March 6, 2017

Chicago Sun-Times, Lester makes spring debut; Cubs tie Rangers in slugfest http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/lester-makes-spring-debut-cubs-tie-rangers-in-spring-slugfest/

Chicago Sun-Times, Why Jon Lester says openers suck but changing catchers won’t http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/why-jon-lester-says-openers-suck-but-changing-catchers-wont/

Chicago Sun-Times, Finding a real Cubs deficiency is no easy task, but let’s try http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/finding-a-real-cubs-deficiency-is-no-easy-task-but-lets-try/

Chicago Sun-Times, New coaching-box emphasis ‘going to be an adjustment’ for Jones http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/new-coaching-box-emphasis-going-to-be-an-adjustment-for-jones/

Cubs.com, Almora Jr. hits grand slam in tie with Texas http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218036900/cubs-rangers-play-to-tie-in-six-homer-game/

Cubs.com, Baez excited about Classic reunion with friend http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218044016/cubs-javier-baez-joins-old-friend-for-classic/

Cubs.com, Rizzo ready to return after missing four games http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218088958/cubs-anthony-rizzo-to-return-vs-angels/

Cubs.com, Kelly relishes chance to pitch in front of dad http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218056510/cubs-casey-kelly-happy-to-see-dad-in-camp/

Cubs.com, Lester's daughter gets award-worthy name http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218086818/cubs-jon-lester-names-daughter-cy-elizabeth/

CSNChicago.com, What To Make Of Jeimer Candelario, The Breakout Star Of Cubs Camp So Far http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/what-make-jeimer-candelario-breakout-star-cubs-camp-so-far-anthony-rizzo-joe-maddon-kris-bryant

CSNChicago.com, Jon Lester Doesn't See Why Throwing To Willson Contreras Will Be An Issue http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/jon-lester-doesnt-see-why-throwing-willson-contreras-will-be-issue-david-ross

CSNChicago.com, Joe Maddon Believes Javy Baez Came To Cubs Camp With A Purpose http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/joe-maddon-believes-javy-baez-came-cubs-camp-purpose-world-baseball-class-puerto-rico

Chicago Tribune, John Lackey ready to say hello to 2017 with first spring training start http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-john-lackey-first-spring-training-start-20170306-story.html#nt=oft03a-1la1

Chicago Tribune, Jon Lester still in feeling-out phase with Willson Contreras as his catcher http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-jon-lester-willson-contreras-personal-catcher-spt-0306-20170305-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs not worried about Javier Baez missing time for World Baseball Classic http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-javier-baez-world-baseball-classic-bits-spt-0306-20170305-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Sunday's recap: Cubs 9, Rangers 9 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-spring-recap-spt-0306-20170305-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs 'getting the band together' as spring training rolls on http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-pitchers-spring-training-20170305-story.html

-- Chicago Sun-Times Lester makes spring debut; Cubs tie Rangers in slugfest By Gordon Wittenmyer SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jon Lester pitched two innings in his first start of the spring, and the Cubs (3-5-3) pounded out 13 hits, including three home runs, in a 9-9 tie with the Rangers on Sunday. Lester pitched a 1-2-3 first inning but gave up three hits, including a double over the center fielder’s head, in a two-run second. “Just trying to get through it more than anything,” he said after the 36-pitch outing. “The first one’s always the hardest because it’s the first one. First time getting on the mound, getting back in the element of fans and the warmup and up-and-down and all that stuff.” Pow! Playing just his second game because of a tight hamstring that slowed him early in camp, infielder Tommy La Stella hit a solo home run in the first and a sacrifice fly in the second. Center fielder Albert Almora Jr., who doubled and scored in the third, slugged the Cubs’ second grand slam in as many days in the fifth (Kris Bryant hit one Saturday). One inning after that, catcher Willson Contreras hit a two-run shot. Bam! Veteran setup relievers Koji Uehara and Justin Grimm made their spring debuts, and each retired all three batters they faced, needing only 18 pitches combined. Grimm finished with back-to-back strikeouts. Oof! Closer Wade Davis didn’t make any highlight reels in his Cubs debut. Taking over for Lester in the third and facing the top of the order, he allowed a leadoff walk and three consecutive singles before punching out Rougned Odor for his only out. Ouch! Third baseman Jeimer Candelario, one of the more impressive prospects in camp, left the game after getting struck by a pitch on the left ankle. The team said he suffered only a bruise. On deck Cubs at Angels, Tempe, 2:10 p.m., cubs.com audio, Jake Arrieta vs. Jesse Chavez. -- Chicago Sun-Times Why Jon Lester says openers suck but changing catchers won’t By Gordon Wittenmyer

