March 14, 2017

CSNChicago.com, The Secret Weapon Behind The Rise Of The Cubs http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/secret-weapon-behind-rise-cubs

CSNChicago.com, Cubs: John Lackey Not Feeling Six-Man Rotations Or Retirement Tours http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-john-lackey-not-feeling-six-man-rotations-or-retirement-tours

CSNChicago.com, Duane Underwood Jr. Headlines Latest Round Of Cuts At Cubs Camp http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/duane-underwood-jr-headlines-latest-round-cuts-cubs-camp

Chicago Tribune, Kris Bryant on his 2017 contract with Cubs: 'I feel respected' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kris-bryant-cubs-contract-spt-0314-20170313-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Kris Bryant gaining an outside edge at the plate http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-kris-bryant-20170313-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' John Andreoli hits 3rd HR, but Italy eliminated at World Baseball Classic http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-john-andreoli-italy-wbc-20170314-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs prospects might find a clearer path to majors with other teams http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-prospects-trade-options-spt-0314-20170313-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Extending John Lackey's contract could buy time for Cubs to boost pitching depth http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-john-lackey-retirement-pitching-depth-sullivan-spt-0314-20170313-column.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs trim spring training roster to 50 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-training-roster-20170313-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' John Lackey walks down memory lane with former teammate Jered Weaver http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-john-lackey-jeff-weaver-20170313-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs’ Ian Happ — 3-for-3 with a homer — just can’t stop hitting http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-ian-happ-3-for-3-with-a-homer-just-cant-stop-hitting/

Chicago Sun-Times, John Lackey on possible six-man rotation: ‘I just work here, man’ http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/john-lackey-on-possible-six-man-rotation-i-just-work-here-man/

Chicago Sun-Times, Monday moves: Cubs trim spring training roster to 50 players http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/monday-moves-cubs-trim-spring-training-roster-to-50-players/

Chicago Sun-Times, George Foster: Big Red Machine would kick these Cubs’ butts http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/george-foster-big-red-machine-would-kick-these-cubs-butts/

Daily Herald, Schwarber game plan: finish the season wherever he's needed http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170313/sports/170319571/

Cubs.com, Lackey preparing for season, not thinking retirement http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219224912/cubs-john-lackey-not-thinking-retirement-yet/

Cubs.com, Happ stays hot, homers again to lead Cubs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219208262/ian-happ-homers-again-to-lead-cubs-offense/

Cubs.com, Andreoli turns heads during Classic run http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219267144/cubs-andreoli-shines-in-classic-for-italy/

Cubs.com, Bullpen coach Strode connects with relievers http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219208302/cubs-lester-strode-connects-with-relievers/

Cubs.com, Underwood among 10 pitchers cut from Majors camp http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/219210930/duane-underwood-among-10-cubs-sent-to-minors/

-- CSNChicago.com The Secret Weapon Behind The Rise Of The Cubs By Patrick Mooney MESA, Ariz. – Mike Borzello is the ultimate baseball insider. His godfather is Joe Torre. He learned about The Cardinal Way as a minor-league player, earned four World Series rings as a Yankees bullpen catcher and worked with young Dodgers like Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen before they became stars. "I don't even know what his exact title is," Kyle Hendricks said. "He kind of is a secret weapon." The Cubs list Borzello as the catching/strategy coach in the media guide, though manager Joe Maddon has compared him to a defensive coordinator in football, a unique asset that helps create scouting reports and oversee the binders in the dugout. During the early years of the Wrigleyville rebuild, ex-manager Dale Sveum and Borzello stamped the big-league team with their Belichick-ian fashion sense on road trips – hoodies, jeans, flip-flops – and Patriot-like attention to detail. So many random things had to break right for the Cubs to finally end the 108-year drought, from the Ryan Dempster-to-Atlanta-for-Randall Delgado deal unraveling, to the Astros drafting Mark Appel over Kris Bryant, to the escape clause in Maddon's contract with the Rays. Add this to the list: Red Sox ownership meddling in baseball operations and pushing to hire Bobby Valentine in the wake of an epic collapse to end the 2011 season and Terry Francona and Theo Epstein fleeing Fenway Park. "When Dale called me, I was with the Dodgers (and he) asked if I would be willing to actually go to Boston," Borzello recalled. "Because he thought he was getting the job in Boston. And then like 24 hours later, he says: ‘Would you still come if it's Chicago?' I had said yes. And (I told him) the answer is still yes. "That was it. I wound up interviewing with Theo and everything went from there. (Dale) thought he was going to Boston. That's what he told me at least. Next thing you know, we're here." Where would the Cubs be without that game-planning system? It allowed Epstein's front office to sell high on Dempster, Scott Feldman, Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija in trades that led to an ERA titleholder (Hendricks), a Cy Young Award winner (Jake Arrieta), multiple bullpen pieces (Pedro Strop, Justin Grimm, Carl Edwards Jr.) and an All-Star shortstop (Addison Russell).

