February 27, 2018

Daily Herald, Chicago Cubs look to make a run at smart, assertive baserunning http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180226/chicago-cubs-look-to-make-a-run-at-smart-assertive-baserunning

The Athletic, Tyler Chatwood's early trouble with the curve no cause for concern https://theathletic.com/254771/2018/02/26/tyler-chatwoods-early-trouble-with-the-curve-no-cause-for-concern/

The Athletic, Cubs’ rotation might be baseball’s best, but how does it compare to 2016 staff? https://theathletic.com/253652/2018/02/26/cubs-rotation-might-be-baseballs-best-but-how-does-it-compare-to-2016-staff/

Cubs.com, Schwarber feeling lighter ... without knee brace https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-kyle-schwarber-focused-on-outfield-play/c-267272896

Cubs.com, Cubs seek return to World Series in '18 https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-eye-world-series-return-in-18/c-267200822

Cubs.com, Chatwood pleased with spring debut for Cubs https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/tyler-chatwood-enjoys-spring-debut-for-cubs/c-267330822

Cubs.com, Cubs aim to create new masterpiece this year https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-out-to-make-2018-campaign-a-work-of-art/c-267262158

Cubs.com, Williams' quiet consistency led to HOF career https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/billy-williams-consistency-led-to-hof-career/c-267261378

ESPNChicago.com, Kyle Hendricks continues evolution from soft-tossing new guy to Cubs' go-to guy http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/46461/kyle-hendricks-continues-evolution-from-soft-tossing-new-guy-to-cubs-go-to-guy

NBC Sports Chicago, Three questions answered — and three questions unanswered — through a couple weeks of Cubs spring training http://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/three-questions-answered-and-three-questions-unanswered-through-couple-weeks-cubs-spring-training

Chicago Tribune, Cubs' Kris Bryant wants to take a simpler approach to hitting this season http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-kris-bryant-hitting-20180226-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Jon Lester to receive special 'Game Model' glove from Wilson http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-jon-lester-glove-20180227-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Nervous Tyler Chatwood gets job done in spring debut with Cubs http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-tyler-chatwood-nerves-debut-20180226-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Monday's recap: Cubs 9, Mariners 9 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-mariners-recap-20180226-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Dillon Maples isn't consumed by the Cubs' numbers game: 'I know what I'm capable of' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-dillon-maples-20180226-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Brandon Hyde replaces Dave Martinez as Joe Maddon's wing man http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-joe-maddon-brandon-hyde-sullivan-20180226-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, How Willson Contreras could become the Cubs’ next serious MVP candidate https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/how-willson-contreras-could-become-the-cubs-next-serious-mvp-candidate/

Chicago Sun-Times, Line drive knocks Mariners ace Felix Hernandez out of Cubs-M’s game https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/line-drive-knocks-mariners-ace-felix-hernandez-out-of-cubs-ms-game/

Chicago Sun-Times, Can Kyle Schwarber’s glove play big enough to earn him more time at the plate? https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/can-kyle-schwarbers-glove-play-big-enough-to-earn-him-more-time-at-the-plate/

-- Daily Herald Chicago Cubs look to make a run at smart, assertive baserunning By Bruce Miles MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs are not going to become a swashbuckling, basestealing team anytime soon. That's even with Kyle Schwarber's 2 stolen bases in one inning Sunday. "It's not a big goal," Schwarber said with a smile Monday. "Situation dictated it." But there is one thing the Cubs are trying to do, and that's become a good baserunning team. You don't have to steal a lot of bases or even possess a lot of speed to accomplish that.

Manager Joe Maddon was happy that the slimmer and trimmer Schwarber was able to nab a couple of bags. He also seems satisfied with the baserunning as a whole in the early going. "Obviously you can see that he does look better, that he is running better, he is moving better," Maddon said. "I just like the assertiveness on the bases in general. How about the scoring of the run (Sunday) by (Mike) Freeman? Great job by him. Great job by the third-base coach. You can't do those kinds of things unless you get good secondary leads and you have that in your mind to begin with. "And I really appreciated that about that with Mike. I let him know that." In addition to crediting the runners, Maddon also has sung the praises of new third-base coach Brian Butterfield, who has been a vocal and demonstrative presence in camp regarding baserunning. "I talked to Butter about it; it's one of those things that you want to be able to do during the course of the season but you can't do it unless the runner gives you a chance to do it. If the runner does not come at you hard, if he doesn't get a good secondary (lead), if he doesn't do that, it can't happen. That's something that goes beyond data. That's good old-fashioned horse sense, baseball horse sense." Schwarber also had good words for Butterfield, who came to the Cubs last fall from the Boston Red Sox. "Butter's doing a really good job with all of us," Schwarber said. "He's really good at breaking things down and really explaining why, what our focus needs to be out there. It's like he's on the bases, too, with us when he's at third base. Just the short time that we've had him, he's definitely made an impact on our baserunning." Debut for the new guy: Tyler Chatwood, the Cubs' No. 5 starting pitcher, made his Cactus League debut Monday. He threw 12 pitches, 8 strikes, in the first inning before exiting. Speedy Dee Gordon reached on Addison Russell's throwing error leading off. Russell rushed the throw. After a sacrifice bunt and a single, Chatwood ended the inning by getting former Cub Junior Lake to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. "It was awesome," said Chatwood, who signed a free-agent deal with the Cubs in the off-season after pitching for the Rockies. "I was nervous. I'm not going to lie to you. The different uniform for the first time in awhile. It was nerve-wracking a little bit. Once I got out there and threw the first pitch, I was good. And just try to throw strikes and get outs. So that was my focus. But it was definitely exciting to be a part of that now." Scary moment: Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez was hit on the upper right forearm by a line drive Monday off the bat of Cubs catcher Victor Caratini in the second inning. Hernandez grabbed his arm in pain and left the game. A Mariners spokesman said Hernandez was being taken back to the team's spring facility to determine if X-rays or further tests were needed. Bryant out: Third baseman Kris Bryant was a late lineup scratch because of illness. The Cubs expect him back in camp Tuesday. --

The Athletic Tyler Chatwood's early trouble with the curve no cause for concern By Sahadev Sharma MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs brought Tyler Chatwood into the fold this winter with the belief that getting away from Coors Field would allow him to utilize his impressive curveball more frequently. But 12 pitches, 11 of which were either four- or two-seam fastballs, in his one-inning stint to open his spring season wasn’t really the ideal opportunity to do so. “That was my plan today,” Chatwood said when asked if he’d use more curves in future spring outings. “You go in there trying to work on something, but when the situation dictates to get outs, you work on that. The competitive side takes over. But that’s definitely the plan. Use a lot more curveballs and changeups this spring.” Chatwood’s curveball elicits excitement out of the Cubs brass due to its tantalizing potential. He used it around 10.6 percent of the time last season and struggled to find any consistency with it while in Colorado in a mile-high atmosphere notorious for sapping breaking balls of their effectiveness. Of pitchers who have thrown at least 300 curveballs combined in 2016 and 2017, Chatwood’s average spin rate on the pitch of 2,953 RPM ranks fifth in baseball. Studies show that more spin on a curveball leads to more movement and also increases the chances of getting a ground ball on the pitch. “It’s a feel pitch, so you have to find your release point,” Chatwood recently said. “Where you want it for a strike, where you want it to bounce it. I’ve been able to do that pretty consistently on the side. Once you have the adrenaline and a hitter in there, you want to be able to still control it and land it for a strike or bounce it when you need to.” Chatwood threw the pitch just once on Monday and gave up a well-struck single on it. Chatwood said he’d started that at-bat off with a high fastball and hoped to come back with a curve to make Cameron Perkins swing over it. However, the righty left the curve too far up and Perkins was able to get the barrel of the bat on the pitch. The concept Chatwood is talking about here is often referred to as tunneling. The high fastball paired with the curveball is a trend in baseball that’s gained a lot of traction of late. The idea is that both look like they’re headed for the same area: the upper part of the zone. Both require a significant amount of spin to pull off properly and Chatwood certainly has that ability. The high fastball, with either high spin rate or elite velocity (sometimes both), is a tantalizing pitch that’s hard to lay off and even harder to make contact with. Pair it with a curveball that’s coming out of the same arm slot and looks like it’s headed for a similar location because it travels on the same path – or tunnel – at first and you can often make a hitter look foolish as they swing over the pitch. Chatwood did manage to keep the ball on the ground during his limited time on the mound, including ending his day with a 4-6-3 double play turned by Javy Báez and Addison Russell. That’s surely a sight he won’t get tired of seeing and a duo he’ll quickly grow to appreciate. Chatwood has a 57.2 percent ground ball rate as a starter the last two seasons, fifth-best in baseball for starters with at least 200 innings pitched during that span. “That’s something I’ve been able to do throughout my career,” Chatwood said. “Any time there’s traffic on, I feel like I’m always one pitch away. Two-seam that jammed a little bit and Javy turned it with Addison. It was nice.”

