leg)." Schwarber has played fearlessly with the aid of a knee brace, as he has legged out two triples and slid into bases without hesitation. Manager Joe Maddon has marveled over Schwarber's defense in left field, particularly on a catch in the left-center alley against the Athletics on March 12 and maintains that Schwarber's defense has been unfairly maligned because of some misplayed balls in the 2015 playoffs.

"I'm really happy where I'm at," said Schwarber, who also has played right field on occasion. He said he's not sure when we would catch his next spring game. Schwarber, who hit 16 home runs in 69 games in 2015 and five more in the 2015 playoffs, seems invigorated by the prospect of batting leadoff in a stacked lineup. "It's a cool spot," Schwarber said. "I get to lead off the game, and then you don't know what spot you'll be hitting in. Being behind those big guys to try to get on base for them, to score some runs, and for the bottom guys who are on-base machines, it's a tough lineup. "If I come up with runners in scoring position, I just want to put up a good at-bat." Schwarber said he won't change his approach at the plate. He has smacked three home runs this spring and has six walks and a .360 on-base percentage. "I'm starting to feel comfortable at the plate, starting to see pitches," Schwarber said. "Even the balls I do miss, I'm just missing. I feel good. Hopefully that works itself out during the season and with catching too. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Jon Lester keeps eye on target, former teammate David Ross By Mark Gonzales Chicago Cubs ace Jon Lester didn't walk a batter Monday night in his final start of spring training. But Lester's observations and sense of humor was just as keen when asked about the production of catcher Willson Contreras, who smacked two home run off Danny Salazar in a 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians. "It’s about time we got an offensive catcher," quipped Lester, who was taking a friendly shot at former batterymate David Ross. "He’ll like that one when he sees that one." Despite pitching 5 2/3 innings and chipping in with an RBI single in the sixth inning, Lester managed to watch a clip of Ross' latest performance on "Dancing With the Stars." "I saw it tonight," Lester said. "It’s pretty impressive." -- Chicago Tribune Ian Happ makes favorable impression on Cubs before being sent to minors By Mark Gonzales The Chicago Cubs trimmed their spring training roster to 31 Monday by making five cuts, including 2015 first round pick Ian Happ. Happ, who batted .392 with five home runs and 17 RBIs, was assigned to the minor league camp with outfielder John Andreoli and catcher Taylor Davis. Happ's strong spring put him in position to receive a promotion to the majors in the event of an emergency. Happ's production and poise impressed ace Jon Lester.

"As you get older, it’s fun to see these young guys come up and not be surprised by the moment. I just remember my first league camp and you're facing your first big leaguer, and you’re thinking, ‘woah. I’m facing this guy?' You see these guys, and they don’t care. 'Who are you? I’m just trying to get hits.' "And it’s fun to see that because their transition is easy when they get to the big leagues. It’s still not that awe moment where I’m facing this guy." Lester recalled his first springs with the Boston Red Sox and facing the likes of Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Alex Rodriguez and Jorge Posada. "And the list goes on. 'Oh my God, I used to watch this guy,' " Lester said. " 'This guy is awesome,' instead of worrying about trying to get these guys out. It’s really impressive to see how these guys handle it, and he definitely made an impression on a lot of us. "It’s always nice when you get to see these guys close up and see what they can do. I’m sure we’re going to need him at some point and you always end up needing guys throughout the year so hopefully he can contribute somewhere down the road." Pitchers Eddie Butler and Rob Zastryzny were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs will make an official decision soon on Rule 5 pick Caleb Smith, who isn't likely to make the roster. The Cubs, however, could try to work out a deal with the New York Yankees or simply offer him back to the Yankees for $50,000. Outfielder Matt Szczur, who is out of minor league options, remains in camp. But several teams are interested in Szczur, whose potential departure could pave the way for left-handed hitting infielder Tommy La Stella to receive the final spot. Non-roster invitees Carlos Corporan, infielders Chris Dominguez and Jemile Weeks appear destined for a reassignment to the minor league camp. The Cubs roster could look like this: Pitchers: Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, Brett Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Mike Montgomery, Wade Davis, Koji Uehara, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr., Justin Grimm, Brian Duensing. Catchers: Willson Contreras, Miguel Montero. Infielders: Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Tommy La Stella. Outfielders: Jason Heyward, Jon Jay, Albert Almora Jr., Kyle Schwarber. -- Chicago Tribune Will Albert Almora Jr. start Sunday's opener? Joe Maddon won't say By Mark Gonzales MESA, Ariz. — Manager Joe Maddon likes the way Albert Almora Jr. is swinging the bat and believes he has the potential to hit for more power against right-handed pitchers. But Maddon stopped short of declaring that Almora would start in Sunday night's season opener against Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez. "I haven't made the lineup yet," Maddon said Monday after a long pause and one day after Almora hit two home runs and a double against the Reds in Las Vegas.