"‘Borz' is just a great baseball rat (who) knows how to break that video down and get people out," Sveum said. "He's the best I've ever seen at it." The buddy system doesn't always work in pro sports. But Sveum shrewdly hired Chris Bosio, an old Brewers teammate who would construct the pitching infrastructure on the North Side. Sveum had immediately hit it off with Borzello during spring training in 1998, hanging around a Yankees team that would win 114 games and begin a World Series three-peat. "Some guys are good at X's and O's," Sveum said. "Borzello is unbelievable at knocking out video and telling you: ‘If you do this, this guy will be an out. Don't do anything more, don't do anything less. If you can do this, then the guy will be out.' "Where Bosio can take a guy (whose) slider starts breaking at 40 feet away, and he can teach him a new slider (where it now) starts breaking eight feet away, which is huge when you're talking about spin. "(Borzello) was a bullpen catcher. But, s---, all you do is talk about baseball every day and you know right away that a guy has an innate ability to break down hitters or break down swings, why this pitch is going to work on that guy: If you do it…the guy's got no chance." Sveum – who got fired after 197 losses combined in 2012 and 2013 and wound up winning a World Series ring as the hitting coach for the 2015 Royals – referenced Borzello while talking about the late free-agent additions to Kansas City's pitching staff. "The kicker to it all is getting through to the pitchers," Sveum said. "Obviously, I know Travis (Wood), and talking to Jason Hammel, they're going to miss him, because he's got a knack at telling you, straight-up, ‘if you f--- this up, this is your fault.' Because ‘Borz' doesn't care who you are, how much money you're making, he's going to freaking tell you. "Some guys think he's abrasive, but he's just brutally honest. He's not going to beat around the bush." Of course, this simply isn't a one-man show or a two-man operation. The Cubs also built out an entire research-and-development wing. Coordinators Tommy Hottovy (run prevention) and Nate Halm (run production) also handle advance scouting and help translate messages from The Geek Department into the clubhouse. Investing $155 million in Jon Lester certainly changed the trajectory of the franchise. But Borzello, 46, has extraordinary perspective after catching Mariano Rivera's cutter during warm-ups at the old Tiger Stadium, an accidental discovery that launched the all-time saves leader. Before Big Data overwhelmed the industry, Borzello also worked closely with Mike Mussina in The Bronx. After following Torre to the West Coast, Borzello continued his education at Dodger Stadium, watching how Manny Ramirez would sequester himself in the video room and later helping Jansen develop his own cutter. The system the Cubs use now is rooted in what Borzello learned there from veteran catcher/future Detroit manager Brad Ausmus. Don't think heat maps or spray charts or an overly complicated report. Just a one-page template with quick-hit boxes highlighting what the video analysis and the numbers show. "He gives you a really good feel of what you need to do to execute a game plan," said Hendricks, who made the leap from fifth starter to Cy Young Award finalist last year. "He's been around some of the greatest. He's been with a lot of pitchers who were some of the best in the game for reasons other than just their stuff. "It's not just getting away with stuff. It's knowing how to pitch, sequences, that kind of thing. He just has such an understanding of it. Just sitting down and talking to him, you can see it clear as day." --

CSNChicago.com Cubs: John Lackey Not Feeling Six-Man Rotations Or Retirement Tours By Patrick Mooney PEORIA, Ariz. – John Lackey finally had enough small talk about Tim Buss – the strength and conditioning coordinator who wore a Lucha Libre mask and a Speedo while the Cubs stretched before Monday's workout in Mesa – and wanted to knock out the obligatory media session. "I've got places to go that are way better than Peoria," Lackey told reporters inside the visiting clubhouse during a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres. "No offense. With all due respect." Lackey doesn't need Will Ferrell's Ricky Bobby "Talladega Nights" qualifier, because he pretty much says whatever he wants. At the age of 38 – with nearly 3,000 innings on his big-league resume and a third World Series ring on the way – Lackey doesn't pretend to be somebody else for the cameras. As for that "hybrid" role manager Joe Maddon has outlined for fifth/sixth starters Brett Anderson and Mike Montgomery, well, you can guess Lackey's take. "We like our routines," said Lackey, who went three innings and gave up one run at Peoria Stadium. "We like to know what we're going to do every five days. We'll see how it works out. It could be good. But it could disrupt some things, too." Not that Lackey would bring those concerns to Maddon: "I just work here, man, you know what I mean?" Maddon – the Anaheim Angels bench coach when Lackey beat Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series – knows the act and already anticipated the reactions from a veteran rotation as the Cubs try to recover from pitching into early November and ramp up for another deep playoff run. "Even though you know you're going to get resistance," Maddon said, "if we're able to pull that off…it might add something to these guys." The Angels drafted Lackey during the Clinton administration. Addison Russell was eight years old when Lackey made his big-league debut. Lackey underwent Tommy John surgery during Kris Bryant's sophomore year at the University of San Diego. Lackey has already gotten through 133 starts (including the playoffs) with that reconstructed right elbow. Lackey – who's in the final season of a two-year, $32 million contract – has vowed to never do a David Ross-style retirement tour. "More than anything, it's going to be what he's thinking, how he feels," Maddon said. "He's got a young family and he's definitely got plenty of money in the bank. So what does he want to do? "I would think that he's going to evaluate his performance – and how he feels by the end of this season – and make that determination. He loves the game. The guy is absolutely a junkie. There's no question about it. "We'll just wait and see. It will be up to him, obviously, but Johnny is that kind of guy (who will) just say, ‘That's it,' and literally ride off into the sunset." This technically marked Lackey's first Cactus League start this spring after facing Team Italy in last week's World Baseball Classic tune-up. "Italy didn't count?" Lackey said. "So I shouldn't have had to talk to you guys (then). You guys hosed me on that one."

The snarling Lackey will be back in April, but for now he's enjoying getting ready for his 15th season in The Show. Either way, Lackey isn't making big plans to soak it all in, the way Ross visited the Lincoln Memorial, took a carriage ride through Central Park and got in the water with a beluga whale at SeaWorld last season. "He played a lot less than the rest of us," Lackey said. "He had plenty of time on his hands." So…that would be a no? "I'm just going to try to win," Lackey said. "I'm definitely going to maybe bring my son around a little bit more, that kind of stuff. But honestly I haven't even thought about that. When I get to the end of the season, we'll see where we're at and make the decision." -- CSNChicago.com Duane Underwood Jr. Headlines Latest Round Of Cuts At Cubs Camp By Patrick Mooney PEORIA, Ariz. – Once the brightest pitching prospect in an organization stocked with hitters, Duane Underwood Jr. quietly got optioned to Double-A Tennessee on Monday without the Cubs first giving him a look in the Cactus League. The good news is that manager Joe Maddon says Underwood is healthy after injuries interrupted the right-hander's 2015 (elbow strain) and 2016 (forearm strain) seasons. There is only so much room in the schedule with the Cubs still having 24 pitchers in camp – even after two rounds of cuts – and projecting improved upper-level depth with guys like Rob Zastryzny, Eddie Butler and Alec Mills. The Cubs also understand that pitching isn't linear – at least for pitchers drafted out of high school and especially compared to those fast-track college hitters – and Underwood won't turn 23 until this summer. Underwood – a 40-man roster addition in November – will start Friday against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. "I want to see him," Maddon said. "It's in his hands. This guy is really talented and you get a young player like that – I talk all the time about the levels – he really needs to figure out that he belongs here and he can do this. "If he does, that stuff will take off, because his stuff's that good. But he has to get there mentally for that all to happen." As part of Monday's pitching-focused roster moves, the Cubs: optioned Aaron Brooks, Jose Rosario and Jack Leathersich to Triple-A Iowa; assigned Seth Frankoff, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina, Conor Mullee and Zac Rosscup to minor-league camp; and released Maikel Cleto. The Cubs saw enough potential in Underwood to grab him with a second-round pick in the 2012 draft – the first for the Theo Epstein administration in Chicago – and buy out his commitment to the University of Georgia with a $1.05 million signing bonus. "Physically, he's got all the tools in the world," Maddon said. "Great body. He's had the pedigree. He's got everything going in his favor. Now, I don't know. Is it confidence? It probably is. "But be ready for the opportunity, take advantage of it. That's where I see him, because he's a very interesting young man that has to go out there and seize the opportunity." -- Chicago Tribune Kris Bryant on his 2017 contract with Cubs: 'I feel respected' By Mark Gonzales