Prior to his start, Chatwood said outside of establishing his fastball command and trying to gain confidence with his changeup and curve, he wanted to be able to feel the adrenaline of game action and be able to control that along with his pitches. “I was nervous. I’m not going to lie,” Chatwood said. “A different uniform for the first time in a while. It was nerve-wracking a little bit. But once I got out there and threw the first pitch, it was all good. “I always get butterflies anytime I go out to pitch. But today I had a lot of time to sit in there by myself while the guys were out there practicing. I was a little nervous, but excited as well.” Chatwood will likely get those butterflies again in a little over a month when he makes his Cubs debut at Wrigley Field at some point in April. The ability to control those emotions, which Chatwood has had years to learn how to do, will only make him a better pitcher. “I don’t care how much work you’ve done mechanically, if you’re not in control of your emotions, you’re going to be too quick,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Your mind starts working too quickly then your body starts moving too quickly and the body is ahead of the arm. Whenever you get quick, you don’t see nearly as well. You can’t really see with that fine-tuned vision that you need. So when you’re not breathing properly, your body works too quickly, so your mechanics get off and you’re not going to be throwing the ball where you want.” Chatwood will have plenty of time to work on his curveball and change. And if the talented righty can breathe, spin that curve and live up to what many believe he can be, he may find himself getting the opportunity to feel those butterflies for the first time in October. -- The Athletic Cubs’ rotation might be baseball’s best, but how does it compare to 2016 staff? By Sahadev Sharma MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs will unleash one of their top five starters for the first time this spring Monday when Tyler Chatwood takes the Sloan Field mound against the Seattle Mariners. Through about two weeks of camp, there’s been a lot of chatter regarding just how good this staff can be. “Starting pitching-wise, it’s a very talented group,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We’ve had some good ones, and I think this one through five has a chance to exceed what’s happened the last couple years.” It’s understandable for people to be high on this group. The addition of Chatwood — who many believe could be in for a big season now that he’s away from Coors Field — and Yu Darvish makes it easy to see why so many believe this could be the best Cubs rotation in the Maddon era. While the Cubs get a lot of credit for their ability to draft and develop position players, their pro scouting department deserves plenty of kudos for pursuing the right starting pitchers via trade and free agency. “We haven’t done a great job developing homegrown pitching,” team president Theo Epstein recently said. “It’s something we hope to improve. But we’ve had the best pitching in baseball the last three years. And now you look at our starting five and we can’t be happier with this group. We gotta go out and do it, but what a pitching staff to put with this position player group.”

From 2015-2017, the Cubs had an MLB-best 3.49 ERA. If we focus on just the starters, the Cubs remain at the top with a 3.44 ERA. Expectations are just as high for this staff, but can this group be as impressive as the one that helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016? “This one’s gotta be up at the top, or close to it,” Kyle Hendricks said. “In ’16, I know the things we were able to do were pretty close to somewhat historical. We don’t focus on those things necessarily. The guys we were able to add, Chatwood and Darvish, they’re awesome guys. They fit in perfectly into this environment and we’ve already started with the friendly competition. I think that’s what makes everyone better. It’s kind of what we had in ’16. You can feel it already. Just two really awesome dudes and solid starting pitchers. We get another ace in Darvish and I think Chatwood is going to surprise a lot of people this year.” Leave it to Hendricks to make some very salient points. First off, let’s take a look at what’s different about this staff from the 2016 staff. That group had Jon Lester and Hendricks finishing second and third, respectively, in Cy Young voting. Both delivered career bests in ERA and Hendricks far and away had his best season to date. They’re the only holdovers from two seasons ago. Darvish, Chatwood and Quintana replace Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Jason Hammel. Arrieta posted a 3.8 WAR (according to FanGraphs) that season. Darvish has topped that twice in his career and come within a negligible amount (3.7 and the 3.5 he posted last season) two other times. The ZiPs projection system has him at 4.3 WAR next season. Let’s be conservative and say as far as value goes, the two are equal. Quintana feels like a pretty good bet to be better than Lackey, who posted a 3.1 WAR in 2016. Quintana has topped that number in each of the last five seasons and ZiPs has him projected for a very impressive 4.9 WAR. Jason Hammel accounted for 1.5 WAR in 2016, Chatwood is projected for 1.7 according to ZiPs and has generally hovered around that mark for his career. Like Darvish and Arrieta, let’s call this a wash. And could we expect Lester and Hendricks to top or even match their 2016s? That feels like a stretch, particularly with Lester. The 34-year-old, 12-year veteran very likely could bounce back from a rough 2017, but trying to match 2016 would be difficult. ZiPs has him at 3.4 WAR, a full win short of his 2016 mark. Hendricks is projected for 3.0 WAR, 1.5 wins below his 2016 mark. So just on ERA and WAR alone, it would be hard for this group to equal what the 2016 staff accomplished. And as Hendricks said, that staff was “somewhat historical.” Those numbers are rather breathtaking. It’s also important to note that a team being so strong in both LOB% and BABIP is usually a sign of really good luck or exceptional defense. The 2016 Cubs had both. The defense playing behind those pitchers posted the best defensive runs saved (DRS) since the stat was adopted (2001) and the best park-adjusted defensive efficiency (PADE) ever. Knowing that, suddenly it becomes easy to understand why matching the 2016 group is a near-impossible feat. But make no mistake, this group has a chance to be the best rotation in baseball. Chatwood has legitimate breakout potential and the Cubs believe they’ll be able to help Darvish utilize his vast arsenal better than he has in the recent past. It’s very unlikely Lester matches 2016, but an improvement from last year is completely reasonable. And the same should be said for Hendricks. Quintana may be the key to it all. A season of not having to worry about being traded with a spring training not interrupted by the World Baseball Classic should help him get right back to the consistent,

top-of-the-rotation performer he’s been for much of his career. And perhaps pitching in the National League in front of an elite defense will help him put up even better numbers than he ever has before. This Cubs rotation is arguably more gifted than the group that won the World Series. They’re certainly capable of matching those five in nearly all categories. But that group's combination of great pitching and elite defense added up to historically great hit prevention and run suppression. That will be hard to match. All that really matters, though, is whether these five can bring the Cubs another World Series, and they certainly have the talent to make it happen. -- Cubs.com Schwarber feeling lighter ... without knee brace By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Kyle Schwarber feels as if he lost a ton of weight and it has nothing to do with his offseason diet. The Cubs outfielder no longer has to wear the bulky brace to protect his left knee, which he had worn since he underwent surgery to repair two torn ligaments suffered in the third game of the 2016 season. "It's funny, because you don't think it has a big effect on yourself when you put it on, but when you take it off, it really does feel different and makes you feel more mobile and less restricted," Schwarber said Monday. "The knee's stable now. It's just more of a precautionary thing in case that same collision happens, but that was a freak accident and happens maybe once a year to every team. Just be cautious out there and be aware, but play hard." Schwarber, who lost more than 20 pounds this offseason after a change in his eating habits, asked the Cubs' medical staff at the end of last season if he could ditch the brace. "They said, 'You're good to go,'" he said. The focus now is becoming a better outfielder. "I want to go out there and make the plays I'm supposed to make," Schwarber said. "That's my thing right now. I'll keep working with these guys." Since he arrived in camp, Schwarber has been asked if he feels different after losing the weight. "I feel good out there," he said. "Having our group of outfielders there and having [coach Will Venable] and [outfield coach Doug Dascenzo] out there now, everything's going really well. Being able to work with these guys, it definitely helps." Now, it's a matter of Schwarber improving his technique to get to balls quicker. Manager Joe Maddon has seen a difference. "I watch him on the bases, and it seems everything moves more easily," Maddon said. "Having said that, I never thought he was slow. I always thought he moved well for a big man. I think all of this is going to help. When you mentally do what he did, it's like you deserve to do better. He's going to be better because of the work he did, plus the information he's received."