SURPRISE, Ariz. — No, that’s not a typo on Jon Lester’s bio sheet. He and his wife named their newborn daughter Cy in November. Well, technically Cy Elizabeth. But, yeah, Cy. Like that Cy. “That’s more of a coincidence than anything,” the Cubs’ star left-hander said. “It’s not after Cy Young. It’s just a name we really liked.” Lester couldn’t explain the origin of the affinity he and his wife developed for the name. But if you’ve watched him pitch the last several years — especially last season for the Cubs — it’s not hard to imagine how familiar and appealing the word might be considering how often it has been mentioned near his own name. The man the Cubs signed for $155 million at the competitive turning point of their rebuild came closer to a Cy Young Award last year than ever, finishing second to the Nationals’ Max Scherzer after going 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA. He finished fourth in the American League twice with the Red Sox. He began the next chapter of his career Sunday, when he made his spring debut with two innings against the Texas Rangers. “I would love to have about 15 of those [seasons like last year],” he said. “But if I take the ball every five days and get 200-something innings, I feel I’m in a good position to have a good year, a decent year, whatever my numbers have said over the last 10, 11 years.” Lester’s first game of the spring came exactly four weeks before he’ll make his sixth Opening Day start, second as a Cub. “Obviously, it’s an honor to be named that guy, especially on this staff in this organization,” said Lester, who reiterated that pitching in an opener “sucks” because starters go in cold with no trends, rhythms or recent scouting. He’s 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA in five openers, and his teams are 1-4 in those games. “It’s just a weird game,” said Lester, who said Game 1 playoff starts are easier because of all the known quantities that have built up. “That first one is just always a little bit different. But at the same time, it’s fun. It’s a lot of different emotions going into it.” The bigger potential issue is he’ll open without the safety blanket of his personal catcher the last four seasons, David Ross of “Dancing With the Stars” fame. Ross became an expert at keeping runners and bunters in check for Lester, who has had problems throwing to bases, dating to his amateur days. Against the Rangers, he and young catcher Willson Contreras worked together for nine batters — half their total together all last season, when Contreras was a rookie. But Lester said he already feels a comfort level with Contreras, and he thinks Contreras’ exceptional arm will make up for any catching up he has to do on what had been a Ross-Lester-Anthony Rizzo triangle of tricks for handling the running game. “I forgot how good of an arm he has until that first throw down to second base [after first-inning warmups],” Lester said. “I’ve got to remember to get the hell out of the way.

“We’ll figure it out,” he added of the building relationship with the catcher who is expected to be the starter for the final four years of Lester’s contract. “It’s just a matter of throwing innings and pitches and all that stuff. I’m not concerned with it at all. “Willie’s such a good kid and cares, and he wants to learn and get better. I don’t see any reason why this is ever going to be an -issue for anybody.” If he’s right and the 33-year-old left arm holds up to recent form, he might even have a shot at adding another Cy to the family. -- Chicago Sun-Times Finding a real Cubs deficiency is no easy task, but let’s try By Rick Morrissey The Cubs aren’t flawless, but good luck finding a definite weakness. This is likely a source of considerable comfort and occasional terror for the team’s front office. On one hand, who wouldn’t feel good about the possibility of being better than the previous year’s model, which won the World Series? On the other hand, it’s like the start of an ominous tale: “The sky was a deep blue that idyllic July day …’’ The Cubs bring back the reigning National League most valuable player, Kris Bryant. If last season was his sophomore-slump season, his third year in the big leagues could be truly frightening. Speaking of scary, how much damage can Kyle Schwarber do if he stays healthy an entire season? The Cubs have the best infield in the majors, provided Javy Baez is in it. They won 103 regular-season games with Jason Heyward struggling mightily at the plate, although sunshiny manager Joe Maddon said last week, “I thought he had a really good year.’’ OK, Joe. The point is, imagine if Heyward’s hitting comes around. How crazy good could the Cubs be? A rotation that includes Jon Lester (second in NL Cy Young voting last season), Kyle Hendricks (third), Jake Arrieta (the 2015 Cy Young winner) and John Lackey is absurd. The Cubs lose Aroldis Chapman and gain Wade Davis, which isn’t a bad closer exchange. And, as far as we know, Davis hasn’t fired eight bullets inside his garage after a domestic-violence incident. The Cubs are talking about breaking the club’s home run record of 235, set in 2004, and they should be with Bryant, Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell in the lineup. “I definitely think it’s a possibility,’’ Bryant said. That’s just it: Everything is a possibility with the Cubs. That’s the fun and the beauty with this team. The list of good things isn’t endless, but you do have to squint to see all the possibilities lining up. And that, of course, leads to the most innocent question of all, the kind of question that might be asked before someone lights a cigarette outside a building that, unbeknownst to him, happens to be a fireworks factory: What could go wrong? You don’t have to be a seer, or a buzz kill, to see the possibility of some darkness ahead. As good as the Cubs are, that’s how fragile life is. Here are some potential issues:

— Injuries. Schwarber’s season-ending injury several games into the 2016 schedule looked like it was going to be a big problem, until it wasn’t. The Cubs won 103 games in part because they hardly had any other injury of significance. What are the odds of going two seasons in a row without injuries being a factor? — Schwarber batting leadoff. The kid looks like a born hitter, so it shouldn’t make any difference where he is in the order. But plenty of players have struggled in spots that are new to them, Heyward being one of them. And maybe Maddon is right that baseball has moved beyond the need for a speedster in the leadoff position. But what if Joe is wrong? I know: Hard to believe! — Schwarber playing left field. Maddon has gone out of his way to say that Schwarber’s defense in left is good enough, which should give you pause. The Cubs have to hope that Schwarber’s skills have improved since the 2015 postseason, when every fly ball to left had the potential to be a Greek tragedy, and last season’s small sample size, in which the center fielder had reason to wonder if the roaming left fielder wanted him dead. — Maddon’s tinkering. The manager won some games for the Cubs last season with his mad-scientist mixing and matching, but he almost killed a dream season – and his reputation – by overusing Chapman in the World Series. That he refuses to say he was wrong should make Cubs fans nervous going forward. — Lackey gets older and ineffective. The snarling right-hander is 38, so it’s fair to ask if the Cubs can get 188.1 innings and a 3.35 ERA out of him, as they did last season. But he has shown few signs of slowing down, and the team has depth if he does. Now, if Lackey and Lester both regress … — Davis’ right forearm. The team’s new closer was on the disabled list twice last season with a strained forearm, a condition that was also an issue for him late in the previous season. How much confidence do the Cubs have in Hector Rondon as their closer if Davis gets hurt? Not much, if you consider the way they have looked past him to fill that role. How do they convince him they believe in him after that? Tough sell. There will be challenges. Something bad likely will happen because something bad usually happens to a team. But, from the perspective of early March, it looks like it would take an army of bad things to bring down the Cubs. Hard to see it from here. -- Chicago Sun-Times New coaching-box emphasis ‘going to be an adjustment’ for Jones By Gordon Wittenmyer MESA, Ariz. — Gary Jones picked his spot for self-preservation reasons as much as anything, stationing himself farther into foul territory and a little toward the on-deck circle from his third-base coaching box. “I wasn’t trying to gain an advantage,” he said. “The only reason I did it was to try to protect myself as far as getting hit by a batted ball from a right-handed hitter.” Now an amendment to major-league rules emphasizes the coaching-box restriction, mandating coaches stay roughly in the boxes before the ball is put in play. How vigorously umpires enforce it — or how severe the penalty might be — remains to be determined. An apparent goal is to keep a base coach from stealing catching signs, though Jones said it’s hard to be sure of that because MLB officials never talked to him or, apparently, other coaches. “The only thing that disappointed me is if I was one of the guys that it was changed for, they didn’t ask me why I stood down there,” he said. “I don’t know if they assumed that I was trying to take advantage or something like that, which I wasn’t. My whole purpose was for safety reasons.” That issue was spotlighted 10 years ago when Mike Coolbaugh, a first-base coach in the Rockies’ system, was killed after being hit by a line drive in a minor-league game.

“Obviously, I’m working on it now in spring training because it’s kind of a different angle for me not being able to get down as far as I would like sometimes,” Jones said. “It’s going to be an adjustment. The biggest adjustment is just going to be once the ball is hit, scrambling to get down the line where I normally would get to create that angle that I like to have.” Notes: Shortstop Addison Russell was scratched from the lineup Sunday because of the bruise he suffered near his left elbow when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. Manager Joe Maddon said Russell wanted to play and likely would have if it was the regular season, but Maddon chose not to push it. “There’s nothing to it,” he said. • After being sidelined four games with a sore back, first baseman Anthony Rizzo will be in the lineup Monday against the Angels, Maddon said, a day earlier than earlier anticipated. • The Cubs have scheduled a “B” game against the Angels on Thursday morning on Field 1 of their practice facility. • Maddon said his “Respect Bald” charity event Saturday involving mostly players and other team personnel having their heads shaved is expected to total more than $70,000 in donations, which he said will benefit Banner Cardon Children’s Hospital in Arizona. -- Cubs.com Almora Jr. hits grand slam in tie with Texas By Dave Sessions SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Cubs hit a grand slam for the second consecutive day Sunday as Albert Almora Jr.'s fifth-inning shot gave them the lead over the Rangers, but Texas strung together three homers in the seventh and eighth innings, including Drew Robinson's two-run blast, to end the game deadlocked at 9 after nine innings. Robinson's homer in the seventh -- his second in the past three games -- pulled the Rangers within 9-7, and Jared Hoying and Jason Martinson homered off Cubs reliever Caleb Smith, a Rule 5 pickup, in the eighth to tie the game. Willson Contreras added a two-run homer and Tommy La Stella hit a solo shot for the Cubs in the first as each team went deep three times at Surprise Stadium. Rangers starter Nick Martinez, a candidate for the team's fifth rotation spot, allowed two earned runs in two innings. But eight of the 12 batters he faced reached base. "I wasn't quite in sync," Martinez said. "I executed some good pitches at the right time, I was able to minimize, and on those pitches I was better in sync with my mechanics. They did damage on balls that I left elevated ... I was just rushed, I just wasn't quite staying behind. Now I know what I need to do to get myself back on track." Martinez was off the hook, though, after the Rangers scored two runs in the second inning off Cubs starter Jon Lester, who was making his spring debut, and tacked on three runs in the third off new Cubs closer Wade Davis. Lester, who will start Opening Day for the Cubs, said he threw mostly fastballs as he continues to build up arm strength. "The first [start] is always the hardest because it's the first one," Lester said. "It's the first time getting on the mound, getting in the element of fans and the warmup. That's the biggest thing is just getting through it." Cubs Up Next: Jake Arrieta will make his first spring start Monday when the Cubs face the Angels in Tempe. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT. Arrieta is coming off a season in which he went 18-8 with a 3.10 ERA. Anthony Rizzo was expected back in the lineup after missing four games because of tightness in his back. Watch live on MLB.TV.

