Cubs | Rafael Dolis out as closer

Sun, 27 May 2012 10:03:18 -0700

Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum has announced that RP Rafael Dolis will no longer be the team's closer and will serve as a middle reliever for the immediate future. Dolis walked two batters against the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday, May 26, and hit 1B Matt Hague to force in the winning run. RPs Shawn Camp and James Russell appear to be in line to get some save opportunities, along with RP Carlos Marmol (back), who is expected to be activated from the disabled list Monday, May 28, or Tuesday, May 29.

Fantasy Tip: Marmol's impending return complicates this picture. If he shows vast improvement out of the gate - especially in throwing strikes - he could get his job back sooner rather than later. He's a solid bet to retake the reins at some point and as a long-term play should be scooped up everywhere. Caution: You may miss out on at least a few closures in the near future.

Being a right-hander, Camp will probably see most of the short-term opportunities. He's not a flame-thrower, but he's crafty and throws strikes, the latter an important trait of Sveum's desired stopper. The southpaw Russell is still worth owning as a fantasy backup plan, but Sveum's hesitance to use him previously in tandem with Dolis, even in matchup situations, raises questions about how often he'd be deployed.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Chicago Tribune - Paul Sullivan

Cubs | Ryan Dempster suffers loss Friday

Sat, 26 May 2012 11:03:05 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (0-3) allowed one run on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings in a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, May 25, with one walk and six strikeouts. He has not recorded a victory since last August, despite posting a 2.14 ERA this season.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Carlos Marmol could join team soon

Fri, 25 May 2012 16:59:50 -0700

Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol (hamstring) could rejoin the team Monday, May 28, after making rehab appearances for Triple-A Iowa Friday, May 25, and Sunday, May 27.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Carrie Muskat

Cubs | Starlin Castro moved up in lineup

Fri, 25 May 2012 16:32:52 -0700

The Chicago Cubs moved SS Starlin Castro to second in the batting order Friday, May 25, after having him bat third in every game this season.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPNChicago.com - Doug Padilla

Cubs | Ian Stewart scratched from lineup

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:58:49 -0700

Chicago Cubs 3B Ian Stewart (wrist) was scratched from the starting lineup Friday, May 25, because of soreness in his left wrist.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Carrie Muskat

Cubs | May not be calling Anthony Rizzo up soon

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:23:44 -0700

The Chicago Cubs may wait until at least June 23 to call up 1B Anthony Rizzo from Triple-A Iowa because it would not count as a full year of service in the major leagues if they added him after that date.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: CBSSports.com - Jon Heyman

Cubs | Bryan LaHair coming back to Earth

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:21:53 -0700

Chicago Cubs 1B Bryan LaHair is 1-for-14 over the last seven days. He's also hitting just .095 (2-for-21) against left-handed pitching this season.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: KFFL.com

Cubs | Diory Hernandez signed

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:17:34 -0700

The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent IF Diory Hernandez (Astros) to a minor league contract.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Baseball America - Matt Eddy

Cubs | Brett Jackson struggling

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:01:36 -0700

Chicago Cubs OF Brett Jackson is hitting .235 with four homers, 14 RBIs and seven steals in 166 at-bats at Triple-A Iowa.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: KFFL.com

Cubs | Carlos Marmol throws simulated game

Thu, 24 May 2012 06:03:35 -0700

Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol (hamstring) threw a simulated game Wednesday, May 23, and could pitch for Triple-A Iowa Friday, May 25.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Stressing development with Anthony Rizzo

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:57:31 -0700

Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said that 1B Anthony Rizzo's development was the main factor in their decision to keep him at Triple-A Iowa, and not restarting his arbitration clock. Hoyer noted that he brought him up too early last season when both were with the San Diego Padres. "Patience is the key driver in our decision making," Hoyer said. "Last year the situation was nearly identical - struggling offense and Rizzo putting up huge numbers in Tucson. Clearly I made the wrong decision in bringing him up too early. His development was not complete.''