Schwarber is keeping the knee brace in his locker. He'll need it if he catches again. He's considered the No. 3 catcher and has caught at least one bullpen session so far this spring. "I snuck in there once -- just in case for an emergency situation," Schwarber said. "I want to keep the hands fresh and eyes fresh back there. It's not every day, go back there [with the catchers], sneak in, and then run out to the outfield. Outfield -- I want [that] to be the primary focus. "I want to be really good out there, and in case a situation does come up where Skip -- he loves to do double switches and everything, or if someone gets hurt, or we double switch and for some reason Willson [Contreras] has to come out of the game, I can be back there, too," Schwarber said. -- Cubs.com Cubs seek return to World Series in '18 By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Joe Maddon is trying to emphasize the art of the game this spring, and he has introduced paintings that are creative versions of the Mona Lisa, Einstein, Salvador Dali and Michaelangelo's David with his messages on them. If artwork can help the Cubs get to the postseason again, it will all make sense. In Maddon's first three seasons with the Cubs, he's led them to the postseason each year. But instead of leaving things as they are, Maddon added some new coaches, including Jim Hickey (pitching), Chili Davis (hitting) and Brian Butterfield (infield). What's been invigorating this spring is the vibe. "You can feel it -- you can feel the confidence, you can feel they're ready," Maddon said. "The sense of team is outstanding. We did not like the way last year ended." Last season ended with a loss in the National League Championship Series to the Dodgers as the Cubs fell short in their bid to repeat as World Series champs. They've got other plans regarding this season. What's the goal? It's pretty simple. After winning their first World Series in 108 years in 2016, the Cubs want to do it again. They've reached the NLCS three years in a row, and their three straight trips to the postseason mark the first time in franchise history since 1906-08. What they need to avoid is a slow start. The Cubs were 5 1/2 games behind the Brewers at the All-Star break last year and needed a strong surge to win the division again. They can't use a World Series hangover as an excuse this time. "It's definitely different and a good feeling, a good hungry feeling," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said of camp this year. "Last year was coming off a major high. This year, everyone is focused and locked in early and shifting our focus to getting off to a good start because we know how important that is." What's the plan? Most of the young talent that achieved that championship is still on the roster, including Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez. What the Cubs needed to do this offseason was fill in some gaps regarding the pitching. They didn't have to deal any of the young position players and signed free agents, including starters Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood and closer Brandon Morrow. Other additions to the bullpen include Steve Cishek. They're looking forward to having Jose Quintana and Justin Wilson for a full season. Both were acquired at the Trade Deadline last year.

What could go wrong? Last season, the Cubs realized how little pitching depth they had, particularly starting pitching. Jon Lester, 34, is heading into the second half of his six-year contract. He missed time last year because of shoulder fatigue. Darvish has pitched seven games against NL Central teams. Can he handle the switch to the NL full time? Chatwood didn't fare as well at home with the Rockies as he did on the road. Was the problem Coors Field? And do the Cubs have enough depth if one of their starters gets hurt? The Cubs are looking at their backup options regarding position players, too. Who might surprise? Albert Almora Jr. is hoping to become more of an everyday player in center field. He batted .342 against left-handed pitching last season, and would like more at-bats against righties. Russell is coming off an injury-filled season and hoping to provide the power and RBI numbers that he did in 2016, when he hit 21 homers and drove in 95 runs. -- Cubs.com Chatwood pleased with spring debut for Cubs By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Tyler Chatwood always gets butterflies before he starts, but he had a little more anxiety than normal prior to Monday's game, which was his Cubs debut. "I was nervous, I'm not going to lie," the right-hander said after throwing 12 pitches over one inning in a 9-9 tie against the Mariners. "It was a different uniform for the first time in a while so it was nerve-wracking a little bit. "Once I threw the first pitch, I was good. I tried to just get outs, throw strikes and get outs. It was definitely exciting to get out there." Chatwood is one of four new pitchers expected on the Cubs' 25-man roster and the first of the projected starters to make his appearance in a Cactus League game. It did not begin well. Dee Gordon reached on a throwing error by shortstop Addison Russell to start the game and then moved up on Andrew Romine's sacrifice against Chatwood. Cameron Perkins singled, but Chatwood got Junior Lake to ground into a double play and end the inning. He threw 12 pitches (eight strikes). Romine and Chatwood chatted before the outing. "I don't think I was expecting a bunt," Chatwood said. "I talked to Andrew right before that and he said, 'Give me one pitch down the middle' and decided to bunt it. I was trying to get ahead, but I wasn't expecting a bunt." Chatwood will incorporate more curveballs and changeups in his next outing. "It's fun to get back out there and see hitters in the box who aren't your guys," said Chatwood, who has had an easy transition from the Rockies to the Cubs, thanks to Kyle Hendricks, who was Chatwood's teammate on a high school travel team. Power surge Taylor Davis hit a solo home run and Mike Freeman smacked a tying two-run shot in the ninth against the Mariners in front of 10,021 at Sloan Park.

Chicago scored five runs in the eighth to pull within two at 9-7. Bijan Rademacher and Freeman each hit RBI singles. Mark Zagunis was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Charcer Burks was plunked to force in a run. David Bote added an RBI single and another run scored on a sacrifice fly by Chesny Young, which the right fielder dropped for an error. Spin zone How do some players use all the statistical data available to them? Brandon Morrow actually used spin rate to help him against the Cubs in the National League Championship Series last year. "I don't think it helps anything looking at my own spin rates, but I used it scouting," said Morrow, who was the Dodgers' setup reliever in 2017. "When we played the Cubs, I said, 'Give me two or three guys who they faced a lot with fastball characteristics similar to mine. Similar velocity, similiar spin rate.' The ball's playing the same, they're seeing it the same." So, the Dodgers gave Morrow some video of the Cubs' batters facing the Brewers' Corey Knebel as well as some other pitchers. "It wasn't just, 'Hey, watch this guy,'" Morrow said. "They gave me the numbers and comparisons -- he throws this fastball 'x' velocity and 'x' spin rate, and mine's this and this, and you can see how similar it is." The approach worked. Morrow pitched in four of the give games and gave up one hit to the Cubs batters over 4 2/3 innings while striking out seven of the 16 batters he faced. First impressions Some of the young pitchers in camp have made a good impression so far. Manager Joe Maddon included Oscar De La Cruz, ranked as the club's the No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, as well as Duane Underwood and David Garner. "We don't normally get young, good arms here, since I've been here, and I think you're seeing more young, good arms," Maddon said. Injury update Third baseman Kris Bryant was scratched from Monday's lineup because he was ill. His status is day to day. Ben Zobrist, who has been battling back issues since arriving to camp, was able to take batting practice on Monday. His status also is day to day. Camp battles It was Albert Almora Jr.'s turn to lead off on Monday and he went 0-for-2. So far, he and Ian Happ have shared the No. 1 spot in the lineup as the Cubs try to determine who would be best at the top of the order. On Sunday, Happ kicked off the game with a homer off the Giants' Madison Bumgarner. "He's in a good place right now mentally," Maddon said of Happ. Up next Jon Lester will make his Cactus League debut on Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. CT when the Cubs take on the White Sox at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. You can watch it on MLB.TV or listen free to an exclusive webcast. Lester, expected to be the Opening Day starter, was 13-8 with a 4.33 ERA in 32 starts last season.

