--C Koyie Hill beat out veteran Paul Bako for the backup job behind reigning Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto. Hill out-hit Bako early in the Cactus League season before Bako came on at the end. However, the Cubs went with Hill over the more experienced Bako because he has been with the organization for the past two years and is familiar with most of the Cubs' pitchers and minor-leaguers coming up. Hill spent much of the past two seasons at Class AAA Iowa.
--Manager Lou Piniella called the Cubs' bullpen picture a "blanket finish." In other words, you can throw a blanket over the four contenders for two spots: RHPs Angel Guzman, Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija and David Patton. All were roughed up in the final days of the Cactus League, as was LHP Neal Cotts, who has made the team. "I don't think the bullpen situation is any more clear than it was three or four days ago," Piniella said as the Cubs left Arizona. "You ever hear of a blanket finish? It's a blanket finish."
Samardzija has minor league options, and he's likely to open the season in the rotation at Class AAA Iowa. The Cubs are trying to trade Gaudin, who has had a miserable spring. Guzman is out of options, but he's finally injury-free. Patton, a Rule 5 pick, has dazzled the Cubs all spring, even though he has not pitched above Class A. The weekend exhibition games at new Yankee Stadium will tell the story.
--RHP Kevin Gregg was named the closer for the Cubs over RHP Carlos Marmol, considered by many to be an All-Star closer in waiting. "Gregg came in here and hasn't given up a run all spring," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella. "I think leaving spring training, we're a better team the way we've put this thing together." Gregg had 29 saves last year for the Marlins.
--RHP Randy Wells and Kevin Hart were optioned to Class AAA Iowa. Both spent the bulk of last season with Iowa but also appeared with the Cubs.
--OF So Taguchi, part of championship teams with the Cardinals and the Phillies, was reassigned to the Cubs' minor league camp. He hit .256 this spring.
--LHP Mike Stanton's comeback bid ended when he was released by the Cubs on March 30. He had a 6.48 ERA in 10 spring games.
--RHP Rich Harden, slowed this spring by a stomach bug, returned to action March 30 and reported that he felt fine. However, he allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Royals.
--3B Corey Koskie called off his comeback after only three games because of concerns about post-concussion syndrome. That's a worry for the team because the Cubs had hoped the left-handed-hitting Koskie could provide some insurance at third base and as a bat off the bench.
--CF Kosuke Fukudome saw his first Cactus League action March 27 against the White Sox. He was aggressive at the plate, going 1-for-4 in his first game. He also lost a high flyball in the sun. "We've got to get him some at-bats," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's got to catch up here."
--RHP Luis Vizcaino was making a late push to secure his spot in the bullpen. Through March 27, he had made three consecutive scoreless outings and five out of six after hitting a rough patch with his control. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million with Vizcaino, whom they obtained in an offseason trade with the Rockies for RHP Jason Marquis.
--OF Brad Snyder was outrighted to Class AAA Iowa on March 27, thus removing him from the 40-man roster.
BY THE NUMBERS: 25 -- Manager Lou Piniella noted that Alfonso Soriano has run well this spring and that he'd like him to steal 20 or even 25 bases this season. Soriano was hampered by leg problems last year, and he stole 19.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "My stupidity." -- CF Kosuke Fukudome on why his batting average declined precipitously in the second half of last season.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