Kris Bryant was grateful that the Cubs compensated him Friday with the largest contract ever given to a player not yet eligible for salary arbitration. "I felt like I earned it," Bryant said Monday of his $1.05 million contract for 2017. "I felt like just seeing where I fall with guys that were in my situation, I feel respected. It's nice. But all that stuff is good." The Cubs avoided the acrimony other teams have experienced when renewing players' contracts regardless of their production. Teams can decide how much to pay players in that service class. The major-league minimum for 2017 is $535,000. Bryant earned $652,000 in 2016. Bryant, 25, who won the 2016 National League Most Valuable Player Award, is excited to help the Cubs defend their World Series title. "But it's time to perform on the field," Bryant said. "I thought I was excited last year, but I'm more excited for this year and to see how this team responds to winning a championship and how we're going to play that out." The Cubs' projected opening-day payroll, in terms of base pay, will exceed $152 million. Process over results: After hitting a home run and double on March 6, Jason Heyward has gone hitless in his last eight at-bats. "I'm not into spring training performances," manager Joe Maddon said of Heyward and his retooled swing. "I see some good stuff." Maddon said he remains encouraged by Heyward hitting the ball in the air with more regularity after lots of feeble grounders last year. Maddon stressed he wasn't making excuses for Heyward but pointed out that Heyward has faced more left-handed pitchers, particularly in specific situations. "It's awkward," Maddon said. "They're matching up against him already. He's had some bad luck. He looks pretty good." Pitching probe: Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta will pitch in minor-league games Thursday and Friday. That leaves Eddie Butler facing the Dodgers and Duane Underwood Jr. opposing the White Sox in their place in Glendale. Underwood was one of 10 pitchers removed from the spring training roster. Maikel Cleto, who has major-league experience with the Cardinals and White Sox, was granted his release. Underwood, has battled injuries, was optioned to Double-A Tennessee. -- Chicago Tribune Kris Bryant gaining an outside edge at the plate By Mark Gonzales It was only a spring training home run, but Kris Bryant’s homer to right center Sunday at HoHoKam Park had special meaning for the Chicago Cubs star slugger. Bryant’s major point of emphasis last winter was driving outside pitches right and right center field — a trait he displayed in 2014 in the minors. So when Raul Alcantara of the Oakland Athletics threw a pitch that ran on the outside corner, Bryant was ready. “The first couple games I fouled off some pitches that were away that I could have done what I did Sunday on,” Bryant said. “It was nice. I think if I can get back to that, I’ll feel very comfortable at the plate.”

Bryant hit only one of his 39 home runs last season to the right of center field as opponents were trying to pitch him inside constantly. That prevented him somewhat from driving the ball to the opposite field as he did in 2014, when he hit 27 of his 43 homers to right and right center for Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. “They just can’t throw it over there and hope for a single. I’ve been able to handled that pitch very well. This last year I don’t want to say it got away from me, but people kept pounding me inside, so I had to make an adjustment. Hopefully I can get back to what I did a lot in the minors when I hit a lot of homers that way.” Manager Joe Maddon was delighted to see Bryant drive the ball the opposite way with power. "It’s nice if he gets that back into his game," Maddon said. "It makes him more difficult to pitch to." Bryant continues to wear a protective guard on his left leg, which came in handy when he fouled off an inside pitch two pitches before hitting the homer. “That’s why I wear that leg guard,” Bryant said. “I realize a lot of times, especially with certain teams that like to sink it inside to me, I’m going to hit them off my foot a lot. But (hitting coach) John Mallee and I looked at the numbers the other day that I do really well on the pitches that are even in off the plate, so I’m going to keep swinging at those because I do a lot of damage on them. But if I can get back to covering the outside corner, it will be a whole lot better for me.” -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' John Andreoli hits 3rd HR, but Italy eliminated at World Baseball Classic By Mark Gonzales John Andreoli’s heroics couldn’t prevent Italy from being eliminated Monday night in the World Baseball Classic, and now the Cubs will be without reliever Hector Rondon for at least the next six days. Andreoli hit a solo home run in the seventh inning that gave Italy a 2-1 lead, but Venezuela rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to seize a 4-3 win at Jalisco, Mexico, and become the second team out of Pool D play to advance to the next round. Andreoli hit three home runs in three games, but he will return to Arizona to rejoin his Cubs teammates after Italy was eliminated. Miguel Cabrera’s game-tying homer sparked a three-run rally in the ninth for Venezuela, which will advance to Pool F play starting Tuesday in San Diego. Rondon is expect to join his native Venezuelan teammates in time for Pool F play, which also includes the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the United States. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs prospects might find a clearer path to majors with other teams By Mark Gonzales The Cubs are in no rush to accelerate the development of Eloy Jimenez, Ian Happ and other prospects who have excelled this spring. But they have a need for young starting pitching they could address at the expense of one or more of the prospects who have pleased manager Joe Maddon throughout spring training.