-- Cubs.com Cubs aim to create new masterpiece this year By Jon Paul Morosi MESA, Ariz. -- Only one Spring Training camp lists Mona Lisa, Michelangelo's David and the Japanese entertainers Zoomadanke among its non-roster invitees. While it's unclear whether the Cubs possess the best roster in the National League, no team has better muses. Accordingly, here was the scene on a chilly Sunday morning: Tim Buss, the team's fun-loving strength and conditioning coach, gathered dozens of Cubs players, coaches and staff prior to the usual stretching routine. Encircled by the eager audience on a practice field, Buss introduced Zoomadanke's Kendama show -- an acrobatic cup-and-ball juggling act. The untrained observer might describe the performance as resembling genius-level yo-yo tricks, with a hacky-sack influence, all done while breakdancing. The players loved it. As their cheers faded and calisthenics began, their manager beamed. "Bussy!" Joe Maddon hollered toward a smiling Buss, who had arranged the visit. "That fits the theme! That's art, man! That's art! Wonderful!" Maddon turned toward a small group of reporters. Zoomadanke, he said, reminded him of acts he used to see on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "What they do is impossible -- seriously," Maddon said. "All the movement ... over ... under ... I'm awed." So what does this have to do with the Cubs' effort to end their excruciating one-year drought without a World Series title? Plenty, in fact. No longer are the Cubs defined by the quest to break a curse or defend a championship. When asked if his team must therefore recast its identity, Maddon referenced the work of Italian left-hander Leonardo da Vinci -- whose beard, it should be noted, was more than five centuries ahead of the popular trend among Major League relievers. "Look at the Mona Lisa," Maddon said. "See it with first-time eyes. Feel it with first-time passion." Therein lies the essence of Maddon's 2018 slogan: "Putting the art back into the game." That message -- in Maddon's pink and blue handwriting -- appears above a modern rendering of the Mona Lisa by Tampa-based artist Jason Skeldon that hangs in the Cubs' clubhouse. She's wearing white batting gloves and holding a golden bat. In the same hallway, a separate Skeldon piece depicts Michelangelo's David -- clad only in a jockstrap -- standing atop the mound at Wrigley Field, stone in hand.

"We won the World Series," Maddon continued. "The hardest part is to recreate that feel that you had when you did that. When I say, 'See it with first-time eyes,' it's the allure. How do you feel in regards to going after that? We all know what that's like, whether it's going after a World Series or this girl in high school when you're a senior. It's the same thing. You have to figure it out. You have to almost trick yourself or really have that positive present-tense mindset. "I don't think we ever lost our identity. The fact that we almost got back to the World Series last year speaks to that, too. I thought we learned some great lessons last year, so that we know, when you have won, what [the next season] is going to feel like." The Cubs now acknowledge one word describes that 2017 feeling: tired. They were drained after the franchise-altering Game 7 triumph in the 2016 World Series, entered the '17 All-Star break with a losing record, and somehow willed their way to the National League Championship Series. "When people talk about last year with any kind of negative tone ... not at all," Maddon said. "We got a couple games away from another World Series. Tell me: For decades, would Cubs fans or Cubs players or the Cubs organization take that? Absolutely. Ab-so-lutely! "The competition is great right now. If you want to recognize the mettle of our group, [the NL Division Series against the] Nationals was one of the toughest I've ever been involved in, against a real quality opponent. You had [Max] Scherzer and [Stephen] Strasburg, having to beat those two dudes in a five-game series. Think about it. That stuff hasn't been recognized, how difficult that was." The Dodgers outpitched and outplayed the Cubs in the NLCS, to the tune of a 28-8 aggregate score. The Cubs responded classically, luring away two Los Angeles pitchers -- starter Yu Darvish and reliever Brandon Morrow -- who were dominant in the series. Since the 2016 World Series, the Cubs have swapped three spots in their starting rotation: Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel and John Lackey for Darvish, Tyler Chatwood and '17 trade acquisition Jose Quintana. "We've done a nice job," Maddon said. "The guys that left are outstanding. The guys we brought in are equally outstanding. It's going to take some time to realize what the difference is. But on paper, we've done a great job of replicating and hopefully even surpassing what we had in the past." Meanwhile, Maddon's creative savvy continues to evolve -- stylistically and linguistically. T-shirts bearing the 2016 Cubs slogan "Try not to suck" have raised charitable contributions for Maddon's Respect 90 Foundation, which benefits pediatric cancer patients, at-risk kids and other causes. A version of the shirt in Japanese was commissioned shortly after the Cubs signed Darvish -- the literal translation of which is "Don't screw up," according to the eminent Japanese baseball journalist Hideki Okuda of Sports Nippon. Naturally, Maddon presented two of the new shirts to Zoomadanke, following the latest artistic celebration in the Cubs' expressive, enlivened camp. "It's ballet," Maddon said. "It's form. It's dexterity. It's flexibility. It's coordination. It's fascinating. I'm happy they came." -- Cubs.com Williams' quiet consistency led to HOF career By Manny Randhawa

Over the course of February, which is Black History Month, MLB Network and MLB.com are looking back at some of the most prominent African-American players in MLB history. On Monday, we look back on the career of Hall of Famer Billy Williams. Billy Williams is one of the greatest players in Cubs history, hitting 392 home runs for Chicago over 16 seasons from 1959-1974, before he spent the final two seasons of his Major League career with the A's. Williams was born in Whistler, Ala., just outside Mobile, on June 15, 1938. He was the youngest of five children. His father, Frank, had played semi-pro baseball, and Billy was naturally gifted in the sport. The Cubs signed Williams and he made his big league debut on Aug. 6, 1959, at age 21. After getting sporadic playing time in 1959 and '60, Williams' first full season in the Majors came in 1961. That year, he slashed .278/.338/.484 with 25 home runs in 146 games, earning National League Rookie of the Year honors. Williams would go on to become one of the most consistent players of his generation, playing in every game of the season in each year from 1963-70. The left fielder played in 1,117 consecutive games over that span, and he was selected to the NL All-Star team four times (he would again be named an All-Star in 1972 and '73). In 1970 and '72, Williams finished as runner-up in NL MVP Award voting; he produced a career-high 205 hits and 42 home runs in '70, and a career-best 1.005 OPS with 37 homers two seasons later. Though he was overshadowed during his career by other great players such as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and teammate Ernie Banks, Williams quietly put together a Hall of Fame career, finishing with 426 home runs and an .853 OPS over 18 seasons. He was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. The Cubs retired Williams' No. 26 the month after his induction in Cooperstown. It became the second number behind Banks' No. 14 to be retired by the franchise. In 2010, the Cubs unveiled a statue of Williams outside Wrigley Field. Following his playing career, Williams served as a Major League coach for the Cubs (15 years), A's (three years) and Indians (one year). -- ESPNChicago.com Kyle Hendricks continues evolution from soft-tossing new guy to Cubs' go-to guy By Jesse Rogers MESA, Ariz. -- For the player the Chicago Cubs call The Professor, the experiment is long over. Or as Jon Lester says of Kyle Hendricks, “The training wheels are off.” Hendricks, now married and making his first millions in the big leagues, is no longer just the quirky soft-tosser who went to an Ivy League school. He’s an established mainstay of the Cubs rotation and a player trying to put it back together after an injury-plagued 2017.