The other option would be left-handed hitter and former Cardinal Jon Jay. Neither Almora nor Jay has faced Martinez. "Think it all the way through," Maddon smiled. All right in right: Kyle Schwarber started Monday night's game against the Indians in right field, but Maddon declined to say what could happen if incumbent Jason Heyward embarked on another slow start. "I'm not going to create that kind of conjecture right now," Maddon said. "I don't even think in those terms. I'm looking for (Heyward) to have a really good season. Anything can happen. Your guys could get hurt. Who knows? (Heyward) could be on the verge of making the All-Star team by then." Maddon was encouraged that Heyward hit a home run Saturday and drew three walks Sunday. "He's at the point where he really likes what he's doing," Maddon said. Injury update: Shortstop Addison Russell, who hasn't played since Wednesday because of back stiffness, played catch Monday. "We're just being overly cautious with all of that," Maddon said. But no date for Russell's return has been set. "We'll just keep him nice and slow," Maddon said. Second baseman Ben Zobrist (neck stiffness) is expected to start Tuesday against the Giants. Roster moves: The Cubs were still pondering their options on Rule 5 left-hander Caleb Smith, who isn't likely to make the opening-day roster but could stay with the Cubs if they can work out a trade with the Yankees. -- Chicago Sun-Times Give Cubs your tired, huddled masses; they’ll give them to Boz By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Cubs pitcher Brett Anderson has lost so much time to the disabled list in his career that almost two-thirds of his contract this season is tied to how many games he starts. He has had two back surgeries in the last three years — and says one more back injury could end his career. So far, he has been healthy in his first spring with the Cubs, and one of the reasons he believes he can stay that way is a change that pitching coach Chris Bosio suggested early in camp. “It’s just to try to limit the pressure on my back,” Anderson said, “a minor mechanical adjustment where I don’t land on my heel as much and kind of land on the ball of my foot or my toes so it’s not such a whiplash effect.” If Anderson stays healthy for a full season for just the second time in eight years, he may count as another pitcher in the win column for Bosio, the Cubs’ resurrection specialist whose career rehab successes include Jake Arrieta, Scott Feldman, Jason Hammel and Pedro Strop. Since coming to the Cubs as Dale Sveum’s pitching coach in Theo Epstein’s first year running the organization, Bosio also has helped transform Jeff Samardzija from a reliever into a $90 million starting pitcher, helped Ryan Dempster perform well enough in 2012 for the Cubs to get Kyle Hendricks in a trade for him, and helped Kyle Hendricks become the pitcher who led the majors in ERA last year. Bosio is part of a larger Cubs pitching infrastructure that also includes unsung catching/strategy coach Mike Borzello, who breaks down video and puts tailored pitching plans together better than, perhaps, anyone in the game.

But Bosio’s own success as a pitcher, his eye for mechanics, his communication style and his philosophy of letting pitchers be themselves — sometimes at the expense of what might be considered more ideal mechanics — have led to a string of successes. The Cubs had the top-ranked pitching staff in baseball last year despite not having one homegrown pitcher on the playoff roster. “Boz is awesome at what he does,” said team president Epstein, who made a priority of keeping the Bosio-Borzello-Lester Strode team intact even after firing Sveum. “They all have their roles, and they’re all awesome.” That group’s success has been critical for the Cubs, who have drafted and developed hitters over pitchers as a philosophy and consequently produced none of their own starting pitchers since Epstein took over. “That’s my job — that’s my responsibility,” Bosio said. “I don’t look at it as, ‘Oh, my God, I’ve got another guy to fix.’ ” But those repair jobs won’t stop coming. Arrieta and John Lackey are eligible for free agency at the end of the year, and the farm system doesn’t look ready to produce the next Arrieta anytime soon. The Cubs go into this season again without a homegrown pitcher on the roster. The National League Central rival St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers all have at least three homegrown pitchers, including Opening Day starters for the Cardinals and Pirates. “We haven’t had that luxury,” Bosio said. “But this organization’s done a great job of getting those position players and recognizing them, and they move through the system fast. They’ve also done a great job of being able to recognize [pitchers] who we can change and make better. I take a lot of pride in that. And it’s a challenge for me.” Much of the success of Bosio’s part of the pitching program involves simplicity and communication. Case in point: Anderson’s change. Bosio also had Strop move to the other side of the rubber. He took Arrieta out of the cookie-cutter mold his staffs in Baltimore tried to impose and worked from Arrieta’s natural, cross-body mechanics. In the cases of Hendricks and Hammel, Bosio talked in golf analogies to help the communication. “I haven’t changed that much as a pitching coach over the years,” Bosio said. “I’ve learned from my guys.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Willson Contreras homers twice, Jon Lester pitches 6 in Cub loss By Gordon Wittenmyer GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Jon Lester pitched a six-inning tuneup Monday night for Sunday’s Opening Night start, making quick work of the Indians except for a rough second inning during the Cubs’ 4-3 loss to Cleveland at Goodyear Ballpark. Three consecutive hits to start the inning, including a leadoff double, led to the three-run second Jon Lester, who otherwise pitched well. He retired the side in order in the first and retired eight straight after the damage in the second, before allowing a fifth-inning homer to Abraham Almonte. Then he retired the final four he faced. Lester also singled home a run from second with two out in the sixth. The Cubs finished the spring 0-2-1 in three meetings this spring against the team they beat in seven games to win the World Series last fall. Double pop