The situation could become more urgent with Jake Arrieta destined for free agency after 2017 and John Lackey, 38, entering the final year of a two-year contract. The Cubs need pitching depth at the upper levels, even if late-winter acquisitions Eddie Butler and Alec Mills blossom. The Yankees were interested in Jimenez before settling on shortstop Gleyber Torres as the centerpiece of a July trade that sent closer Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs. Jimenez, 20, might not be a serious candidate to reach the majors until midway through the 2018 season. Meanwhile, Happ and Jeimer Candelario have impressed, but their paths to the majors are blocked by youngsters Javier Baez and Kris Bryant. "They're all over the place," Maddon said of the prospect depth. "If it weren't for the fact these players on the major-league team were so young, you'd hear more about these guys. Or if you were with an organization with a bunch of veterans maybe on their way out, these guys would be getting a lot more play. "They've all been very impressive. And I can't talk enough about the scouting and development." Happ, 22, the Cubs' first pick in the 2015 draft, smacked a two-run home run Monday to the right of the batter's eye at the Peoria Sports Complex and is batting .467 (14-for-30) with three homers. Happ's switch-hitting ability is intriguing, and he has played exceptionally well at second base this spring. His versatility could dictate whether he sticks with the Cubs or becomes more attractive to a team willing to surrender a pitching prospect. "The minor-league guys insist — and I believe them — that he's pretty good in the outfield too," Maddon said last month. "You look at what gets him here sooner, where the need is going to arrive. If you just slot him at second base only and that's the only position you feel comfortable with and you need a left fielder, we can't bring him up because he doesn't play that position. "That's why the versatility is so important. But I've liked what I've seen and like talking to him too." Candelario, 23, is also a switch hitter. With Bryant in his path at third base, Candelario has worked out at first base — where Anthony Rizzo stands in the way. The Cubs, according to a source, nearly dealt Candelario to the Phillies in the middle of the 2015 season for catcher Carlos Ruiz. Candelario isn't wrapped up in what the Cubs may have in store for him, and they could hold on to him as insurance in case Bryant or Rizzo is injured. "I don't take care of it," Candelario said. "They take care of it. I worked hard in the offseason and prepare myself to be better and be ready to go." -- Chicago Tribune Extending John Lackey's contract could buy time for Cubs to boost pitching depth By Paul Sullivan Cubs manager Joe Maddon fully expects John Lackey to avoid a prolonged, sentimental exit if he decides to retire this year, unlike the grand farewell tour David Ross took in 2016. "I would think he's going to evaluate his performance and know how he feels at the end of the season before he makes that determination," Maddon said Monday before Lackey's second spring start. "He loves the game. The guy absolutely is a (baseball) junkie, no doubt about it. "But Johnny, he's the kind of guy that will just say, 'That's it,' and literally ride off into the sunset. Or, if there's something he's feeling he wants to come back (for), he may do that."

After allowing one run in three innings in a 3-1 victory over the Padres, Lackey reiterated he won't be pulling a "Grandpa goodbye" this year. "He played a lot less than the rest of us," Lackey said, laughing. "He had plenty of time on his hands. No, I'm just going to go try to win every five days. ... I'm going to maybe bring my son around more, that kind of stuff. But honestly I haven't even thought about (retiring). "When we get to the end of the season, we'll see where we're at and make a decision." Lackey will be 39 next year but has shown no signs of rust. And as evidenced by his exaggerated body language whenever a call doesn't go his way, he hasn't lost his love for competition. It may seem crazy, but with Jake Arrieta's future in Chicago in doubt after 2017, the Cubs probably should extend Lackey's deal through 2018 before he gets to the point where he has to decide. Lackey's conditioning program should keep him at a high level for at least another couple of years if he wants to keep pitching. Maddon said he doesn't need to make any concessions to Lackey's age besides watching his workload, and that could be lessened by Maddon's use of a "hybrid" sixth starter on occasion. "Even though you know you're going to get resistance (from the five starters), if we're able to pull that off because we have the right guys to pull it off with, it might add something to these guys," Maddon said. Lackey is not a fan of the "hybrid" plan, pointing out starters "like our routines, we like to know what we're doing every five days." "It could be good," he said, "but it could disrupt some things too." But even if he doesn't like the plan, Lackey said he wouldn't lobby Maddon to change his mind. "I just work here, man," he said. "You know what I mean?" Of course, man. Another factor to consider in offering Lackey an add-on year is the lack of top-shelf replacements available in the farm system. Rob Zastryzny, who performed well in the bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Iowa in August, is expected to be in the Iowa rotation, but he's not a sure thing. Zastryzny, 24, was shelled Sunday and has a 14.73 ERA in three spring appearances. Other starters at Iowa might include Alec Mills, 25, a Royals prospect acquired in February; Eddie Butler, 26, who was 6-16 with a 6.50 ERA in 36 games with the Rockies; and Jake Buchanan, 27, who had a 4.34 ERA in Triple A last year. Before his first trade deadline with the Cubs in 2012, President Theo Epstein pointed to the need to add young pitching. "It's not enough to have a handful or two," Epstein said. "You need waves and waves coming through your system, and we don't have that. We hardly even have one wave coming, so we need to rebuild a lot of pitching depth." The Cubs have been able to acquire pitching talent — including Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Carl Edwards Jr. — but they haven't had the same luck drafting pitchers. "Some of it was the way we focus on the draft," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "We certainly fired our bigger bullets on position players, and that was strategic. It's a valid question, and one we've asked ourselves a lot.