“I’ve learned so much about myself,” Hendricks said over the weekend. “This is my peak time. The amount that I’ve learned is amazing. You think you know everything, but every year in this game I’ve learned about myself.” Hendricks has had an every-other-year type of odyssey so far in the big leagues -- if you consider a 3.03 ERA an “off” year. That was his mark last season after leading all starters in 2016 with a nifty 2.13. In reality, the second half of 2017 was more like the old Hendricks. His 2.19 ERA ranked third in baseball behind Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander. It’s becoming obvious what Hendricks needs to do to be elite. “The big thing is him staying healthy,” Lester said. “The training wheels are off, per se, as far as an organizational aspect. They limited him in ’15 and ’16. Last year he had stuff going on. Now it’s just pitching.” The "stuff" going on last season was a sore tendon in his pitching hand that sidelined him for about seven weeks. But Hendricks won’t use it as an excuse. In his mind, his first-half ERA of 4.09 was about mechanics, not injury. “I could not get into my mechanics both last year and in 2015,” Hendricks said. “Something wasn’t right.” A shoe problem at the end of 2014 led to some uncertainty heading into 2015 -- a switch from Nike to New Balance helped, but Hendricks struggled, and there were doubters who wondered whether he could actually be successful throwing in the mid-80s. Lester, however, never doubted that the maturity in Hendricks’ game would show up. “I got a front-row seat for it,” Lester recalled. “He went from comfortable and being OK to being uncomfortable and being really good. It’s a hard step to take. He did that in 2015. It’s really cool to see him take that and go off on it.” Catching coach and game planner Mike Borzello agreed, pointing to a time when he challenged Hendricks by telling the young pitcher he could either be a journeyman fifth starter or, perhaps, find something more. Being "uncomfortable" meant not just relying on what got him to the big leagues and learning to follow a game plan, even if it was asking him to do something he was used to. Once Hendricks took to it, everything changed. “He went to Dartmouth,” Lester said with smile. “Immature people don’t go to Dartmouth.” Then came 2016. Hendricks dominated as the season progressed, eventually winning the ERA title before he famously dueled Clayton Kershaw in Game 6 of the NLCS that season and started Game 7 of the World Series. “It is still mind-blowing,” Hendricks said. “It’s hard to fathom or put into words. I dreamed of being in the big leagues, but to lead the league in ERA and pitch like that, I never would have imagined that.” He’s in an even better place now, after getting married, settling on a $4 million contract for 2018 and even being invited to an exclusive event: the Shohei Ohtani sales pitch. “It was eye-opening,” Hendricks recalled. “Seeing how that whole process worked.”

No, it wasn’t veteran Jon Lester or team leader Anthony Rizzo that Cubs brass asked to attend their meeting with the Japanese star last fall -- it was the mild-mannered Hendricks. Theo Epstein wanted someone who could articulate what the Cubs do for their pitchers, including the unique game plans put together by Borzello. There was one problem: Hendricks was on his honeymoon. He and his new wife were enjoying the sun in Bora Bora when they opened their laptop. “[Epstein’s] email started with ‘My wife is going to kill me for this,’” Hendricks said, laughing at his boss' acknowledgement of the faux pas of asking him a work question during his honeymoon. Fortunately, the meeting took place on the day Hendricks landed in Los Angeles after their vacation. The Cubs didn’t sign Ohtani, but the whole experience was another signal to Hendricks that he wasn’t just an employee trying to keep his job, he was part of the core of the Chicago Cubs. Confidence is a big part of baseball, and Hendricks has never had it more than over these past couple of years -- both on and off the field. “Confidence can help a lot,” Hendricks explained. “It does depend on the personality you have. I do like to be settled. Getting married is very settling, and obviously the contract gives you a little bit of security. ... All of it solidified what these guys have been telling me, just to be me and it can be successful.” His manager sees the same thing everyone else does. “He’s really confident where he is right now,” Joe Maddon said. “He’s overcome some difficult moments and made adjustments.” Hendricks is leaving no stone unturned. He wants to make all 32 starts this year, and he wants to develop beyond what you see on the mound. “To reach the top of the game, it is health, being consistent, handling the bat even,” Hendricks said. “If you want to be that top-of-the-rotation guy, you want to be left in there for that third AB. Even fielding my position could be better.” More than anything, Hendricks will always have his brain to help him out. Lester is amazed at how he goes about a game plan. “I can literally sit there with the scouting report in front of me and call every pitch he’s going to make,” Lester said. “And then he makes it.” Armed with a catalog of knowledge on hitters he didn’t possess in previous years, combined with the confidence of knowing he’s been an elite pitcher in the past and now a settled home life and good health, Hendricks is ready for another season among the elite arms in the game. “He can be that guy,” Lester said. “He already has been.” -- NBC Sports Chicago Three questions answered — and three questions unanswered — through a couple weeks of Cubs spring training By Vinnie Duber

March is almost here, and the Cubs are in the thick of spring training down in Mesa, with Cactus League games getting going over the weekend. After watching workouts and hearing from players and manager Joe Maddon for two weeks, some of the offseason's biggest questions seem to have answers, while others still remain. Here are three questions that have been answered and three that still need solving. Answers 1. Yu Darvish gives the Cubs ultimate pitching depth Heading into spring training, one of the biggest questions for this team was: What happens if a starting pitcher gets injured? Who would step into that spot in the rotation? With the starting staff looking to be made up of Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana, Tyler Chatwood and Mike Montgomery, an injury meant someone the caliber of Eddie Butler shouldering the load in a pinch. But the Darvish signing changed all that. Not only is Darvish one of the game’s best pitchers, an addition that gave the Cubs one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but he pushed Montgomery back to the bullpen, where Montgomery will serve in a variety of capacities. But the most important of those is starting-rotation insurance policy. Montgomery might want — and deserve — a shot at being an every-fifth-day starter. But squeezing him out of the staff means that in the event of an injury, the Cubs will be mighty confident in their replacement. The Cubs went from having little depth past the fifth starter to having a terrific option at the de facto No. 6 spot in this five-man rotation, an added and very important benefit of bringing Darvish aboard. 2. Addison Russell and Javy Baez aren't switching positions any time soon A minor controversy arose during the offseason when it was suggested that Addison Russell and Javy Baez should switch positions on the infield, with the defensive wizard Baez taking over full-time shortstop duties and Russell sliding over to second base. Yeah, that's not happening. The Cubs view Russell as a top-notch defender at shortstop, as they should, and any of the struggles he had last year can't necessarily be chalked up to a lack of talent, as he was dealing with a pair of injured body parts and off-the-field issues that he admitted had an effect on his 2017 campaign. No doubt about it, Baez dazzled at shortstop while filling in for the injured Russell last season. Between his arm, his range, his tags and his ability to make some truly jaw-dropping plays, it's no surprise that Baez has his sights on a Gold Glove in 2018. But if he wins it, it'll be at second base, where he was when the Cubs' infield took grounders last week in Mesa, with Russell lined up at shortstop. No surprise there. Baez will likely still see a decent amount of time at shortstop when Joe Maddon plugs him in there to spell Russell on the latter's days off. But before any position switch is discussed, give Russell a season of full health to remind folks just how good a defender he is, too. 3. It looks like Victor Caratini will be the backup catcher