Catcher Willson Contreras hit his fourth homer of the spring to the top of the grass beyond the left-field wall in the fourth inning Monday, then followed with his fifth homer the opposite way in the sixth inning. He finished 2-for-4, making him 6-for-13 with three extra-base hits in his last three games. Almora to see time vs. RHPs Manager Joe Maddon said center fielder Albert Almora won’t be in a strict platoon with lefty-hitting Jon Jay and will face right-handers, too, this year. He also didn’t rule out an Opening Night start for the defensive whiz Almora in spacious Busch Stadium. After hitting two homers and a double Sunday, Almora singled and doubled Monday. On deck Giants at Cubs, Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m., CSN, cubs.com audio, Matt Cain vs. Jake Arrieta. -- Chicago Sun-Times Maddon: No timeline for Addison Russell’s return from sore back By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Shortstop Addison Russell, who has been out of the lineup with a sore back since Thursday, played catch Monday morning but still walked gingerly and said his return was “probably two days out.” Manager Joe Maddon called the approach with Russell “overly cautious.” The Cubs have four exhibition games left before opening the season Sunday night. “We haven’t really put a date for Addie to play,” Maddon said. “I don’t want to push him at all with Opening Day coming over the weekend. We’re just going to keep him nice and slow.” If the issue persists into the latter part of the week, the Cubs could utilize the shorter, 10-day disabled list that goes into effect this season and even backdate a move to give Russell a few extra days. Almora to see time vs. RHPs Maddon said center fielder Albert Almora won’t be in a strict platoon with lefty-hitting Jon Jay and will face right-handers, too, this year. Maddon also didn’t rule out an Opening Night start for the defensive whiz Almora in spacious Busch Stadium. After hitting two homers and a double Sunday, Almora singled and doubled in his first three at-bats Monday night against Cleveland. “Those were good swings,” Maddon said of the homers. “Nobody talks about this kid’s power. This guy’s got power.” Zobrist Tuesday? Second baseman Ben Zobrist has been sidelined a week because of a stiff neck he said was “unmanageable” until recent days. Maddon said Zobrist might return Tuesday.

-- Chicago Sun-Times Happ-less: Impressive Ian Happ among five cut from Cubs camp By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Ian Happ’s magic carpet ride this spring came to its inevitable end Monday as part of a round of cuts that took the Cubs’ spring training roster down to 31 with six days left before the season opener. Happ hit .417 this spring, which would have put him second in the Cactus League if he didn’t fall just short of qualifying plate appearances. He had an .833 slugging percentage and a .473 on-base percentage. General manager Jed Hoyer said he’ll open the season at Class  AAA Iowa. “Listen, he’s a major-league player, absolutely,” manager Joe Maddon said, adding that Happ could earn a 2017 debut. “He is in the conversation. Now it’s up to him to go out there and perform at a level that indicates that he’s ready right now. Spring training and the regular season, even in the minor leagues, is entirely different.” Despite the shortage of qualifying PAs, the switch-hitting Happ led the Cactus League in RBI and was tied for fourth in both home runs (five) and hits (20). He also tied for third in total bases (39). “I thought he improved over the course of time here defensively, which is great,” Hoyer said of Happ, who can play second and the corner outfield spots and will work on more versatility in the minors. “Offensively, what was not to like?” Hoyer said. “He hit the ball hard every at-bat for six weeks. It’s always fun to see a young guy like that come in and open a lot of eyes. “Whenever you’re in AAA, you’re always a call away. Sometimes it happens quicker than you think. We never expected [Addison Russell] would be up in April of [2015], and I feel like Willson [Contreras] last year, if you asked me in spring training if he’d be up in June, I probably would have thought it would be more like a September call-up. You never know.” Officially, Happ and fellow non-roster players John Andreoli and Taylor Davis were reassigned to minor-league camp. Two others were optioned to Iowa: pitchers Eddie Butler and Rob Zastryzny. NOTES: Rule 5 pitcher Caleb Smith, who has no avenue for making the roster, is in limbo as the Cubs explore options for possibly keeping him (via trade with his original team, the New York Yankees) while waiting to make sure no injury openings occur in the next day or two. A Rule 5 player must be kept on the major-league roster or be offered back to his original team for half the draft price. • Look for the Cubs to take their final roster decision — outfielder Matt Szczur or infielder Tommy La Stella — down to the final hours before rosters must be set before Sunday’s opener. They’re listening on potential trade offers for Szczur, but there appeared to be little movement on that Monday. -- Cubs.com Lester pleased with final outing -- and his RBI By Carrie Muskat GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jon Lester tuned up for Opening Night against the team the Cubs beat in the last game of the 2016 season. Lester faced the Cubs' World Series opponent, the Indians, on Monday night in his final Spring Training start, and gave up four runs on five hits and struck out five over six innings. Cleveland won, 4-3. But Lester did his part, hitting an RBI single in the sixth in his third spring at-bat.