"We've focused a lot on developing these guys that have come up through the system, but for the most part those are guys we traded for — Hendricks and (Justin) Grimm and Edwards. ... Having the efficiency of the young position players has allowed us to spend some money on starting pitching, and we've been really good about trading for starting pitching. "But taking the guy from draft pick into your major-league rotation is something we haven't done yet. ... We need to do that in the future." Maybe an extra year of Lackey could buy them some time — unless he's really ready to take that ride into the sunset. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs trim spring training roster to 50 By Mark Gonzales The Chicago Cubs adjusted their pitching staff Monday with a series of moves prior to their game against the San Diego Padres. Aaron Brooks and Jose Rosario, and left-handed pitcher Jack Leathersich were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. was optioned to Double-A Tennessee. Non-roster invitees Seth Frankoff, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina and Conor Mullee, and left-hander Zac Rosscup were reassigned to the minor league camp. Maikel Cleto was granted his release. In addition, Mike Montgomery is scheduled to follow Brett Anderson when the Cubs face the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday at Sloan Park. Kyle Hendricks will face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night at Sloan Park. In a slight adjustment, Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta will pitch in minor league games Thursday and Friday. Eddie Butler will start Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Glendale, with Underwood starting the following day against the White Sox at Glendale. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' John Lackey walks down memory lane with former teammate Jered Weaver By Mark Gonzales John Lackey maintains he hasn't dwelled on whether 2017 will be his final season, although he has thought about having his son accompany him more frequently and poked fun at the retirement tour last season by former Cubs teammate David Ross. But after pitching three innings of one-run ball Monday against the Padres, Lackey looked like a veteran that was enjoying every moment. Lackey pumped fists with manager Joe Maddon as he left the dugout, and then exchanged pleasantries with home plate umpire Mike Winters as he headed toward the right field line. But Lackey, 38, turned to his right to greet Padres pitcher Jered Weaver, 34, a former teammate with the Angels from 2006 to 2009. “It’s kind of weird," Lackey said. "Sometimes it feels like it wasn’t long ago. Some days it feels like 100 years ago. But we had a lot of good years. He came up, and I kind of took care of him.

"The last few years, he’s been sending me cleats and hooking me up. It’s kind of come full circle. He’s a good buddy, and I’m happy he’s still going." -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs’ Ian Happ — 3-for-3 with a homer — just can’t stop hitting By Steve Greenberg PEORIA, Ariz. — You will not get Ian Happ out. No one can. The switch-hitting prospect went 3-for-3 in the Cubs’ 3-1 victory over the Padres with a majestic home run to center field, otherwise known as just another day at the office. The 22-year-old is now 14-for-30 (.467) with an OPS of 1.351. Small sample size, sure, but this kid has big talent. “I’m feeling really good at the plate,” he said. “Just trying to enjoy my time and learn as much as I can.” Pitcher hit It was a scary moment when Jake Buchanan was hit by a line drive, but word from the Cubs was that he’s essentially OK. Buchanan was hit in his upper right (throwing) arm — just a bruise, fortunately. Nice spring moment As he was walking off the field after his three innings, starter John Lackey popped over to the Padres’ dugout and shared a hug with former teammate Jered Weaver. They had some good years together in the Angels’ -rotation. D-peat update The Cubs’ always-on defense showed up in the early going when catcher Willson Contreras easily gunned down a would-be base stealer at third. The next batter doubled, but newcomer Jon Jay made a fine play in left to field the ball, spin and seemingly nail the runner at second. Happ missed the tag, though (must be why he’s still a minor-leaguer). On deck Brewers at Cubs, Mesa, 3:05 p.m., cubs.com, Zach Davies vs. Brett Anderson. -- Chicago Sun-Times John Lackey on possible six-man rotation: ‘I just work here, man’ By Steve Greenberg PEORIA, Ariz. — John Lackey stood in the visitor’s locker room at Peoria Stadium, his feet bare, his right arm and shoulder entombed in ice, notebooks and recorders in his face. How many times had he done this old drill? “Hell, I don’t know, I think I’ve made close to 500 starts [actually, 416] in the regular season,” he said after getting in three innings of work in the Cubs’ 3-1 victory over the Padres. “So maybe a thousand times?” The rhythms of being a starting pitcher are engrained in the 38-year-old right-hander, who’s entering his 15th major league season. But manager Joe Maddon has a mind to throw off the routines of Lackey and his fellow starters just a bit by occasionally starting Brett Anderson and Mike Montgomery — the “co-No. 5 starters” — in a six-man rotation.

It would save some wear and tear on Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and Lackey over the course of the season, which Lackey acknowledges could be a good thing. On the other hand, he also said it could be a “disruption.” “Starters, we like our routines. We like to know what we’re doing every five games.” If Lackey, potentially in his last season with the Cubs — and maybe of his career — were bumped off his routine and felt his preparation and performance were adversely affected, would he try to persuade Maddon to change his mind? “I don’t know,” he said. “I just work here, man.” The Bryant of old? Reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant has been working, with much success, on regaining his opposite-field stroke. He was out of the lineup on Monday, but homered to right-center the day before — a blast from the past, as some in the Cubs organization see it. “That’s what he was when he first came up in the minor leagues — that’s all I heard about, him hitting home runs to right-center,” Maddon said. “And [since] then, everything has been on the pull side. This is good. It’s nice. If he gets that back in his game, it just makes him more difficult to pitch to.” Monday moves The Cubs have gotten a little closer to their 25-man Opening Day roster. Pitcher Maikel Cleto was released Monday and nine other players — all pitchers — were assigned to minor league camp, reducing the team’s spring roster from 60 to 50. Optioned to AAA Iowa: Aaron Brooks, Jose Rosario and Jack Leathersich. To AA Tennessee: Duane Underwood Jr. Seth Frankoff, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina, Conor Mullee and Zac Rosscup also were affected. -- Chicago Sun-Times Monday moves: Cubs trim spring training roster to 50 players By Steve Greenberg MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs have gotten a little closer to their 25-man Opening Day roster. Pitcher Maikel Cleto was released Monday and nine other players — all pitchers — were assigned to minor league camp, reducing the team’s spring roster from 60 to 50. Optioned to AAA Iowa: Aaron Brooks, Jose Rosario and Jack Leathersich. To AA Tennessee: Duane Underwood Jr. Seth Frankoff, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina, Conor Mullee and Zac Rosscup also were affected. -- Chicago Sun-Times George Foster: Big Red Machine would kick these Cubs’ butts By Steve Greenberg MESA, Ariz. — It’s doubtful that anyone in Chicago remembers George Foster for the brief stint he had with the White Sox in 1986, his final year in the big leagues.

