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.

Spring Training is in full force around the league and the Chicago Cubs are getting ready for some intersquad games and then some games against other teams in the next week.  Ah, it is an exciting time of the year isn’t it?

Manager Lou Piniella has said he would like to bat Fukudome in the #3 spot and then move Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez down a spon in the order. � That would make the batting order look similar to this:

1.  Alfonso Soriano
2.  Ryan Theriot
3.  Fukudome
4.  Derrek Lee
5.  Aramis Ramirez
6.  Mark DeRosa
7.  Geovany Soto
8.  Felix Pie
9.  Pitchers spot

The batting order looks pretty good to me, although Theriot is the #2 spot I’m not too sure of to be honest.

As for Mark DeRosa, he was hospitalized over the weekend with an irregular heartbeat but after being checked out and staying the night in the hospital, everyone thinks that he shouldn’t miss to much time away from the team.  He will have a few more tests done on today (Monday) and then should be back out on the field within the next few days probably.  He will be closesly monitored however.

Relief pitcher Jose Ascanio showed up with a swollen face and black eye as he was punched during an attempted robbery at a convience store in Scottsdale.  The alledge robber asked Ascanio for some money and when he replied he didn’t have any, the robber punched him in the face.

Piniella also mentioned over the weekend that batters are pretty far behind the pitchers at this point in Spring Training.  Lee and Fukudome both had their problems trying to hit off of Kerry Wood reports have said.  Lee commented on Wood’s curveball, and Fukudome had a hard time getting a hit off Wood as well.  From every report I have read so far, Wood is in very good shape and is throwing the best he has in a very long time.

We should have another updating during the middle of the week, so make sure to keep checking back!

Cubs Blog

Sorry I haven’t been able to get an update on the blog lately regarding spring training. I have been pretty busy the past week, but I’m here now, and ready to talk Cubs Baseball!

It was interesting to hear Lou Piniella say it would be a three person battle for the closers role as pitchers and catches reported.  Piniella mentioned Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster would battle it out.  Make you think what is going on as Dempster is supposed to get a look as a starter as well.  Then out of nowhere yesterday, Piniella said that Bob Howry would be the closer if the season started today.  Lol, does anyone know what is going on with the closers role?!

I thought it was pretty funny that Carlos Zambrano was wearing Fukudome’s jersey as the Japanese reported to spring training.  After playing with Fukudome for a little bit, Big Z then gave him his jersey as they all had a good laugh.  Gotta love a little joking around to keep the players lose.

As far as the starting rotation, it looks like the Cubs will be going with something like this:

1.  Carlos Zamrano
2.  Ted Lilly
3.  Open
4.  Rich Hill
5.  Open

Piniella really wants to split up the lefthanders Lilly and Hill.  I would probably pencil in Jon Leiber or Jason Marquis into that #3 spot and then the other in the #5 spot.  Leaving out Sean Marshall unless Piniella wants to have back to back lefties in the #4 and #5 spots.

How do you all feel with the pitchers?  What is the best rotation Lou can set up?  What is the best option for closer at this point?  Leave us a comment and let us know your opinion!

Pretty much what everyone was expecting will happen during spring training.  Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster will all battle it out for the closers role for the Chicago Cubs.  I would hope that either Wood or Marmol are the closer, with the other guy being the setup man.  I don’t want Dempster anywhere near the mound for the Chicago Cubs.

Who do you want to be the closer for the Chicago Cubs? Leave a commend and let us know!

There has been another prediction from a Cubs pitcher at the beginning of Spring Training.  Last year Carlos Zambrano said he would win the Cy Young award and the Cubs would win the World Series.  Well of course neither of those things happened.  And now this year, on the first day of that pitchers and catchers reported, Ryan Dempster said the Cubs will end the 100 year draught and win the World Series.

As I read that, I just think what in the hell are you talking about Dempster?  The team would be better off without you on the roster in my opinion.  I do wish Dempster the best as he is still with the Cubs, but c’mon how many fans out there can really say they want Dempster on the team this year?  I suggest he get some control of the ball and actually help this team out in the beginning of the season, and stop saying the Cubs will win the world series.

Cubs fans, what do you think about Dempsters comments?  Good to be thinking that way?  Or would you rather just have him be quite and get ready for the season?