"I hadn't been up there all spring, so it was good to get your feet wet and get in there," Lester said of his hitting. "It's always nice when you get a hit. That adds to the positive." The lefty was pleased with his outing on the mound, too, and how well Spring Training went. After a long '16 because of the World Series, the Cubs' plan this spring was to ease Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Kyle Hendricks into Cactus League games. It worked. "The progression was good this spring," said Lester, who made two Minor League starts. "It was handled very, very well on all accounts as far as us pitchers being honest with ourselves and honest with [pitching coach Chris Bosio] and them being honest with us. I feel we're all in good positions right now to go forward." Of course, Lester is used to extended seasons, having won two World Series with the Red Sox in '07 and '13. "I think we're all in a good position physically going into the season," he said of the Cubs. The bar was set high in Boston, and Lester knows the young Cubs won't be settled with one World Series trophy. "Once you win, you don't want to go back the other way," Lester said. -- Cubs.com Contreras HRs twice in Lester's last tuneup By Jordan Bastian GOODYEAR -- With the Indians hosting the Cubs on Monday night in front of a packed house at Goodyear Ballpark, the bases had "World Series Rematch" decals on the sides. It was a fun touch in this Cactus League setting, but the teams know that rematch remains a dream that will have to wait at least seven months. In a 4-3 win for Cleveland, Indians starter Danny Salazar was electric with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings and Cubs catcher Willson Contreras put on a show with a pair of impressive home runs. The game was played in front of a ballpark-record crowd of 11,624, which eclipsed the gathering for the Cubs-Indians spring matchup on March 19 last year. "He was good," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Salazar. "And I think the night game was good for everybody. It looked like they had a little more juice. We've been here a long time. It's been hot. So, it's nice to play a game under the lights and there was some people here. I think it was good for us." Salazar, who will make his season debut on April 5 against the Rangers, allowed both of Contreras' home runs. The Chicago catcher pulled a pitch to deep left for a leadoff shot in the fourth and later added a line-drive, opposite-field blast with one out in the sixth. Those were the only two runs allowed by Salazar, who walked two and scattered five hits. Contreras now has five home runs in Cactus League play this spring. "Willie's very special," Cubs starter Jon Lester said. "He's definitely going to add a presence to that lineup as far as the middle of the order, protecting [Anthony Rizzo] and [Kris Bryant] so they're not going to be able to just pitch around those guys." Lester worked six innings, allowing four runs on five hits and ending with five strikeouts against no walks. Lester allowed three runs in the second, when Edwin Encarnacion (double), Brandon Guyer (single) and Austin Jackson (RBI single) each reached to open the inning. Abraham Almonte added a solo homer off Lester in the fifth. Lester, who has a .064 (10-for-57) career batting average, also delivered with his bat. Following a double by Albert Almora Jr. in the sixth, Lester came through with an RBI single off Indians righty Shawn Armstrong. That marked the first run allowed through nine spring appearances for the Tribe bullpen candidate.

"I was happy everything was coming out a little more crisp today," Lester said of his outing. "It was probably the atmosphere and playing in front of the fans and the lights -- that helps. The results were obviously a lot better as the game went on, my stuff got a lot better. The score, hits, all that stuff, whatever, but I was really, really excited with how the ball was coming out and how I felt and how I was able to repeat consistently through the whole game." Almora Jr. also made a highlight-reel catch in the seventh, robbing Jackson of an extra-base hit. Jackson sent a deep drive to left-center, where the Cubs center fielder made a leaping grab at the wall, eliciting a loud roar of approval from the crowd. In his first Cactus League appearance since returning from Team USA, Indians relief ace Andrew Miller was charged with facing Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez. Miller breezed through the assignment with two groundouts and one strikeout. Cubs Up Next: On Tuesday, Jake Arrieta will make his final tuneup before the regular season begins, facing the Giants at Sloan Park. First pitch was scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT. Arrieta has been working on cutting down on walks this spring. So far, he's issued four over 10 innings while striking out 10. Indians Up Next: In his final tuneup start for Opening Day, Tribe ace Corey Kluber is scheduled to start and work six innings in a 4:05 p.m. ET Cactus League tilt against the Brewers on Tuesday in Phoenix. Relievers Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Armstrong are also slated to pitch, and left fielder Michael Brantley will be in the lineup. -- Cubs.com Happ sent to Minors camp as Cubs trim roster By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Ian Happ, the Cubs' first-round pick in the 2015 Draft, made the most of his first big league camp. Happ, who was assigned to the Minor League camp on Monday along with John Andreoli and Taylor Davis, batted .417 in 24 Cactus League games, and he made sure to learn as much as he could from people like Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. "For a guy who's a Hall of Famer and a Cubs legend, it was awesome to have him in the dugout just to chat with him and pick his brain," said Happ, ranked as the club's No. 2 prospect, per MLBPipeline.com. Eddie Butler and Rob Zastryzny were also trimmed from camp as the two pitchers were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. With the moves, the Cubs' camp roster now is 31. Happ took advantage of having Sandberg in camp as a guest instructor to ask him about playing second base. "Early on, I was getting back into the routine of things, and we talked about playing second base," Happ said. "He was obviously the most successful second baseman in Cubs history." The two discussed Sandberg's pregame routine, and the importance of sticking with it. And Sandberg watched Happ, and after he noticed an adjustment by the young infielder, he mentioned it to him. "Baseball is routine, routine, routine, and if you can do it 162 times a year, just pound that repetition and muscle memory. For me, going into the start of the year, to lock down something I can do every day will help," Happ said. And when a Hall of Famer speaks? "You listen and take it to heart and understand what makes these guys so good is they do the same thing every day and they trust in that and believe in that," Happ said. The Cubs' spring roster now includes 14 pitchers, four catchers (one non-roster invitee), nine infielders (three non-roster invitees) and four outfielders.

