Chicago Cubs Rumors & News

Mailbag: Ask Kevin Gregg

Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN Chicago — Chicago Cubs closer Kevin Gregg is going to take some questions from ESPN Chicago readers. Click here to submit a question and then check back later this week for his answers.

Cubs activate Garza from DL

Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN Chicago — PITTSBURGH -- The Chicago Cubs activated pitcher Matt Garza from the disabled list, and he will make his season debut Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Read the entire story.

Sale scratched from Wednesday's start with shoulder issue

Chicago's Inside Pitch | Daily Herald — We’re in the second inning here at U.S. Cellular Field, and the White Sox and Red Sox are scoreless. But the big news of the night came a few minutes ago, when White Sox media relations director Bob Beghtol announced ace left-hander Chris Sale has been scratched from Wednesday night’s start vs. Boston with a “mild case” of tendinitis in his posterior throwing shoulder. That doesn’t sound good, but the Sox also announced Sale will make his next scheduled start, Tuesday vs. the Cubs at the Cell. Hector Santiago will start in place of Sale Wednesday vs. Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz (6-0, 1.78 ERA). ...

Cubs activate Garza, DFA Bowden

Chicago's Inside Pitch | Daily Herald — One could argue that pitcher Michael Bowden got a raw deal and that the Cubs should have cut loose reliever Shawn Camp, but that’s not what happened today. The Cubs activated pitcher Matt Garza to start tonight’s game in Pittsburgh. To make room they designated Bowden for assignment. The Cubs also claimed right-handed reliever Eduardo Sanchez off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals. Bowden, a resident of Oswego and a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, was 1-2 with a 3.78 ERA and a WHIP of 1.14. He had 1 blown save. Camp is 1-1 with a 7.31 ERA and a WHIP of 1.75 and 2 blown saves. Sa...

Cubs claim Cardinals' relief prospect; send to Iowa

Cubs Blog | Chicago Breaking Sports — PITTSBURGH -- Minor league reliever Eduardo Sanchez, a Cardinals prospect, was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Tuesday and sent to Triple-A Iowa.    

Your Morning Phil: Francona, Axelrod, Shoulders

Cubs Blog | Chicago Breaking Sports — Talking baseball while wondering if the Blackhawks can be counter-punchers.    

Gregg putting the finish on what Cubs start

Inside the Cubs | Chicago Sun-Times — The Cubs are starting games off with a surprisingly strong rotation that figures to get even better today with Matt Garza's return. But they are finishing games off better as well since the unexpected return of Kevin Gregg. After...

Checking in on intriguing Cubs prospects

Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN Chicago — The Chicago Cubs' minor league system has enjoyed a recent resurgence in the past two years. Going from an afterthought to one of the more talked-about farm systems in the game, credit goes not only to the current front office and senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod, but also to Tim Wilken, who was in charge of a very fruitful 2011 draft and is currently a special assistant to the president and general manager. With only six weeks of results in, outside of a major injury or a complete degradation of talent, a scouting report on any minor leaguer isn't going t...

What are the implications of Garza's return?

Chicago Cubs Blog | ESPN Chicago — The return of Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza to the mound on Tuesday is a big moment for the organization. ESPNChicago.com Cubs reporters Jesse Rogers and Bruce Levine examine the implications: JR: Bruce, I'm thinking about the long-term implications of Garza's return more than the short-term. It's not like the starting staff has been bad and they're in need of a huge boost from him, although the timing is pretty good for his return considering Carlos Villanueva has been trending the wrong way.

Phil Rogers' MLB power rankings

Cubs Blog | Chicago Breaking Sports — Rangers, Cardinals hold top spots; Reds, Red Sox rise1. Rangers (1) : How good of a team do you have to be to beat the Tigers when Miguel Cabrera hits three home runs? Texas did that after putting Ian Kinsler on the DL on Sunday. Alexi Ogando is another recent addition to the DL.    

Husband absolves beer-tossing wife for Wrigley bleacher incident

Cubs Blog | Chicago Breaking Sports — Ellen Shockley, the beer-tossing wife from the left field bleachers of Wrigley Field, wanted Chicago Cubs fans to know one thing about her: She is not a serial beer tosser.    

Cubs' Castro excited family coming to Chicago

Cubs Blog | Chicago Breaking Sports — It should be calming influence on shortstop when parents, siblings arrive from Dominican this summerStarlin Castro's occasional lapses in concentration drive his manager batty.    

Garza makes long-awaited return Tuesday against Pirates

Chicago Sun-Times — The Cubs acquired Matt Garza two seasons ago in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to be an ace, and his credentials backed up that hope. At the time of his acquisition, Garza was 26. He had a 52-44 record, had thrown a no-hitter in 2010 and had been named the most valuable player of the 2008 American League Championship Series. The stakes won’t be quite as high when Garza makes his season debut Tuesday against the host Pittsburgh Pirates, but he figures to be stoked. ‘‘There will be a different energy in a major-league g...

Kevin Gregg solidifies closer role, likes makeup of Cubs

Chicago Sun-Times — The Cubs are starting games off with a surprisingly strong rotation that figures to get even better with right-hander Matt Garza’s return Tuesday. And they are finishing games off better since the unexpected return of Kevin Gregg. After shuffling the closer role among Carlos Marmol, Kyuji Fujikawa and a committee of others, manager Dale Sveum seems to have found his go-to man. ‘‘[Gregg] has been perfect [in six save opportunities],’’ Sveum said. ‘‘He’s a guy who’s been in that situation many times in his career, and he...

Husband absolves beer-tossing wife at Wrigley

Chicago Tribune — Ellen Shockley, the beer-tossing wife from the left field bleachers of Wrigley Field, wanted Chicago Cubs fans to know one thing about her: She is not a serial beer tosser.    

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