Willson Contreras could very well be baseball’s best all-around catcher. But the task of backing him up will be necessary considering the Cubs don’t want to burn out their young stud behind the plate. There was plenty of speculation that the offseason addition of Chris Gimenez was intended to create another David Ross situation. Gimenez worked with Darvish and established a “personal catcher” type relationship when they played with the Texas Rangers. But Joe Maddon threw some cold water on the idea that Gimenez would be the guy working with Darvish on a regular basis, and it might have signaled that Gimenez, a nine-year veteran who hit .220 in 74 games with the Minnesota Twins last season, won’t even make the Opening Day roster. Maddon pointed out that Contreras is the Cubs’ catcher and that it’ll be Contreras catching Darvish. The two already worked together during bullpen sessions early in spring training. So with Gimenez’s main contribution — experience catching Darvish — seemingly unnecessary, wouldn’t it make sense that Victor Caratini will be backing up Contreras? The Cubs like Caratini, he’s been working with Contreras a lot, and he was decent enough at the plate in limited big league time last season, getting 15 hits and reaching base at a .333 clip in 66 plate appearances. Questions 1. What’s up with Ben Zobrist and how much will he play this season? Ben Zobrist showed up to camp talking about how great he felt and lamenting last year’s injury-filled season. Joe Maddon raved about his longtime player, saying how great of shape he was in. But then practice started, and Zobrist was nowhere to be found. Maddon explained away Zobrist’s absence as a back issue and said that the utility man will be fine. But after last season’s battle with injuries and his increasing age made Zobrist’s playing time a question already, what does this latest ailment mean as the season approaches? Give Zobrist credit for embracing a part-time role should his performance force him into one. But how much will his health limit that performance? It did last season, when he had perhaps the worst statistical season of his career with a .232/.318/.375 slash line while dealing with a particularly impactful wrist injury. It’s plenty possible that Zobrist will be fine come Opening Day and that he’ll have a bounce-back season and a big role on another championship team. But for a guy coming off a rough season and entering one in which his playing time could be given away to the likes of Ian Happ, Albert Almora Jr. and Javy Baez, starting the spring with another injury is not ideal. 2. Is Brandon Morrow ready for the closer’s role? The Cubs’ biggest addition to the bullpen this offseason admitted that the team told him it was leaving the door open to bring back All-Star closer Wade Davis. That didn’t happen, and now the closing job belongs to Brandon Morrow. That isn’t a bad thing, necessarily, as Morrow was terrific in plenty of high-leverage situations with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, posting a 2.06 regular-season ERA and pitching in every game of the World Series. But Morrow hasn’t had a regular closing job in a decade. Thrust into the ninth for a team with World Series expectations, how will things work out this time?

The Cubs have a safety net of sorts. Steve Cishek, another offseason addition, has plenty of closing experience. And Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. have been effective in late-inning situations for the past couple seasons — even if that wasn’t the case during last postseason. On a team that seemingly has no holes, how Morrow will fare as the closer remains the biggest question. And while it’s not likely to be solved before the Cubs leave Mesa for Miami and the season opener, it will remain a talking point. 3. How will Joe Maddon solve his everyday outfield puzzle? The Cubs’ skipper readily admitted he doesn’t yet know how he’ll divvy up playing time to his wealth of outfielders, three of which had subpar seasons in 2017 and have other players knocking on the door for extra time in the lineup. Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward will likely get the majority of the at-bats in the corner outfield spots, but that doesn’t mean they’ll produce at the levels Cubs fans with high expectations want them to. Heyward hasn’t hit well at all since joining the team on the largest contract in franchise history before the 2016 season. Last year, the numbers were better than they were the year prior, but despite Gold Glove defense in right field he hasn’t lived up to any of the expectations at the plate. And Schwarber, who still clubbed 30 home runs last season, had enough trouble to warrant getting sent down to Triple-A midway through the year. Then there’s Ben Zobrist, coming off the worst statistical season of his career. Meanwhile, young guys like Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr. seem to be heading toward a platoon situation in center field. But if Schwarber, Heyward and Zobrist continue to struggle again, will the young guys demand more of a role? And what if those three guys all bounce back nicely? How will Maddon find at-bats for those young guys to prevent them from, as Zobrist put it, “rusting” on the bench? Maddon’s managerial style means there probably is a satisfactory answer to this question awaiting. He tends to find the playing time for everyone, and with the way this team is built, there are well more than eight guys qualifying as “starting” position players. But it will be a daily head-scratcher for the skipper. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs' Kris Bryant wants to take a simpler approach to hitting this season By Mark Gonzales In his relentless search for improvement last season, Kris Bryant admits he might have suffered from brain overload. “Just almost too much information,” Bryant said of his effort to hit to the opposite field more after his 2016 National League Most Valuable Player season. “Last year I was letting certain things affect me in terms of expectations, coming off an MVP year. It’s tough to do better than that because then you’re basically guaranteed to win the MVP again. And not many people (win) back-to-back (MVP awards). “To an extent, it hurt me a little bit. But I’ve learned a lot from last year, and hopefully I’ll apply all that stuff to my game this year.” While Bryant understands that supporters offered suggestions in an attempt to help him, the slugging third baseman feels at peace as the Cubs attempt to recapture the World Series title.

“I like to answer all sorts of questions, but it’s kind of nice that it does seem a little more peaceful,” Bryant said. “We didn’t win a World Series last year, so things are a little different than the previous season. But it’s almost a fun position to be in because we want to do that all over again, and then we’ll get all those questions all over again.” Bryant eventually realized he shouldn’t try to force himself to hit to the opposite field, especially when opposing pitchers are pounding inside. And at the same time, Bryant learned to cope with a finger injury for most of the second half of the season. “So much goes into 162-plus game season that I’ve never experienced it before,” Bryant said. “I played a lot of baseball. It’s the only sport I’ve ever played. Once you get to a big-league season, you need to play through injuries here and there, or if you don’t feel good, you’re tired, this and that. “It only has made me a better person and a better player because last year I had to deal with some stuff physically, and I got through it and felt great about it. So as much as you don’t want to feel hurt, sometimes it’s good to experience it.” Despite not having an MVP-caliber season, Bryant still achieved career highs in batting average (.295) and on-base percentage (.409) and cut down his strikeout total from 154 to 128. “My goal this year offensively is to be locked in, ready for each pitch,” Bryant said. “If I do that, the result will take care of itself. No worrying about hitting the ball this way, or hitting a pitch that way. It’s just locked in. That’s all I’m worried about.” Manager Joe Maddon emphasized that those providing tidbits for Bryant were merely doing their jobs but likes the idea of hitters placing themselves in a more reactionary position with a “freer, (more) open mind” and not trying to do things specifically. “You have all this info out there, and that’s the danger for me,” Maddon said. “That’s why you see on that painting — data versus art. Balance this. You need to balance what you’re hearing whether it’s watching video, looking at numbers. You have to balance that with what’s this pitcher going to do with a runner at second base?” -- Chicago Tribune Jon Lester to receive special 'Game Model' glove from Wilson By Mark Gonzales Many equipment representatives are making the rounds throughout spring training camps, and the equivalent of Christmas will arrive Wednesday morning for the likes of John Lester and a few Cubs teammates when they receive their custom gloves from Wilson Sporting Goods at the Cubs’ facility. Lester will receive his own Game Model glove, given to a select few that includes Lester’s former Red Sox teammates Dustin Pedroia and Mookie Betts, and Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa of the Astros. Last season, Lester said it takes only a week to break in his glove, adding that he doesn’t like his gloves to be too flimsy. He also uses Albolene, a moisturizing cleanser, to protect the glove from excess moisture and dirt.