-- Cubs.com Loaded Cubs could be quiet at Trade Deadline By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Last July 25, the Cubs had a seven-game lead in the National League Central, but management felt they were missing one piece for the postseason. Cue the music for Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, acquired from the Yankees in a five-player deal, was key to the Cubs' postseason run, and helped them win the World Series. But the left-hander became a free agent after Game 7 and did not return to Chicago, instead signing a five-year contract to rejoin the Yankees. The Cubs' new closer is Wade Davis, who was acquired in December from the Royals for Jorge Soler. Davis has experience. He helped the Royals win a World Series in 2015. In fact, the Cubs now have the three pitchers who recorded the final out in three of the last four World Series in Mike Montgomery (2016), Davis ('15) and Koji Uehara, who finished the '13 championship for the Red Sox. This offseason, the Cubs spent most of the time thinking about how they needed to be prepared. What if one of the five starting pitchers is sidelined? They signed Brett Anderson, who will start the season in the rotation, and added pitchers Eddie Butler, Alec Mills and Casey Kelly as insurance. What if Albert Almora Jr. struggles at the plate? The Cubs acquired veteran Jon Jay to share center field and nurture Almora. The Cubs have been active at the Trade Deadline under president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, but that was part of the rebuilding plan. Now, they feel the Cubs boast a solid core of young position players and they hope to have enough inventory in the Minor Leagues to fill holes if needed. Ian Happ, the club's No. 1 Draft pick in 2015 and current No. 2 prospect, has gotten a long look this spring. Who knows? If the Cubs want help at second base, he could be called up. Jeimer Candelario could sub at third or first base if needed. Last year, the Cubs were willing to part with top prospect Gleyber Torres for Chapman. There is more in the Minor League system if they decide to make a deal this July to fill a hole. Of course, in the Cubs' perfect world, they open a huge lead in the NL Central again; the pitchers lead the NL in ERA; Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell help power the offense; and they cruise into the postseason. We'll see what happens this summer. -- Cubs.com Zobrist (neck) nears return to lineup By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Ben Zobrist told manager Joe Maddon that he hopes to play Tuesday in the Cubs' penultimate game in Arizona. However, there's no update on when shortstop Addison Russell will return to action. Zobrist has not played in one week because of a stiff neck, while Russell has been sidelined with a stiff back. Russell did play catch on Monday, Maddon said. "We're just being overly cautious with all that," Maddon said. "Zobrist was talking about [Tuesday]. We'll see. I've talked to Addy a little bit. We haven't set a date for Addy to play. I don't want to push him at all with Opening Day coming over the weekend. We'll keep him nice and slow."