Foster played for four teams, including the Mets, with whom he spent four seasons later in his career. But he was a star — some would say a superstar — in the 1970s with Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. At the heart of a spectacular Reds lineup, the five-time All-Star and ’77 National League MVP’s thunderous bat loomed large. But enough about his credentials already. Foster — 68 and kicking around the Cactus League signing autographs — is talking smack about our fair Cubbies. “I’m pulling against them,” he told the Sun-Times. “I don’t want them to break our record.” The Reds of ’75 and ’76 are the last NL team to repeat as World Series champions, and it’s no wonder they were able to pull that off. What a lineup it was: Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan, Foster, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Cesar Geronimo, Dave Concepcion. Morgan, Bench and Perez are Hall of Famers. For a good while, Foster seemed on his way. Rose should be there, too, but we can talk about that another time. (Please, simmer down.) “Our team had speed, power, speed,” Foster said. “It was a very balanced lineup. You had speed at the top, then you had power in the middle, then you had speed at the bottom. But a lot of our guys had both. Joe Morgan. Pete Rose. Ken Griffey. Great players. “But my measurement is which guys have Hall of Fame potential. We had a lot. We had more of those guys than the Cubs. Kris Bryant, I like him. He hits for average, power, drives in runs. He has Hall of Fame potential. I don’t know about those other guys.” Seriously? Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber, Javy Baez … Given the chance to weigh in on the hugely relevant non-story that is this hypothetical series, Joe Maddon raised an excellent point: A few years down the road, this young Cubs lineup might look even more historically significant than it does now. “A seven-game series? Anything can happen. But I would say one thing: They were more experienced than our group is, there’s no question. See, if you want to make that comparison, let us be that age, let us have that many years of experience, and then play. That’d be interesting.” Boy, wouldn’t it be? Rose, Morgan and Perez all were in their 30s during the repeat years, and Bench was closing in on 30. Compared with them, the Cubs are just babies. “Plus, they don’t have a leadoff hitter after [Dexter] Fowler left,” he said. “How are you going to not have a leadoff hitter?” No need to get mad at Foster, Cubs fans. He was very friendly and just having fun with the conversation. Although, come to think of it, he did rip the pitching staff, too. “Just get past [Jake] Arrieta,” he said, “and we got them. They may have better pitching than we did, actually, but Arrieta is the only one of their pitchers I’d worry about. Get past Arrieta, and they don’t have anybody else who can beat us.” -- Daily Herald Schwarber game plan: finish the season wherever he's needed By Bruce Miles Memo to those who want to underestimate Kyle Schwarber: Do so at your risk.

That should have been apparent last fall when Schwarber came back from major early-season knee injury and willed his way into the lineup in time for the World Series, beating even the Cubs' own projections for his return. Schwarber continued working in the off-season, and he arrived at spring training saying he was 100 percent and ready to go. The 24-year-old Schwarber has taken up any challenge thrown at him during his brief career after the Cubs took him in the first round of the 2014 draft. Doubters have scoffed at Schwarber's viability as a catcher, his preferred position. Last year's knee injury and the fact that the Cubs have a pair of bona fide backstops will limit Schwarber's time behind the plate. So out to left field Schwarber will go again. The 6-foot, 235-pounder might be limited in left, but he continues to work in the outfield, and manager Joe Maddon has steadfastly maintained that Schwarber is better than advertised with the outfield glove. Schwarber has acquitted himself well enough in the Cactus League so far, both in the field and at the plate, where he was 6-for-22 with 2 triples and a homer through Sunday. What the Cubs really want to see is a full year of Schwarber and his offensive potential. He played in only 2 games last season because of the knee injury he suffered in the second series of the season. That injury came as the result of a collision in the outfield. In just 69 games in 2015, Schwarber put up a line of .246/.355/.487 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI. For his postseason career, he has a line of .364/.451/.727 for an OPS of 1.178 with 32 total bases, 5 home runs and 10 RBI. This year, Schwarber will take up a new challenge as he likely will be the Cubs' primary leadoff hitter. "It's another spot in the lineup," he said early in camp. "I think it would be a cool spot. You've got some guys behind you in Kris (Bryant) and Riz (Anthony Rizzo) and (Ben) Zobrist and all those other guys. If I'm there, I'm there." Schwarber may not look like the "prototypical" leadoff hitter, but the description and definition of a leadoff hitter have changed over the years. He is not a speed guy who will steal many bases, but the Cubs like his ability to see pitches and get on base at his career clip of .353. "I don't want him to change anything," Maddon said. "His DNA is to see pitches, accept walks, work good at-bats." Maddon further explained the rationale for batting a player like Schwarber first. "It's always about getting your better hitters to hit more often, and they have a tendency to get on base," he said. "And when you get to the 4-hole and it is Zobrist, it just make sense based on left-right-left-switch (hitter) and go back to back to left if you want or right. Part of it is just the balance of the whole thing. When people say cleanup hitter or third hitter, everybody's applying conventional means from several years ago. My thinking is we're saying better hitter, getting on base and then who can actually protect Rizzo." When Schwarber returned last fall, he went 7-for-17 in the World Series with a double, 2 RBI and 3 walks. He will continue to wear the knee brace for the foreseeable future. But he said there was no mental hurdle coming back. "I don't think there was really a psychological hurdle," he said. "I wanted to be 100 percent as soon as I came in. These last couple months of being out here and doing my work have been good." Schwarber may catch on occasion, and he may be taken out of left field late in games for a defensive replacement. Beyond that, Maddon said he is mindful of all that Schwarber went through during his rehab.