Other Cubs receiving custom gloves include Kyle Schwarber, Wilson Contreras, Tommy La Stella, Justin Wilson and Mike Montgomery. -- Chicago Tribune Nervous Tyler Chatwood gets job done in spring debut with Cubs By Mark Gonzales Tyler Chatwood admitted to being nervous before making his spring training debut Monday with the Cubs. “It was awesome,” Chatwood said after pitching a scoreless first inning against the Mariners. “I was nervous. I’m not going to lie. I was wearing a different uniform for first time in a while. So it was nerve wracking, but once I got out there and threw the first pitch, I was good.” Much of Chatwood’s curiosity with his new team has been quelled thanks to his reunion with former Southern California travel ball teammate Kyle Hendricks. “He would come in and pitch and do his thing like he does now,” said Chatwood, who signed a three-year, $38 million contract last December after pitching for the Rockies since 2012. “I played shortstop behind him, so it was fun. “I’m sure he knew what he wanted to do the whole time. He always has been an intelligent pitcher. And I’m excited to be back with him and learn from him.” Chatwood, however, was surprised twice when Andrew Romine told him before the game to give him a pitch down the middle. So Chatwood obliged, only to see Romine execute a sacrifice bunt. “Everyone won on that one,” said Chatwood, who subsequently induced an inning-ending double play. Speedy Schwarber: Kyle Schwarber’s mobility has improved noticeably since he no longer is required to wear a brace on his right knee that was repaired two years ago. And his increased speed has been evident on the basepaths as he stole two bases Sunday, as well as his ability to recover from a late break on a fly that he caught at Scottsdale Stadium. Maddon said he hasn’t used Schwarber any differently since his substantial weight loss last winter but admitted “maybe you can turn him loose.” “He looks good,” said Maddon, warning that it’s only the first week of spring training games. “I cannot deny that.” Medical update: Third baseman Kris Bryant was scratched from Monday’s lineup because of illness. … Infielder Ben Zobrist tested his back by doing light field work during Monday’s workout. -- Chicago Tribune Monday's recap: Cubs 9, Mariners 9 By Mark Gonzales

A Victor Caratini line drive struck Mariners ace Felix Hernandez on the upper right forearm in the second inning Monday. Preliminary X-rays were negative, and Hernandez — a six-time American League All-Star and 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner — was listed as day-to-day. The Cubs rallied from a 9-2 deficit with five runs in the eighth, and Mike Freeman smacked a two-run home run in the ninth to forge a 9-9 tie before 10,021 fans at Sloan Park. At the plate: After developing a cult following because of his stares that went viral, Taylor Davis has assumed a more sedate role as a non-roster player. Davis, who knocked the Cardinals out of postseason contention with a game-winning hit on Sept. 28, showed some pop by smacking a home run in the fifth and he had a single to right in the eighth. On the mound: Left-hander Brian Duensing looked extremely sharp as he struck out left-handed hitter Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Taylor Motter to open the second. But Duensing was tagged for four consecutive hits, starting with a solo shot from Matt Hague and a three-run blast by Dee Gordon. In the field: Shortstop Addison Russell fielded a grounder by the speedy Gordon before suddenly hurrying and bouncing a throw past first baseman Anthony Rizzo for a throwing error to start the game. Third baseman David Bote made a sliding catch of Ian Miller’s popup near the wall for the final out of the eighth. Key number: 2 — Hits by Cubs leadoff men in first four games. Up next: Vs. White Sox, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday at Sloan Park. LH Jon Lester vs. RH Carson Fulmer. -- Chicago Tribune Dillon Maples isn't consumed by the Cubs' numbers game: 'I know what I'm capable of' By Mark Gonzales After a breakthrough season that resulted in a September promotion to the major leagues, Dillon Maples isn’t about to get obsessed with the Cubs’ numbers game. “I don’t pay attention to any of that stuff,” said Maples, the hard-throwing rookie reliever who struck out 100 in 52 appearances at three minor-league levels. “I haven’t done that throughout my career, and I’m not going to start now. I know what I’m capable of. Everyone knows when things are going right, you don’t need numbers to tell you. “So I keep out of that. When I have peeked into it, it gets cloudy, and I want clarity of thought at all times.” In an effort to improve on his control, Maples, 25, has gradually changed his offseason workout routine with the help of a trainer in his native North Carolina. After a two-month break from throwing, Maples and his trainer focused on baseball-specific work instead of weight lifting. “In my case, I’ve never had a problem working out or gaining weight. I know I’m going to take care of that. It’s part of the job. But it’s more the mental approach and taking care of my stuff. I want to make sure that takes priority over weight lifting.”

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Maples, who walked 37 in 63 1/3 innings in the minors, struck out 11 but walked six in 5 1/3 innings covering six appearances with the Cubs last September. He was grateful for staying healthy for the first time since joining the organization in 2011. But the experience of getting promoted was invaluable as he tries to earn a spot on an eight-man bullpen. “I feel very comfortable where I’m at,” said Maples, who is in his first major league spring training camp. “I’ve gotten into a nice routine, but last year was big. In talking to the older guys, see what they did throughout the offseason. I’ve been able to come in and feel comfortable.” Manager Joe Maddon believes Maples merely needs to throw his fastball consistently for strikes because his slider constantly is around the plate enough to entice batters. “Once he learns to throw a fastball for a strike where he wants to, that’s when he’s going to take off,” Maddon said. -- Chicago Tribune Brandon Hyde replaces Dave Martinez as Joe Maddon's wing man By Paul Sullivan Joe Maddon and Dave Martinez worked together so well over the last decade they were almost like a married couple, knowing what the other was thinking every second of the day. Martinez served as bench coach under Maddon for 10 years, starting with their 2008 World Series year in Tampa Bay and continuing in Chicago from 2015 through last year. But now Martinez has realized his dream of managing, taking over a playoff-ready roster in Washington that could stand in the Cubs way next October. Taking Martinez’s place as Maddon’s wing man is Brandon Hyde, the Cubs’ former first-base coach who was brought into the organization as a minor league coordinator in 2012, and basically has run spring training since joining the major league staff in 2014. Hyde has been a bench coach three times, under Edwin Rodriguez and Jack McKeon in Florida and under Rick Renteria in 2014 with the Cubs. He was slated to be the bench coach again in 2015 before the Cubs fired Renteria and hired Maddon, who was able to bring in Martinez from the Rays to keep the marriage intact. “The difference with Joe is I’ve been with him three years prior, so I know him, and I’ve coordinated spring training with him the last three years,” Hyde said. “I’m familiar with him and what he wants and how he likes things done. “I think there will be a little adjustment in the dugout, my responsibilities will be different obviously, so that’s what we’ll work through in spring training and I’ll get a better feel of what he needs from me during a game.” He’ll also be the guy who makes the calls on replay debates, letting Maddon know if the replay coordinator believes it’s worth a challenge.