The Cubs open the regular season on Sunday night at 7:35 p.m. CT against the Cardinals in St. Louis. • Albert Almora Jr. hit two home runs and a double on Sunday in Las Vegas, and Maddon liked what he saw. "The swings are really good," Maddon said. "Those are the things he and [hitting coaches John Mallee and Eric Hinske] have been working on. All three swings looked very similar, the way [Almora] finished, the balance, the ball in the air. That was my take on him last year watching him take batting practice. This kid has power and it's going to keep getting better and better." Maddon wasn't ready to reveal his starting lineup for Opening Night, and Almora could get the start in center against right-hander Carlos Martinez. "There's certain guys Albert matches up against," Maddon said. Maddon also likes what he's seen of Jason Heyward, who is batting .152 this spring. "I think the swings have been really good lately," Maddon said. "I see them making constant progress." Heyward spent the offseason in Arizona working with Mallee and Hinske on his swing. "I think he's at the point where he really likes what he's doing," Maddon said of Heyward, who batted .230 last year with the Cubs. "I like what he's doing and really anticipate a good year." • The numbers may not be pretty but Cubs closer Wade Davis isn't concerned. He's given up eight runs on nine hits and five walks over 3 2/3 innings this spring. "Everything's been pretty good strength-wise and the stuff has been good when I've executed it, and that's what I'm looking for now," Davis said. "I think the mentality will get better in the next couple days for sure, just locking it in and turn the switch on. That probably hasn't been there." • Kyle Schwarber started his fourth straight game on Monday, although Sunday's game in Las Vegas lasted one at-bat and he was pulled. The good news is that his left knee has passed all the tests. Schwarber tore two ligaments in the knee in the third game of the regular season last year, but has been good to go this spring. "My knee is a non-factor," he said on Monday. "I get rest days in so I'm not overworking it before the season starts. I felt we did a really good job in spring making sure I got work in and now I'm going into the season where it can be every day or get a day off, or whatever Joe comes up with. I feel confident with my knee." What kind of reception does Schwarber expect this Sunday night in St. Louis when the Cubs open against the Cardinals? "I think we'll get a standing ovation," he said, laughing. That's not likely. -- ESPNChicago.com How do you replace Dexter Fowler? Albert Almora Jr. and Jon Jay team up for the task By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- It’s only a coincidence that good friends Albert Almora Jr. and Jon Jay ended up on the same team. After years of working out with each other, along with fellow Miami natives such as Manny Machado and Yonder Alonso, the pair of center fielders will share time on the Chicago Cubs, replacing the popular Dexter Fowler.

They’ve promised to lean on each other, which will be particularly helpful for Almora, who is a decade younger and just starting his major league career. Recently the two sat down at their lockers in Cubs camp to discuss all things baseball, including the World Baseball Classic, in which they watched friends closely. Jay: I met Albert in 2013. Almora: After I was drafted. Jay: I liked him right away. I mean, I knew of him before, and I like to follow guys coming from Miami, and Manny Machado told me about him. After he turned pro, we started working out together -- that whole group from Miami. Almora: I’ve learned that gamer mentality from him -- how to be a pro, all that. Even in the offseason. The competitive nature of that whole group. Keep working. Take care of your body. Jay: It’s been fun [playing] next to him out there. We’re on the same page, and we talk all the time. Just getting ready for the season. Been watching the WBC too. Almora: Oh, yeah, that catch at the wall by [Adam] Jones was great. Jay: And that was against Manny. We both have that one in our pockets, right? [laughs] Almora: Definitely. He ran a long way for that in that ballpark. Oriole catching an Oriole. Jay: A [home run] or a catch in center is just as important. You can impact every game in center. You saw him [Jones] do that. It fired everyone up. Laying out or going all-out can do that to a team. That’s why we love it. We love playing defense. Almora: Yeah, for example, when Jones hit that home run a day or two earlier, you saw him just round the bases. When he caught that ball, you saw a lot more emotion. That’s what you get with great defense. It can fire everyone up. Jay: I’m just trying to fit in here. I’ll help him [Almora] or anyone as much as I can. Almora: It’s great having him here. The whole team is so happy to have him here. Jay: I loved watching these guys last year. I was live-tweeting that Game 7 [of the 2016 World Series]. I tweeted "heads-up play" or something like that when Albert tagged up and went to second on that fly ball. Almora: I got a lot of congratulations. I hear it from fans, even. He [Jay] texted me afterwards. Jay: It’s tough to come in there not playing a lot. Everything is going fast, and to slow it down and make that play was huge. That’s a big year. He made his debut and all the stuff that comes with that. Then to go to a World Series and win a World Series in his first year, that’s unbelievable. Almora: Last year was a great year as a husband, father and a baseball player. I learned a lot. The confidence would have been there no matter what, but getting that experience was great. Guys like Jon helped. Jay: The biggest thing I said to him is, "Everyone has their own path." You can’t get caught up in it. It’s about getting here and staying here -- not to be a flash. He’s here now. Almora (smiling): I don’t know the feeling of not winning one. My first year, and we win.

