Cactus League games have arrived for the Cubs! Here are the latest updates from spring training.
Kris Bryant wasted no time proving his shoulder is 100%. A one-handed home run in his first spring training at-bat? Sure, why not!
Kris Bryant leaves the yard in his first AB of the spring. pic.twitter.com/Oq3R8c4pkw
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 23, 2019
Bryant then singled in his next at-bat, but what made headlines after the game were his comments. We’ve all seen the PECOTA projections for 2019, and player rankings that have Bryant listed way too far down. After four below average months of baseball, Bryant has definitely noticed some of the negativity and he’s using that for motivation.
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Kris Bryant bashes a home run in his first spring training game… then bashes his critics post game. He is using the criticism as motivation going into 2019. #KB #cubs #springtraining #wgntvnews pic.twitter.com/kTp8okm3C0
— Steve Scheuer (@Scheuer_Thing) February 23, 2019
Kris Bryant, asked if he felt slighted at all by some fan/media reaction to his offensive struggles in 2018… pic.twitter.com/MBnumzEkub
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 23, 2019
That’s my MVP!
On Sunday, Tyler Chatwood made his spring training debut and it wasn’t good.
Chatwood has fallen behind all four guys he's faced, got a quick single and then a 3-6-1 DP to start the game before a five-pitch walk and then a two-run shot to Belt. Delivery seems cleaner though!
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) February 24, 2019
Just one rough start, right?
Yet, that wasn’t even the most troubling development from Sunday’s game. Madison Bumgarner nailed David Bote in the head.
Joe Maddon Gives Update On David Bote After He Got Beaned By Madison Bumgarner
Maddon said Bote seems fine but will remain under evaluation and will be examined by Dr. Stephen Adams
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 25, 2019
Jon Lester is starting today. Here’s how the rest of the rotation is set up for the week.
After Chatwood starts tomorrow, #Cubs to go Lester, Darvish, Hamels, Hendricks, Quintana Monday-Friday, respectively.
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) February 23, 2019
Joe Maddon is following Theo Epstein’s orders and is doing a lot more hands-on coaching in camp.
We mic'd up @CubsJoeMadd at Spring Training.
Hear from the #Cubs manager himself on how he's working to get the most out of his club. pic.twitter.com/nJ96aNAgXE
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 23, 2019
Maddon, Schwarber on “opportunity” hitting: pic.twitter.com/cNxAEkWmTN
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 23, 2019
And I guess there’s now more emphasis being put on bunting.
If practice means anything the Cubs are going to be a much better bunting team. (Albert Almora) pic.twitter.com/eFomYo84sL
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 25, 2019
Hmmmm. I prefer hitting dingers, but OK.
And Maddon has his new shirt for 2019.
The “Own It Now” shirts have arrived to Cubs camp… pic.twitter.com/ZBmfXtygBJ
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 25, 2019
Oh, and Addison Russell played on Sunday and then he talked.
Russell made spring debut today. Has press conference behind him, but still going through counseling. Said today: "I think the tough stuff is pretty much out of the way, but there's still some room for growth."
Knows boos are coming: "I'm just trying to prepare myself."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 24, 2019
You know what, go back to the scripted the answers.