"Pretty significant injury he came off," the manager said. "We all know what he did in the World Series last year. People are going to look at that and base their entire Schwarber world around that last two games. But he's still coming off a really significant injury, and we have to be very careful with that. "I would like to see him play an entire season. It would be kind of nice to get a full season of Kyle Schwarber, major-league baseball. So that's the most important thing to get out of this." -- Cubs.com Lackey preparing for season, not thinking retirement By Carrie Muskat PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Cubs may see John Lackey's son around the clubhouse a little more this year, but the veteran pitcher isn't planning on seeing the sights in Washington D.C., the way former teammate David Ross did in his farewell tour last season. "He played a lot less than the rest of us," Lackey said of Ross. "He had plenty of time on his hands." While Ross is tuning up for "Dancing with the Stars," Lackey is prepping for his 15th big league season -- and second with the Cubs. In Monday's 3-1 win over the Padres, Lackey scattered three hits over three innings, walked one and struck out one in his first Cactus League outing. Lackey also faced Team Italy in an exhibition game earlier this spring. "It's still not there, but it was a nice step forward," said Lackey, who threw mostly fastballs and mixed in a couple of changeups. As Lackey, 38, headed to the visitor's clubhouse at Peoria Sports Complex, he stopped by the Padres' dugout to say hello to former teammate Jered Weaver, 34. The two played together on the Angels from 2006-09. "It's kind of weird," Lackey said of their time together. "Some days it feels like it wasn't that long ago, and some days it feels like it was 100 years ago. We had a lot of good years. When he came up, I took care of him, and the last few years, he's been sending me cleats and stuff like that, hooking me up. It's kind of come full circle. He's a good buddy, and I'm happy he's still going." How much longer will Lackey pitch? We may not know until the end of the season. "More than anything, it's going to be what he's thinking, how he feels," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He's got a young family, plenty of money in the bank. What does he want to do? I would think he'll evaluate his performance and how he feels at the end of the season, and make that determination . "He loves the game, he's an absolute junkie. It'll be up to him, obviously. He's that kind of guy where he'll say, 'That's it,' and literally ride off into the sunset. If there's something he's feeling, and he wants to come back, he may do that." Lackey isn't taking mental snapshots of each Spring Training ballpark, as he makes what might be his last spring tour. He's not complaining about the drive from Mesa to Peoria, because Lackey remembers his first spring start for the Red Sox was in Port St. Lucie, Fla. -- that drive took more than two hours across the state of Florida. "I'm just going to try to win, man, every five days," Lackey said. "I'll maybe bring my son around a little bit more, that kind of stuff. I haven't even thought about [retirement]. When we get to the end of the season, we'll see where we're at and make a decision." --

Cubs.com Happ stays hot, homers again to lead Cubs By AJ Cassavell PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ian Happ's red-hot bat powered the Cubs to a 3-1 victory over the Padres on Monday at Peoria Sports Complex. Happ -- the Cubs' first-round Draft pick in 2015 and their No. 2 prospect, per MLBPipeline.com -- has raked for the better part of the past week. He had three hits, including a monster, two-run home run in the second inning, on Monday, and he's 9-for-11 with three homers over his past four games. San Diego got a run back in the bottom of the third, when third baseman Cory Spangenberg created a run by himself. He smacked a hustle double into the right-center field gap, then stole third. The throw from catcher Willson Contreras hit Wil Myers, the batter, squarely in the back, and the ball ricocheted into the dugout allowing Spangenberg to score. (Myers was OK and remained in the game.) That would be the only run allowed by Cubs starter John Lackey, who tossed three innings and struck out one. As Lackey headed to the visitor's clubhouse, he stopped by the Padres' dugout to say hello to Jered Weaver, who was the right-hander's teammate on the Angels from 2006-09. "It's kind of weird," Lackey said of their time together. "Some days it feels like it wasn't that long ago, and some days it feels like it was 100 years ago. We had a lot of good years. When he came up, I took care of him, and the last few years, he's been sending me cleats and stuff like that, hooking me up. It's kind of come full circle. He's a good buddy and I'm happy he's still going." Contreras added an RBI double for the Cubs. Padres starter Luis Perdomo surrendered two runs -- both on Happ's homer -- while striking out a pair over 3 2/3 frames. It was the second outing of the spring for Perdomo, who is a favorite for one of the two remaining rotation spots. Cubs up next: Lefty Brett Anderson will make his second spring start -- and fourth appearance -- on Tuesday when the Cubs host the Brewers at Sloan Park at 3:05 p.m. CT. Anderson, who missed most of last season following back surgery, is the leading candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation. Padres up next: The Padres have their second off-day of the spring Tuesday, before heading to Goodyear to face the Reds at 1:05 p.m. PT on Wednesday, live on MLB.TV. Clayton Richard will get the start for the Padres. Jarred Cosart is throwing on Tuesday's off-day. -- Cubs.com Andreoli turns heads during Classic run By Matt Kelly John Andreoli might not be the first name Cubs fans think of when listing off the team's next big prospects. At age 26, Andreoli isn't on MLBPipeline.com's Top 30 list for the organization, and he hasn't topped 12 homers in a season at any level of pro baseball. Andreoli has drawn attention now, however, after a stellar first-round performance for Team Italy at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The outfielder was Italy's biggest offensive force as it fell just short of the second round, batting .316 and pacing the Italians with three home runs and seven RBIs -- the second most in the tournament through first-round play behind the Netherlands' Didi Gregorius and Japan's Sho Nakata.