Jay: That series [Cubs vs. Cardinals in September 2015] you could see the atmosphere. It was unreal. Just playing against these guys for a while, you can see the excitement here. Almora: We’re going to have fun again this year. That’s what it’s all about. -- CSNChicago.com How Cubs Came To Fully Believe In The Legend Of Kyle Schwarber By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – An internal scouting report compared Kyle Schwarber to Babe Ruth before the 2014 draft. Schwarber debuted in The Show almost within a calendar year. The Cubs watched in awe as the rookie with the vicious left-handed swing became the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff home runs. Schwarber did it with cartoonish power, flicking his bat after smashing a Gerrit Cole pitch that landed in the Allegheny River, sinking the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League wild-card showdown. Schwarber turned the next round into Topgolf, driving one onto a Wrigley Field video board and changing the rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals forever. Before his 24th birthday, Schwarber had also: pulled off a medical miracle to rake in the World Series; spoken in front of what might have been one of the largest gatherings in human history; and got name-checked during President Barack Obama’s final official White House event. “I feel like I do have something to prove,” Schwarber said. Because the only Cub starring in a Gatorade ad campaign set to launch around Opening Day – a face of the New Era hat company with a weekly radio gig on WMVP-AM 1000 this season and an I-honestly-don’t-know, ask-my-agent attitude when asked how many endorsements have piled up – still hasn’t come close to playing a full season in the big leagues yet. But where jealousy and off-the-field distractions helped tear apart the ’85 Bears, the Cubs have an absolute organizational man crush on “Schwarbs,” fully believing the legend will continue. ---------- Tim Cossins’s wife, Lori, burst into tears after seeing Schwarber’s full-speed collision with Dexter Fowler on TV last year. Cossins, the organization’s minor-league field coordinator and catching guru, is usually in zombie mode by early April after the grind of spring training. But as a young prospect, Schwarber had made such a huge impression when he visited their home in Windsor, California, coaching up their teenage son, Aiden, on how to talk to girls in between taking batting practice and getting another crash course in catching. “My wife was bawling,” Cossins said. “I was just devastated. I was just shattered, like everybody was. In development, you get attached to these guys. To see one of them crawling around on a warning track is a horrifying feeling.” Schwarber exited Chase Field in an ambulance cart after crashing into Fowler, trying to chase down the ball Arizona Diamondbacks leadoff guy Jean Segura had blasted into the left-center gap. The next day, shaken team president Theo Epstein told beat writers on a conference call that Schwarber being ready when pitchers and catchers report in 2017 would be reasonable speculation. By April 19, Dr. Daniel Cooper – the head team physician for the Dallas Cowboys – had reconstructed Schwarber’s ACL and repaired his LCL in what was supposed to be season-ending surgery on his left knee.

In an eerie coincidence, Cossins watched the final out of the World Series in the same spot where he saw Schwarber facedown in the dirt, writhing in pain. Like any superstitious Cub fan, Game 7 put Cossins on edge to the point where he started watching offensive innings downstairs in his house and moving upstairs to the master bedroom for defensive innings. “It almost felt scripted,” Cossins said. “He just has that innate ability to rise up and do those kind of things. I think that’s just in him. He’s one of those players where he’s large when it counts.” ---------- Of course, a young player wants to rehab in Chicago instead of dealing with the 100-degree heat and the isolated feeling in the desert. Who wants to give up the life? Would you rather hang out on the Gold Coast or in Arizona strip malls? The Cubs made an exception for Schwarber, who showed up to Wrigley Field early and often, staying out of the way of players who needed to get ready for first pitch that night, feeding off the energy from the best team in baseball. “I knew that we could do something special and it was going to be hard for me,” Schwarber said. “Just dealing with those first six weeks, it was miserable. You can’t walk. You have to crutch everywhere. You have to have someone help you go to the bathroom. “You’re pretty much confined to a chair, unless you’re going to rehab or you’re getting up to go to the bathroom. They want you to keep your leg elevated, so that the swelling kind of works its way down. “(It’s) just trying to fight that mental battle…it was a weird spot for me.” To keep Schwarber engaged – beyond the video he would break down and scouting reports he would help put together – the Cubs invited the gym rat into their draft room. When Cubs officials broke for lunch during one pre-draft meeting, Jason McLeod, the senior vice president who oversees scouting and player development, decided to prank Schwarber. McLeod set it up with Tim Adkins, a regional crosschecker, telling the room, “We’re going to go back to the college catching,” knowing that would pique Schwarber’s interest. “But let’s just hurry up and get through the crap, the bottom half, the non-prospect-type-guys.” Adkins had the video clip cued up in the dining room of Wrigley Field’s state-of-the-art underground clubhouse, saying the defense is a question mark and the guy always got his numbers against weaker competition, beating up on schools like Morehead State, but doing nothing on weekends against Michigan and Michigan State. “And then we had him roll the film,” McLeod recalled. “And it was Schwarber from Indiana. You could tell he was locked in and all of a sudden he’s like: ‘Ah, man, f--- that!’” After sitting out Day 1 of the draft last June – and having to wait until No. 104 to make their first pick – McLeod and Epstein looked at each other and decided that someone had to fire up the group. “Schwarber just walks in the room and yells: ‘Let’s f------ go! Get some f------ players!’” McLeod recalled. “And then he walks out and goes: ‘Let’s do this s---!’ and then he walks out the door. “How comfortable and confident is he to come in and just do that?” ---------- The shocking news leaked out before the Cubs played an almost perfect Game 6 in the NLCS, beating Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the franchise’s first pennant since the year World War II ended.

