The Chicago Cubs made a round of roster cuts today to get their spring training roster down to 50.  The two most notable players to be send down were Tyler Colvin and Billy Petrick. Petrick was sent to Triple A Iowa, while Colvin was sent to minor league camp.

Other players sent to the minor league camp included Esmailin Caridad, Jose Ceda, Geoff Jones, Andres Torres, Bobby Scales, Wellington Castillo, and Josh Donaldson.

With the moves, the Cubs’ spring roster now is 50, and consists of 26 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and eight outfielders. 

The Chicago Cubs lost their first game in Cactus League action on Friday as the San Francisco Giants used some late inning runs to get by the Cubs 8-6.  It was a split squad team for the Giants as well so they didn’t have all of their regulars.

Carlos Zambrano pitched two innings for the Cubs.  He gave up one run, two hits, and struckout two batters in his two innings of work. � Big Z did have some trouble fielding a bunt and received and error on the play as well.  Nothing to worry about with Zambrano.  We all know he will be ready for opening day.

As far as the Cubs hitters, Kosuke Fukudome continies to get on base and draw walks.  He drew another two walks and scored two runs on Friday.

What hurt the Cubs in the game was Les Walrond giving up a grand slam to Ryan Rohlinger in the 8th inning.  That pretty much sealed the deal for the Giants.

We will try to have an update this weekend on how the Cubs do, but it could be on Monday as we have a lot of things happening this weekend.  Either way, GO CUBS!

The Chicago Cubs are 1-0 in Cactus League play as they defeated the San Francisco Giants 12-6.  The Cubs got off to a fast start as they jumped out to a 8-0 lead after only three innings of play.

Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot both had good days hitting the ball.  Fontenot hit a pitchit three run homer and Theriot reached base three times and scored all three times. � Felix Pie also had a pretty good game as he hit a home run and also took a walk in the game.

Kosuke Fukudome was hit by a pitch in his first at bat and then later singled and drew a walk to reach base all three times.

The Cubs face a split squad of Giants again on Friday, this time at Mesa’s HoHoKam Park. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will oppose Giants left-hander Jonathan Sanchez.

Cubs infielder Mark DeRosa has flown back to Chicago so they can run some more tests on his heart as he suffered an irregular heartbeat on Saturday while taking groundballs.  DeRosa says there is a possibility that he could have an out-patient surgery to take care of the problem.  He would rather do that then take medication for the problem.

We will keep you updated on the situation if we hear anything more.