Rangers Up Next: A.J. Griffin will make his first start and third appearance of the spring in Peoria at 2:05 p.m. CT as the Rangers take on the Mariners and lefty Drew Smyly. Griffin was banged around in the Cactus League opener Feb. 25, allowing three earned runs in two innings, but he threw three scoreless innings and allowed just one hit in his second outing on March 1.live on MLB.TV. -- Cubs.com Baez excited about Classic reunion with friend By Carrie Muskat SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Javier Baez can't wait to be reunited with Francisco Lindor on Team Puerto Rico. Baez, who played his last game with the Cubs on Sunday before joining the Puerto Rico squad to prepare for the World Baseball Classic, played with Lindor when he was 17 years old in a tournament in Jupiter, Fla., in 2010. Lindor started at shortstop while Baez was at second, and the two talented infielders are expected to start at those positions again when Puerto Rico opens play against Venezuela on Friday in Jalisco, Mexico. "I'm really excited," Baez said Sunday about playing in the event. "Everybody keeps telling me it's fun, and at the same time the competition is really good. We've got a pretty good team. We'll see how everything goes, and me and Lindor up the middle is a big thing. We'll see what we can do together." The Puerto Rican team will work out Tuesday in Scottsdale, and play the Giants on Wednesday and the Rockies on Thursday before going to Mexico. Manager Joe Maddon said he noticed Baez looked ready to go. "He came here with a purpose to get ready for this," Maddon said. "I like to play hard all the time," Baez said. "I won't go out there if I don't feel 100 percent. I'm just trying to do my best and obviously get ready for the season, too." The World Baseball Classic runs from Monday through March 22. In the U.S., games will air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN will provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. will have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament will be distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com. -- Cubs.com Rizzo ready to return after missing four games By Carrie Muskat SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said he expected to play Monday after missing four straight games because of tightness in his lower back. "It's not a big deal," Rizzo said Sunday. "I wanted to play [Saturday]. Since it's March 4 [and early in Spring Training], I agreed with them." "He wants to play the next two days," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Sunday. "He doesn't want to miss the paisans."

The Cubs play the Angels on Monday and have an exhibition game against Team Italy on Tuesday. Rizzo played for the Italian team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. • Shortstop Addison Russell was scratched from Sunday's game because of soreness on his left arm from being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning on Saturday. Russell is day to day. Jeimer Candelario came out of Sunday's game against the Rangers after being hit by a pitch on his left shin. • Sunday was Jon Lester's first spring game, and also his first game in 2017 with catcher Willson Contreras, who takes over for the retired David Ross. "It was hard on him coming in last year, not really catching a lot of guys and being a part of getting to know us and just getting thrown into the situation," Lester said of Contreras, who was called up in mid-June and ended up becoming the regular catcher. "We're just trying to get through it and see what he's comfortable with back there. We'll figure it out. "It's just a matter of throwing and innings and pitches and all that stuff," Lester said. "I'm not concerned about it at all. Willie's such a good kid, and [he] cares and he wants to learn and he wants to get better." Ross' new gig is a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars." "It's good to see a good guy like that get the recognition that he deserves for a long career," Lester said. "I think I would've picked another way than 'Dancing with the Stars.' To each his own. I look forward to seeing him." Contreras does have a strong arm, and Lester knows he has to be careful on the mound. "I forgot how good of an arm he has until that first throw to second base," Lester said. "I've got to remember to get the hell out of the way. It's coming by really quick. It's definitely impressive to see him and his abilities." • Cubs Minor Leaguers Taylor Davis and Pierce Johnson got most of the attention at Saturday's Respect Bald event for trimming their long blond hair, but coach Franklin Font's wife, Maria, also participated. She wanted to show support after a health scare last year. Now she has short hair for the first time in 40 years. Maddon said he expects the final total for money raised will be $70,000. "That was pretty magnificent what our guys did yesterday," Maddon said of the players who got their heads shaved. "That says something about the individuals." • Outfielder Matt Szczur has an artistic side, and he did a painting of teammates Kris Bryant and Rizzo after the last out of Game 7 of the World Series. The two players autographed the painting, which will be auctioned off at the Cubs Charities' Bricks & Ivy Ball in April. • The Cubs will play a "B" game Thursday at 11 a.m. CT at Sloan Park against the Angels. Chicago plays host to Seattle in Mesa that day in a Cactus League game. -- Cubs.com Kelly relishes chance to pitch in front of dad By Carrie Muskat MESA, Ariz. -- Casey Kelly may lobby the Cubs to let him pitch every time they face the Reds this spring. It gives his dad, Pat, who is manager of the Reds' Double-A team, a chance to watch him. When the Cubs faced the Reds in Mesa on Friday, Casey tweeted a photo of the two: "Very lucky to have @pdk41 as my pops and even more lucky to be playing against his team in spring training"