Maddon’s trust in Martinez was apparent from Day One. Martinez was almost a shadow manager when it came to getting the players ready for games, letting them know beforehand if they were getting a day off or not. “Davey was spectacular at what he did and how he did it,” Maddon said. “But Brandon has his own methods and approach. He’s really competent. So now it’s been ‘Hyder’ and I getting to know each other in this realm." Obviously spring training isn’t the time to make strategical decisions in the dugout. Everything is scripted, pitching-wise,and the games are meaningless. But when the season begins, Maddon will depend on Hyde for advice or simply to bounce ideas off him. How much he’ll depend on Hyde remains to be seen. Does he offer an opinion or wait for a cue? “Some guys use (the bench coach) as a sounding board, some guys don’t need him as much, some guys rely heavily on opinions,” Hyde said. “I’m going to find out from Joe when you throw things out to him. It’s all timing on how you throw things out. There is so much going on during a game you’ve got to pick your spots. That’s my job, to find the comfortable times to approach him with things.” Maddon isn’t worried about the two meshing together. They’re both cut from the same cloth, and a tie-dyed cloth at that. “He’s a (Long Beach State) Dirtbag,” Maddon said. “I was grounded in Southern California baseball coaches’ knowledge. And even here in Arizona, walk into this park, a lot of this stuff was beaten into me in a good way. “He has all that. He really does. And now he’s found his voice as a major league coach, and he does a great job. I’m really impressed with him.” Hyde still aspires to manage in the big leagues down the road, after managing in the minors with the Marlins, winning the 2009 Southern League title with players like Giancarlo (then called ‘’Mike’) Stanton and Logan Morrison. He pointed out he does have one major league game under his belt, taking over for Rodriguez after the Marlins manager abruptly resigned in the summer of 2011. “If you go in the Marlins media guide, I’m 0-1,” Hyde said. “I’ve got to get back to .500 at some point.” So Maddon may have to leave? “No,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not in any kind of a hurry. One thing at a time. It doesn’t keep me up at night, but if the opportunity comes, that would be great.” -- Chicago Sun-Times How Willson Contreras could become the Cubs’ next serious MVP candidate By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — As confident as Cubs catcher Willson Contreras feels about his chances for a big 2018, he’s not predicting an All-Star selection, an MVP award or that he’s going to lead the National League in throwing guys out on the bases. What he does feel sure about is this: He won’t lead the league in ejections, no matter what he said last week about Major League Baseball’s new restrictions on visits to the mound. ‘‘I just want to [make it] clear that I didn’t say I’m [ignoring] the rules; I’m going to follow the rules,’’ said Contreras, whose first reaction last week was to suggest the six-visit limit per nine innings wouldn’t stop him from going to the mound any time he wanted to. ‘‘I’ll make my adjustments, and we will follow the rules. ‘‘I didn’t know [last week] that when the game goes to extra innings, we have an extra mound visit. Now I know, and we’ll see throughout the season what’s going to happen.’’ For a catcher who was among the most frequent visitors to the mound last season, Contreras’ initial reaction to the limit seemed like a threat to the major-league ejections record — and to his 2018 MVP candidacy. Contreras isn’t thinking about things such as MVPs in his second full season in the majors, but that doesn’t stop others from thinking about it. Not after that torrid surge out of the All-Star break last season that ended only because of a hamstring injury Aug. 9. ‘‘Look at his game,’’ manager Joe Maddon said. ‘‘He plays that [key] position. He’s a premier thrower in the league — top three in baseball, probably. He blocks. He’s really good at receiving. And if he didn’t get hurt last year, he drives in 100 [runs] with a bunch of homers. So he’s all of that.’’ In 23 games from the All-Star break to the injury, Contreras went 28-for-90 (.311) with 10 home runs, 10 walks and 29 RBI. That put him on the fringe of the early MVP discussion in the NL. ‘‘I do remember a lot of people talking about that, just saying how I got hot in the second half because I made the right adjustments,’’ Contreras said. ‘‘But I was just focused on having a good at-bat and getting a good pitch to hit. . . . ‘‘Sadly, I got hurt. But I was able to come back [before the end] of the season and get to the playoffs.’’ He was eased back into the lineup about a month later and didn’t hit another homer. But his 21 homers still were second only to the Dodgers’ Yasmani Grandal (22) among NL catchers, and he was second only to the Giants’ Buster Posey in OPS (.855) and WAR (3.9) among NL catchers with at least 400 plate appearances. If he stays healthy all year? If the Cubs do what they plan to do this season and lead voters to scour their roster for MVP candidates? ‘‘It’s not impossible,’’ Maddon said. ‘‘Just look at his game.’’ Contreras admitted he had some what-if moments during the offseason when he thought about the lost month and compromised finish to 2017.

‘‘Not just me,’’ he said. ‘‘Every player, if he gets hurt in that type of season, you’re always going to think about, ‘What if I don’t get hurt?’ But I was talking to my dad about it, and he said: ‘That’s over. Keep moving on and just think about next year.’ ’’ Contreras’ biggest, most obvious goal this season is to stay healthy. And MVP talk or not, he said the hitter the Cubs saw until the injury is the one he expects to see from himself this season. Now if he can just find a way to stay away from the mound long enough to stay in all the games. ‘‘There’s always going to be a time where you have to do something like that, like going out for [visit] No. 7,’’ he said. “But we’re trying to figure something out to not go out there as many times.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Line drive knocks Mariners ace Felix Hernandez out of Cubs-M’s game By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. – Mike Freeman’s two-run homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth tied it, and after more than 3 1/2 hours of baseball the teams settled for the 9-9 tie Monday at Sloan Park. The only outcome of consequence involved the status of Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez after he was hit near his right elbow by a Victor Caratini line drive in the second inning. As the ball caromed toward left field, Hernandez — the six-time All-Star and 2010 Cy Young winner — immediately dropped his glove, grabbed his arm and jumped in pain. He left the game with a trainer supporting the arm and was taken back to the Mariners’ spring complex, where precautionary x-ray results were negative. The Mariners say he will be examined again Tuesday and his status is considered day-to-day. First impressions Newly signed fifth starter Tyler Chatwood made his spring debut, pitching around a leadoff error and stranding two runners in a scoreless inning. After a throwing error by Addison Russell and a sacrifice bunt, Chatwood allowed a single, then got ex-Cub Junior Lake on an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play. ‘‘I was nervous, I’m not going to lie,’’ Chatwood said. ‘‘It’s a different uniform for the first time in a while.’’ Nauseous, so cautious Third baseman Kris Bryant was scratched from the lineup because he showed up at the park not feeling well. Taylor made Taylor Davis, the career minor-league catcher who earned a major-league debut last September, replaced Anthony Rizzo at first base in the fifth, then drove an 0-2 pitch from Max Povse over the left-field wall in his first at-bat. He added a single to lead off the Cubs’ five-run eighth.

Bote ball Playing third, prospect David Bote made the defensive play of the game in the top of the eighth. He slid across the gravel of the warning track near the stands to catch a foul pop. He then delivered a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the inning. On deck: White Sox at Cubs, Mesa, Carson Fulmer vs. Jon Lester, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Ch. 9, cubs.com audio. -- Chicago Sun-Times Can Kyle Schwarber’s glove play big enough to earn him more time at the plate? By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — A leaner, meaner Kyle Schwarber has the early stolen-base lead in the Cactus League. Is that a sign of things to come for the slugging left fielder, the result of all his work during the offseason? ‘‘It’s not a big goal,’’ Schwarber joked. ‘‘The situation just dictated it [Sunday against the Giants].’’ Whether Schwarber has what it takes to reach a career high in steals with, say, four this season, his real goals involve how he moves in the outfield and how much difference that makes in his playing time and overall production. Schwarber said he doesn’t know how much weight he has lost (at least 20 pounds) since embarking on an offseason program that had as much to do with nutrition and portion sizes as weight training and running. What he does know is that he’s moving better, whether it’s on the bases or in the outfield. ‘‘I feel that’s going to be a big key for me,’’ said Schwarber, who also has been cleared to ditch the knee brace he wore all last season after having knee surgery in 2016. ‘‘I would say a goal is to be really good at defense. I want to be a really solid defender out there and be out there and make those plays and go shake hands at the end of the game. ‘‘I don’t want to be the National League DH, know what I mean?’’ Most Cubs fans know exactly what he means. For all the talk about his first-half struggles — in and out of the leadoff spot — last season, Schwarber finished with a strong second half and a 30-homer season that eased many would-be concerns about his hitting as he prepares for 2018. If his fielding can catch up, more at-bats are almost sure to follow because he might not get lifted for a late defensive replacement as often. Schwarber has been putting in extra time with outfield coaches Doug Dascenzo and Will Venable and paying close attention to how the Cubs’ more accomplished outfielders do their jobs. ‘‘I just want to go out there and finish that game,’’ he said. ‘‘I take pride in what I do. I’m an outfielder now; that’s my job. I want to go out there and be really good in the outfield and not leave anything out. ‘‘That was kind of what this offseason was about. It wasn’t the year I wanted it to be [last season], so try to control what I can control. That’s what I’m doing now. Just go out there and work on defense and just try to keep getting better.’’

NOTE: The Cubs might get their first look at Shohei Ohtani, the two-way free agent who got away this winter, when they face the Angels on Friday. The Angels say Ohtani will pitch that day. Still to be determined is whether that will be against the Cubs or in a ‘‘B’’ game also scheduled that day. --