Cooper, a medical expert within NFL circles, had given Schwarber the green light to ramp up his baseball activities, opening the possibility to be the designated hitter in an American League stadium. Schwarber flew from Dallas to Los Angeles and secretly hit in the cage at Dodger Stadium before traveling to Arizona, where the Cubs set up a pitching machine on Field 1 at the Sloan Park complex. Strength coaches fed at least 1,000 balls to Schwarber, who did his pre-pitch routine and natural stride toward the mound without actually swinging the bat, trying to sharpen his vision for Corey Kluber, Andrew Miller and the Cleveland Indians. Schwarber played in two Arizona Fall League games with the Mesa Solar Sox before taking a private jet to Cleveland. Did part of you wonder about being the weak link for a 103-win team, that maybe this wouldn’t be a Hollywood ending? “Those were definitely thoughts that crossed through my mind,” Schwarber said. “But when it came to the day of Game 1, I had all the confidence in the world in myself. I wanted to be the most confident person out there. And I felt like I was.” Manager Joe Maddon estimated that “1 to 5 percent of major-league players – MAYBE – could do what he did.” “It’s freak-of-nature stuff,” McLeod said. “You can’t be away for six months and step into the World Series against Cy Young-caliber pitching and do what he did. As much as we talk about it, it might even be years from now until we can fully even appreciate it. “You can set the machine at like 95 or 88 with sliders. He’s there just tracking, tracking, tracking with his eyes locked in on that. And even still, that is different than standing there with 50 million people watching you and Corey Kluber on the mound throwing a 92-mph cutter on the outside corner.” Schwarber saw six pitches and struck out swinging in his first at-bat against Kluber. The next time up, Schwarber slammed Kluber’s first-pitch fastball off the right-center field wall for a two-out double in the fourth inning. The Cubs lost Game 1, but won the next three at Progressive Field with Schwarber in the lineup and hitting .412 during the World Series. “It’s unbelievable,” said Kris Bryant, the reigning NL MVP. “You can look at as many balls off the machine (as you want). It will be close in terms of speed, but you can’t really replicate how much movement (Kluber) has on his ball. “He just saw pitches that had the right velocity, but nowhere near the movement or release point or timing or any of that. Especially coming off a knee injury, too, I’m sure he was kind of hesitant to do certain things. And then swinging – with all the torque he creates – it’s just all that stuff in your mind. “For him to go out there and just perform like he did – I don’t know how he did it.” Listed at 6 feet, 235 pounds – with a crew cut and a goatee that makes him look like a guy you would watch a Bears game with in Wrigleyville – Schwarber has outstanding hand-eye coordination and the type of athleticism that once made him a second-team all-Ohio linebacker in high school. David Ross – the grandpa figure now on “Dancing with the Stars” – sort of joked that Schwarber seemed more comfortable in the batter’s box with six months off than he ever did during a 15-year big-league career. “He’s born to hit,” Ross said. “He can roll out of bed and hit 95.” After Jason Heyward’s fiery speech in the weight room and the 17-minute rain delay in Game 7, Schwarber hammered Bryan Shaw’s 93-mph fastball past the defensive shift and into right field, sparking the 10th-inning rally with a leadoff single.

How do you top the biggest moment of your life? Schwarber doesn’t spend much time on those existential questions, looking out from the stage at the never-ending sea of people celebrating during the Grant Park rally, raising his arms and saying: “Let’s do it again next year!” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs Will Have Ian Happ One Phone Call Away At Triple-A Iowa By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – After an impressive camp where he looked like the next homegrown Cubs hitter to roll off the assembly line, Ian Happ will go to Triple-A Iowa and get ready to make his big-league debut, or perhaps build his value for a trade-deadline deal. Along with Happ, the Cubs assigned outfielder John Andreoli and catcher Taylor Davis to minor-league camp on Monday while optioning pitchers Eddie Butler and Rob Zastryzny to Iowa, cutting their roster to 31 as the Opening Night picture comes into focus. Happ – the ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft out of the University of Cincinnati – batted .417 with five homers, four doubles and 17 RBI in 24 Cactus League games. "Offensively, what was there not to like?" general manager Jed Hoyer said. "I feel like he hit the ball hard every at-bat for six weeks. It's always fun to see a young guy like that come in and open a lot of eyes." Happ, 22, is a switch-hitter who can play second base and the outfield, skills that could help him escape from Des Moines once the need arises on the major-league level. Though there are questions about Happ's defense, Theo Epstein's front office and Joe Maddon's coaching staff clearly value versatility and trust young talent, moving Addison Russell to shortstop in 2015 and elevating rookie catcher Willson Contreras last season. Stay tuned to see when/if the Cubs will have a spot at Wrigley Field, but Happ looks like he will be on a fast track. "Whenever you're in Triple-A, you're always a call away," Hoyer said. "Sometimes it happens quicker than you think. We never expected Addie would be up in April of that year, and he was. I feel like with Willson last year, if you had asked me in spring training – would he be up in June? – I probably would have thought it would be more like a September call-up or something like that. "You never know. Things happen. When you have good players in the minor leagues, sometimes it speeds up on you a little bit." --