This is one of the few springs that Casey and Pat have been in the same state. "I don't think he ever saw me pitch live -- maybe a couple times when we played them," Casey Kelly said of his days with the Padres. "Last year, I was in Florida with the Braves. It was kind of cool to have him out there and watch me pitch." Plus, Pat Kelly, 61, offers his son a few pointers when he can. Pat's Major League career consisted of three games in 1980 with the Blue Jays. A catcher, he made his debut in May 1980, and played his final game five days later. This year will be his third as the Pensacola manager. Casey remembers visiting his dad in the Minor Leagues every summer. "I'd hang out with his team all summer," Casey said. "I was hitting in the cage, fielding ground balls, but I thought it was fun. I was out there playing around. Once I got to high school and started taking it seriously, he'd help me out, hitting in the cage, thinking about different gameplans in the box. He's definitely helped me in my baseball career." The younger Kelly was an infielder when he was a first-round Draft pick by the Red Sox in 2008, and was then converted to pitcher. His father was part of that conversation. "He always wanted me to be a catcher when I was growing up," Casey said. "But I said I was too much of an athlete to be a catcher." -- Cubs.com Lester's daughter gets award-worthy name By Carrie Muskat SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Cubs pitcher Jon Lester made his spring debut in Sunday's 9-9 tie with Texas, but the bigger news wasn't that he went two innings or that he's rooting for his former catcher David Ross in "Dancing with the Stars." Lester and his wife, Farrah, named their daughter -- born Nov. 29 -- Cy Elizabeth, and the left-hander wanted to make it clear that had nothing to do with the top pitching award. "It's more of a coincidence than anything," Lester said. "It's not after Cy Young." It wouldn't be that odd. After all, Ben Zobrist's daughter, named Blaise Royal, was born right after Zobrist and the Royals won the World Series. Lester did finish second in the balloting for the Cy Young Award last year, after posting a 19-5 record and 2.44 ERA in 32 starts. "When we got pregnant with [son] Hudson [in 2010], that was our girl name if it was a girl," Lester said. "That name has been in the works for a long time. We call her Cy Elizabeth, not just Cy." Of course, if Lester had won the award instead of the Nationals' Max Scherzer, and they stuck with the name, there might have been even more questions. "I was a little worried about that, with the year and all that stuff and the voting," Lester said. "We had talked about it. I don't want to do anything like that -- we wouldn't want to do anything like that. "[Cy] is a name we really liked," he said. "It's a double name, it's not just Cy. The Elizabeth is a big family name on both sides, and all of our kids have the family names in the middle." --

CSNChicago.com What To Make Of Jeimer Candelario, The Breakout Star Of Cubs Camp So Far By Tony Andracki MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs have won the World Series. They have an everyday lineup packed with young position players that aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Sprinkle in a few veterans and the Cubs' big-league roster is already overflowing with talent, to the point where everybody's favorite barroom game right now is trying to figure out how everybody plays. So why don't we throw another name in there? Jeimer Candelario is enjoying a breakout spring for the Cubs, leading the team in hits, (8), runs (5), games played (9) and at-bats (24) through the first week-and-a-half of game action. The 23-year-old infielder has five hits in six at-bats in the Cubs' last two games before leaving Sunday's game after getting hit on the ankle with a pitch against the Texas Rangers. He was a homer shy of the cycle on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. "He's just different this year," Joe Maddon said. "He's more comfortable. ... He watches, he listens, he's quiet, but he's engaged. He's engaged really well. He's gonna be a nice player." This is actually Candelario's second big-league camp with the Cubs and he made his major-league debut — and appeared in five games — as an injury call-up during the first week of July last year. Maddon sees a guy that's more comfortable in his "major-league skin," an assessment Candelario agreed with. He said he feels more comfortable in the clubhouse, surrounded by players and coaches he already knows in a situation he's already been through. "The way they take care of you — the teammates, how they treat you, how they respect you and how they go about your business," Candelario said, "it really gives you confidence and good rhythm here in big-league camp. "When you don't know everybody well, you are kinda quiet and in your own spot. But right now, I know everybody here and I feel confidence and I feel blessed to be here with these great teammates and great people and great talent." Candelario exploded in spring training last year, too, hitting .350 with a 1.056 OPS and seven extra-base hits (four doubles, three homers). But then he was sent back down to the minors — Double-A Tennessee, to be exact — where he struggled to the tune of a .219 average and .690 OPS in 56 games. He finished the year on a tear after being called up to Triple-A Iowa in June, hitting .333 with a .959 OPS in 76 games. "Love the guy," Maddon said. "He showed it to us last spring. I think he went out at the beginning of last season and might've applied a little bit too much pressure to himself. Finally, the numbers righted themselves by the end of the year. "... I think part of it was, he did so well here and then goes back. These are kids. The expectations they fill themselves with, sometimes, are unrealistic, like 'Oh, I did well in spring training, it should be easy.' Then all of a sudden, it's not and then you start to panic. "I have a lot of faith in this kid. ... For me, the maturation for him is he feels good in his own skin. When that happens, heads up. It's like finding your voice; he's not quite there yet, but he's approaching that Stage 3: I belong here, I can do this.