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Chicago Tribune - Phil Rogers

Cubs | Welington Castillo to DL

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:38:21 -0700

The Chicago Cubs placed C Welington Castillo (knee) on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee Tuesday, May 22, and recalled SP Travis Wood in a corresponding move. Castillo's DL stint is retroactive to May 19.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Sports Network

Cubs | Starlin Castro not drawing free passes

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:28:06 -0700

Chicago Cubs SS Starlin Castro has only four walks on the year and eight errors in the field.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPN - Buster Olney

Cubs | Travis Wood starting Tuesday

Tue, 22 May 2012 06:14:02 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Travis Wood will come up from Triple-A Iowa to start Tuesday, May 22, against the Houston Astros.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Matt Garza has worst start of season

Tue, 22 May 2012 05:58:46 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Matt Garza allowed a season-high seven runs in three innings in easily his worst start of the season Monday, May 21. "I left everything up," Garza said. "I was overthrowing everything."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Brian Esposito signed

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:17:17 -0700

The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent C Brian Esposito (Reds) to a minor league deal Sunday, May 20.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: CBSSports.com

Cubs | To consider Anthony Rizzo's promotion

Mon, 21 May 2012 07:09:21 -0700

Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum said it's time to start considering promoting 1B Anthony Rizzo from Triple-A Iowa. "That's definitely going to be talked about," Sveum said. "He's done everything he can down there. But once again, when you bring somebody up like that, he has to play every day."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Chicago Tribune - Paul Sullivan

Cubs | Two to begin rehab assignments

Mon, 21 May 2012 05:47:55 -0700

Chicago Cubs RP Carlos Marmol (hamstring) and C Steve Clevenger (oblique) will begin rehab assignments at Triple-A Iowa Monday, May 21.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Ryan Dempster suffers loss Saturday

Sun, 20 May 2012 11:59:24 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Ryan Dempster (0-2) allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings in a loss to the Chicago White Sox Saturday, May 19, with three walks and three strikeouts.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Alfonso Soriano dealing with knee pain

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:10:52 -0700

Chicago Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano (knee) said Saturday, May 19, that the pain in his left knee is still enough to where he might have a second surgery.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Gordon Wittenmyer

Cubs | Blake Parker has hamstring injury

Sat, 19 May 2012 20:46:24 -0700

Chicago Cubs RP Blake Parker (hamstring) left his appearance Saturday, May 19, against the Chicago White Sox due to tightness in his right hamstring. He will be re-evaluated Sunday, May 20.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Carrie Muskat

Cubs | Welington Castillo to be re-examined Tuesday

Sat, 19 May 2012 19:34:21 -0700

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs C Welington Castillo (knee) will be re-examined Tuesday, May 22.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPNChicago.com - Doug Padilla

Cubs | Blake Lalli's stay won't be long

Sat, 19 May 2012 19:33:50 -0700

Chicago Cubs C Blake Lalli is expected to be sent back down to Triple-A Iowa sometime in late May when C Steve Clevenger (oblique, rib) is healthy enough to return.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPNChicago.com - Doug Padilla

Cubs | Rehab assignment for Steve Clevenger nears

Sat, 19 May 2012 19:33:17 -0700

Chicago Cubs C Steve Clevenger (oblique, rib) is expected to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime next week. The assignment is expected last six to seven days.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPNChicago.com - Doug Padilla

Cubs | Welington Castillo has sprained MCL

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:59:47 -0700

An MRI exam revealed that Chicago Cubs C Welington Castillo (knee) has a mild MCL sprain in his right knee. He is expected to be sidelined for four to seven days.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Daily Herald - Bruce Miles

Cubs | Randy Wells recalled

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:46:47 -0700

The Chicago Cubs have recalled RP Randy Wells from Triple-A Iowa to fill the vacancy on the 25-man roster created by the retirement of RP Kerry Wood.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Chicago Tribune - Paul Sullivan

Cubs | Koyie Hill acquired from Cincinnati

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:49:21 -0700

The Chicago Cubs have acquired C Koyie Hill from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for cash considerations. He will join the parent club in time for their game against the Chicago White Sox Saturday, May 19.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Carrie Muskat

Cubs | David DeJesus working on 10-game hitting streak

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:51:57 -0700

Chicago Cubs OF David DeJesus went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored Friday, May 18, against the Chicago White Sox, pushing his hitting streak to a season-high 10 games. He is tied with Atlanta Braves OF Martin Prado for the longest active run in the National League.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: KFFL.com

Cubs | Jeff Samardzija fans eight in no-decision

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:37:50 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jeff Samardzija allowed six hits and three runs while walking two and striking out eight in 7 1/3 frames in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox Friday, May 18.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Associated Press

Cubs | Kerry Wood calls it quits

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:22:52 -0700

Chicago Cubs RP Kerry Wood officially retired after his outing against the Chicago White Sox Friday, May 18, striking out OF Dayan Viciedo and then departing the game to a standing ovation. "You know it was just time, time to give someone else a chance," Wood said.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: ESPNChicago.com