More than that, Andreoli came up with the big hit for Italy seemingly every time it needed one. He drove in the winning run to cap off Italy's incredible 5-run, ninth-inning rally against Mexico in the opening game -- eight innings after tying the contest with a solo homer for Italy's first run of the tournament. Two days later, Andreoli tied Italy's first game against Venezuela with an RBI single in the eighth, and he came up big again against the Venezuelans in the Pool D tiebreaker on Monday, giving his club a 2-1 lead with a solo homer in the seventh before Venezuela rallied back to win, 4-2. "That kid to me is just incredible," Italy manager Marco Mazzieri said of Andreoli. "He's so prepared, so much detail. He hustles all the time. Just a leader." Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who himself is of Polish-Italian heritage, kept an eye on Andreoli throughout the first round and said he was impressed with what he saw. "He works so hard, he cares so much," Maddon told MLB.com last week. "A few days ago, I saw him bear down in front of one of our video computers looking at pitchers he might face in this thing, this tournament." Andreoli was born in Worcester, Mass., but he has three grandparents who hailed from Italy and said he was thrilled when Mazzieri and his staff invited him to join the Italian national club in January. Though he doesn't speak Italian fluently, Andreoli's bat said plenty as he anchored Italy's lineup throughout Pool D at Estadios Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. "For our sport, this is the Olympics, sort of," Andreoli said of playing for Italy. "When you get the opportunity, as long as your body is cooperating and you can work with your affiliate club [to get permission], it's a no-brainer." The departure of Dexter Fowler to the Cardinals in free agency could create a big league opportunity for Andreoli sometime in 2017. Jon Jay and Albert Almora Jr. are expected to be the primary options in center field for the Cubs, but Andreoli, who's compiled a .771 OPS at Triple-A Iowa over the past two seasons, will be waiting in the wings should a spot open up. "We have kids who are up and they're kids," Maddon told MLB.com last week. "We have a nice group of kids who are still coming and they're being held back a little bit. So for [Andreoli] this year, it's more like Triple-A, knocking on the big league door." After a sensational WBC 2017, Andreoli is knocking even harder now. -- Cubs.com Bullpen coach Strode connects with relievers By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Bullpen coach Lester Strode is the Cubs' relievers' Most Valuable Player. They'll just never tell him that to his face. Strode, 58, is the team's longest tenured coach, entering his 11th season on the big league staff and his 29th as a member of the Cubs organization. "Every day he comes to the field, he's the same person," reliever Carl Edwards Jr. said. "He never comes in angry or upset. He always comes in with a smile on his face. As long as we put our work in and go about our business the right way, he's laid back." If the Cubs' relievers get out of line at all, Strode calls for a "pow wow." "We see him like another teammate," reliever Pedro Strop said. "We don't see him like the boss. He's part of us, he's one of us. We respect him, but we treat him as another player and just have fun.

"He's the man for us. That means a lot. He really puts out effort to help us." Then, Strop laughed. There's a wonderful chemistry between the Cubs' relief corps and Strode. Strode, a left-hander, does throw batting practice, and he's busy when the Cubs face a southpaw starter. And if the Cubs lose that game, the relievers let Strode know it's his fault. When Hector Rondon joined the Cubs after being selected in the 2012 Rule 5 Draft, Strode was the one who made him feel welcome. "Every time I struggle, he comes to me and talks to me like a friend," Rondon said. "Anything I need to know, he lets me know, and in a good way, and sometimes in a bad way, and I take it. I take it when he talks to me strong. It's like having another player in the bullpen. We try to be like family in the bullpen." The key? "Trust," Rondon said. "We trust whatever he says. If you have something on your mind about anything, you can go to him." Now, Strode did call Justin Grimm "Jason" for the first full year the right-hander was with the Cubs. Maybe that's why Grimm admits he didn't listen at first. "I'm like, 'I'm just trying to get ready, and I'm going to go try to impress some coaches,'" Grimm said. Grimm has changed. This spring, Strode stands next to the righty during his side sessions to remind Grimm to eliminate a head jerk he developed, and to keep his shoulder closed. "My fastball command has been the best it's been in my career to this point, because I'm keeping this [shoulder] closed," Grimm said. "[Pitching coach Chris Bosio] has helped out a lot, but we're always with Lester. 'Bos' gave him free rein to deal with the bullpen, and that's what he's doing." Whether it's mid-May or Game 7 of the World Series, Strode does not change his approach. The relievers have their routine -- they pelt Strode with sunflower seeds, and the razzing continues non-stop. "He's really good with mechanics, but more than that, he can spot the intricacies that each pitcher has," bullpen catcher Chad Noble said. "You see other teams, and the coach separates from the players because of the hierarchy. There is the hierarchy here, but he has everyone's respect because he keeps it pretty jovial." -- Cubs.com Underwood among 10 pitchers cut from Majors camp By Carrie Muskat PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Cubs cut 10 pitchers from big league Spring Training camp on Monday, including prospect Duane Underwood Jr., who will make his first start on Friday against the White Sox. Underwood, 22, was a second-round pick in the 2012 Draft, but has been slowed because of injuries. Cubs manager Joe Maddon's only extended look at Underwood came in a scrimmage last spring. "My impression is I want to see him," Maddon said of the club's No. 16 prospect per MLBPipeline.com. "It's in his hands -- this guy is really talented. ... He really needs to figure out that he belongs here, and he can do this. If he does, that stuff will take off, because his stuff is that good. He has to get there mentally. Physically, he has all the tools in the world."

Underwood was optioned to Double-A Tennessee, while right-handed pitchers Aaron Brooks and Jose Rosario, and lefty Jack Leathersich, were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Five non-roster invitees were assigned to Minor League camp, including right-handers Seth Frankoff, Casey Kelly, Jhondaniel Medina and Conor Mullee, and lefty Zac Rosscup. Right-handed pitcher Maikel Cleto was released, reducing the Cubs' spring roster to 50 players. Worth noting • On Sunday, Kris Bryant hit his second home run of spring, a line drive to right field. That's something the right-handed hitter has been working on. Last year, he pulled all but one of his 39 home runs to left. "He's been having good at-bats," Maddon said of the reigning National League Most Valuable Player. "He's hit some balls decently on that side of the field, but that [home run to right] was really good to see. The ball carried great. It looks like the old swing path where the plane is in order. He just looks right." • One week ago, Jason Heyward ended an 0-for-15 start to Spring Training by hitting a home run and a double in a game against the Angels. Since then, Heyward is hitless in seven at-bats. "I'm looking at how he's starting the bat, and there are more balls in the air than on the ground, there's not that rollover ground ball, which I think is a big part of the improvement," Maddon said. "I see improvement. I'm not into Spring Training performances. I like the adjustments they've been making and they're obvious to me." • Lefty reliever Brian Duensing, who came out of his last outing because of tightness in his lower back, threw off flat ground on Monday and reported no pain. His status is day to day. • Right-hander Jake Buchanan left Monday's game in the sixth inning when the Padres' Hunter Renfroe lined a ball off Buchanan's right shoulder. Buchanan left the game with an upper arm contusion, and his status is day to day. --