"He's getting real close to that, from what I can gather. And once he really arrives there, heads up, 'cause he's got some big-boy tools." Candelario's Triple-A explosion last season netted him spots on Baseball America's Top 10 Cubs prospects (7th) and Baseball Prospectus (5th). He did not appear on BP's 2016 list and came in at 10th on BA's rankings. Candelario has been almost exclusively a third baseman as he climbed the ranks in the Cubs system, but he played 12 games at first base last year and started there in the place of Anthony Rizzo (tight back) Saturday and Sunday in Cactus League play. Which brings us to where he fits in the big picture with the Cubs. When you start rattling off the names of guys who can play third base (Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, Tommy La Stella, even Ben Zobrist and Munenori Kawasaki), it seems like a really tough spot for Candelario to crack, even if Maddon loves his defense at the hot corner. But if Rizzo went down for an extended period of time, Candelario figures to be toward the top of the list as a first base replacement if the Cubs deem his bat ready. Maddon already confirmed Bryant and Baez are the backup first basemen at the big-league level right now, but if Candelario keeps hitting the way he has, he may force his way into the lineup if a need arises. Even in the outfield, though he's never played there in the six seasons he's been in the Cubs system. "He's the kinda guy you could put in the outfield if you wanted to, but he's so good on the dirt, you'd probably like to leave him there," Maddon said. "However, if the bat comes and these spots are taken, then you do something else." -- CSNChicago.com Jon Lester Doesn't See Why Throwing To Willson Contreras Will Be An Issue By Tony Andracki SURPRISE, Ariz. — Who? Jon Lester pretended he didn't know who a reporter was talking about in regards to a question about former personal catcher David Ross' upcoming spin on "Dancing with the Stars." That's how much Lester cares — at least outwardly — about which catcher he's working with right now. Lester made his spring debut Sunday, throwing two innings to Willson Contreras, giving up two runs on three hits with a strikeout. Lester has spent most of the last four years throwing exclusively to Ross, who is soaking up the limelight in retirement. Last season, Lester threw three innings to Contreras across the span of two games and while the results were not encouraging — he allowed five runs on five hits and four walks — Lester believes a full spring of reps with the young catcher will help. "Willy does a great job," Lester said. "I think it was hard on him coming in last year and not really catching a lot of guys and being a part of getting to know us and just getting thrown into the situation. "Now we get to do a full spring with him. Obviously spring training is a little different — you don't have a scouting report, you don't have anything to go off of. You're just trying to go out there and trying to get through it and see what he feels comfortable with back there.

"I'll shake to some pitches here and there, but mainly just let him go about his deal and we'll figure it out. It's just a matter of throwing and innings and pitches and all that stuff. I'm not concerned with it at all. "Willy's such a good kid and he cares and he wants to learn, he wants to get better. I don't see any reason why this is ever going to be an issue for anybody." Lester also balked at any notion of the running game emerging as a thorn in his side with Ross — who was adept at throwing out runners and fielding bunts in front of home plate, even in his age-39 season — now in the Cubs front office. But remember: Contreras is the catcher the Cubs went to in the World Series when they wanted to slow down the Cleveland Indians' aggressive run game, as he drew every start behind the plate besides the times Ross was paired up with Lester. "I forgot how good of an arm he's got until that throw down to second base," Lester said. "I gotta remember to get the hell out of the way. It's coming by pretty quick. "It's definitely impressive to see him and his abilities. I don't think it will be an issue. Willy will take care of it." As for how he feels after his first time throwing in a game since the World Series clincher, the 33-year-old lefty said he was mostly "just trying to get through it." He felt good warming up, sitting back down and then going out for a second inning of work, mainly firing fastballs in an effort to build up arm strength/stamina again. "I think every year is just unique," he said. "The recovery and the workouts in between, you have to stay on and make sure. When you're younger, you can skip a day here and there and think you need a breather, but when you get older, I don't think you can take that time. You just need to keep your body moving at all times. "My arm feels fine, knock on wood. Nothing really came up last year as far as arm issues or anything like that. Just keep going forward. [Cubs pitching coach Chris Bosio] has done such a good job with us this spring and hopefully that continues going forward." Asked whether he would love to duplicate his 2016 season — arguably the best season of his 11-year career — as he works up to his Opening Day start, Lester chuckled and had a simple answer all ready: "Hell yeah, man." -- CSNChicago.com Joe Maddon Believes Javy Baez Came To Cubs Camp With A Purpose By Tony Andracki Joe Maddon sees a sense of purpose in Cubs camp from Javy Baez. Baez — the breakout star of the postseason — was in the starting lineup hitting leadoff and playing second base Sunday in his final game with the Cubs before leaving to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. It's the sixth spring game for Baez out of the Cubs' nine days of Cactus League action and he's picked up where he left off, making dazzling plays in the field and showing off that all-world bat speed as he gears up to play for his home country. A thumb injury kept Baez from joining the Cubs at the start of the 2016 season, so this would represent the spring training leading up to his first full season in the big leagues.

