The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers opened up Cactus League play on Wednesday afternoon as both teams got their 2009 season under way. Micah Hoffpauir led the Cubs has he hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to give the Cubs the lead for good.

The Chicago Cubs will kick off the 2009 Spring Training season on Wednesday afternoon when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at HoHoKam Park. Jeff Samardzija will get the start and is expected to throw two innings before Mitch Atkins takes over from there.

The Chicago Cubs continue doing workouts down in Mesa, Arizona as they look forward to the 2009 season. All players have reported to camp besides Kosuke Fukudome who will report after the World Baseball Classic. We blog a little bit about what has taken place so far.

The Chicago Cubs have made a trade for the second time on Monday as they have now sent relief pitcher Michael Wuertz to the Oakland Athletics for two minor league players. The Cubs received outfielder Rich Robnett and infielder Justin Sellers in the deal.