Still, Maddon doesn't see any issue with Baez leaving to spend the next couple weeks with Puerto Rico. "He knows what we're doing here," Maddon said before Sunday's game. "Watch him play; he's been playing deeper into the game. You see how well he's been playing, how hard he's been playing. "He came here with a purpose to get ready for this. I have no problem with it. We are really simple with our methods, so he's already gotten all the layers he needs — what we do as a group, as a team defensively, offensively. He's gotten everything that we do." Of course, Maddon and the Cubs will be monitoring Baez's health in the WBC, but they're not worried about him missing time given it's his third spring with this coaching staff. "He's a big boy," Maddon said. "He gets it." -- Chicago Tribune John Lackey ready to say hello to 2017 with first spring training start By Paul Skrbina John Lackey farewell tour is unlikely to occur whenever the 38-year-old right-hander decides to call it quits. Lackey is in the final year of a two-year, $32 million deal with the Cubs and is scheduled to make his first start of the spring Monday against the Angels, whom he helped to a World Series title during his rookie season in 2002. “He hasn’t said anything to us,” Lackey’s teammate Jon Lester said Sunday after making his first start in a 9-9 tie against the Rangers. “He probably just won’t show up next year if he does retire.” The pomp and circumstance doesn’t fit Lackey’s personality, but Lester wasn’t about to speculate about when the right-hander might be done. Lackey was 11-8 with a 3.35 ERA in 188 1/3 innings over 29 regular-season starts last year. He struggled at times during the Cubs’ postseason run to World Series title, his third to go along with the one he helped the Red Sox win in 2013. Lester said Lackey “feels good” and that his longevity likely will boil down to how his body feels. “That’s what it comes down to, if he’s physically able to keep up with it,” Lester said. “He’s got a lot of miles on that arm.” An arm that underwent a facelift in 2012 when Lackey had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. Including 140 1/3 postseason innings, Lackey has pitched 2,810 during his 14-season career. He’s the only pitcher in baseball history to be credited with a victory in World Series-clinching games for two different teams, which he did for the Angels and Red Sox. -- Chicago Tribune Jon Lester still in feeling-out phase with Willson Contreras as his catcher By Paul Skrbina The new baby's name is Cy Elizabeth Lester. The new catcher's name is Willson Contreras.

But Jon Lester insisted he's the same old Jon Lester, even after he and his wife, Farrah, had their third child not long after the Cubs won the World Series in November. "We were done after two and ending up having a third," Lester said with a laugh Sunday after his first start of spring training. He also hopes to be the same pitcher he was last season, when he had a career-best 19-5 record to go with his 2.44 ERA in 2022/3 innings during the regular season and started Game 1 of every postseason series. "Hell, yeah," he said. "I would love to have about 15 of those (seasons)." But with his personal catcher, David Ross, now retired and writing books and preparing for "Dancing With the Stars," Lester will have to do it with Contreras behind the plate. The soon-to-be 25-year-old was anointed Lester's pitching chauffeur early during spring training. Minus side sessions on far-away fields in the desert, the two had just three innings of experience working together — a five-run, five-hit, three-walk disaster against the Pirates on July 9. This time it didn't count as Lester allowed three hits and two runs while throwing 36 pitches in two innings Sunday. As far as he's concerned, it's the time he's spending with Contreras that counts the most before he starts on opening day April 2 in St. Louis. "I forgot how good of an arm he has until that first throw down to second base," Lester said. "I have to remember to get the hell out of the way." That's exactly what Lester plans to do with runners on base. His well-documented struggles with holding runners, fielding bunts and throwing to first haven't disappeared. So the plan is to let Contreras take care of that whenever possible, much like Ross did. "That's all on Willy," Lester said. "That's what he does. "I'm not concerned at all. Willy's such a good kid. He cares. He wants to learn. He wants to get better. I don't see why this is going to ever be an issue for anybody." Lester and Contreras are still in the feeling-out phase of their working relationship, but the former is not concerned about comfort. "I'll shake a few pitches here and there, but mainly I let him go about his deal," Lester said. "We'll figure it out. It's just a matter of throwing and innings and pitches." Contreras handled with aplomb the news he would be not only Lester's personal catcher, but also the Cubs' primary catcher ahead of veteran Miguel Montero. Contreras homered on the first pitch he saw in his big-league debut last season. Before that game he promised, "From now on (the Cubs) are going to have a really nice player." "I have confidence in myself," Contreras told the Tribune's Mark Gonzales in February. "I know what he wants to do. All that matters is getting to know (him). He has been great the last three to four years, so we have to keep doing it." As for Lester's daughter, who was born in late November, the four-time All-Star said her name has nothing to do with the Cy Young Award. He finished second in the National League voting to the Nationals' Max Scherzer last season.

He said the couple, who have two sons, had decided on the name long ago. Their plans, though, might have changed had Lester won his first Cy Young. "I was a little worried about that, with the year and the voting," Lester said. "We had talked about it. I didn't want to do anything like that. It was just a name we really liked." And Willson Contreras has a game Lester really likes. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs not worried about Javier Baez missing time for World Baseball Classic By Paul Skrbina Cubs manager Joe Maddon is more than willing to pardon the interruption. The way he and infielder Javier Baez see it, the latter playing for Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic can't hurt — unless Baez gets hurt. Maddon's prized defensive pupil played his last spring training game for the Cubs on Sunday before heading to Scottsdale, Ariz., to join Team Puerto Rico for what could be more than two weeks, depending on how far it advances in the WBC. Aside from the usual injury concerns, Maddon said he's confident not being in camp won't stunt Baez's progress. "I have no problem with it whatsoever. He's a big boy," Maddon said. "He gets it. He knows what's we're doing here. ... We are really simple in our methods. "Everybody's always concerned about your player's health once they leave. But that's everybody's concern." Baez shrugged off any injury paranoia and said he's excited to represent his country with his childhood friend and World Series foe, Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. The two have been playing against each other since they were 7, and their families are close. "Everything happens for a reason," Baez said. "If ... somebody gets hurt, it's something you can't help and you can't control." Baez also hasn't been able to control where he has played defensively, but he has his preference. "I want to have my position," Baez said. "If I rotate, it won't matter. I'm used to it. But I want to play second base. I've been doing great." Baez played 51 games each at second and third during the regular season last year and 24 at shortstop. But he started all 17 postseason games at second. Russell takes breather: Shortstop Addison Russell had been penciled in the cleanup spot Sunday morning, but Maddon gave him a day of precautionary rest after Russell took a pitch off his left arm Saturday. "Watching him take BP, he thought he was going to be fine. He felt it," Maddon said. "I said, 'Why do it? Don't do it. Stay back and get some ice on it.' There's nothing to it." Rizzo returning: In other aches-and-pains news, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who has been absent from the lineup since Friday because of lower-back stiffness, is expected to play Monday against the Angels. Rizzo has been taking batting practice, and Maddon said he has another motive for wanting to return: He wants to play against Team Italy in an exhibition Tuesday.

"He doesn't want to miss the paisans," Maddon said. -- Chicago Tribune Sunday's recap: Cubs 9, Rangers 9 By Paul Skrbina Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. hit a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Rangers on Sunday, a day after Kris Bryant did the same, during a 9-9 tie at Surprise Stadium. Tommy La Stella also homered and drove in two runs in front of 11,048 fans. Jon Lester allowed three hits, two runs and struck out one on 36 pitches in his first Cactus League start. At the plate: Jeimer Candelario followed a three-hit day Saturday with two more Sunday. But he was hit by a pitch on his lower left leg in the sixth after Willson Contreras' two-run homer and left the game. The Cubs said Candelario has a bruise and no X-rays were planned. On the mound: In his Cubs debut, closer Wade Davis allowed a walk and three singles to the first four batters he faced. He struck out Rougned Odor looking but was pulled after that. He was charged with three runs. In the field: Almora made a diving catch in left-center for the third out of the first, robbing Nomar Mazara of extra bases. The quote: "I'm not trying to sell a T-shirt." — Cubs manager Joe Maddon after describing spring training as being about the body in the beginning, then the mind and then the heart. Up next: at Angels, 2:10 p.m. Monday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. RH Jake Arrieta vs. RH Jesse Chavez. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs 'getting the band together' as spring training rolls on By Paul Skrbina Baseball’s version of March Madness includes a dance, too, according to Cubs manager Joe Maddon. “We wanted it to be a slow dance and it’s been that,” he said Saturday. “Now they’re ready to go. The timing is perfect.” Perfect for, as Maddon said, “getting the band together … over the course of the next couple of weeks.” Maddon plans to start using his regulars more as the season opener approaches. That includes getting his pitchers in order. Kyle Hendricks opened the show Saturday with his first start since Game 7 of the World Series four months ago. Jon Lester will follow Sunday against the Rangers. Jake Arrieta and John Lackey are next in line after that, on Monday and Tuesday, when Anthony Rizzo is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out since Friday with lower back stiffness. “I just walked by him and he said he’s fine,” Maddon said of Rizzo. Speaking of dancing, Maddon also complimented the skills of Munenori Kawasaki. He also mentioned shortstop Addison Russell as a candidate for “Dancing with the Stars,” a show on which retired catcher David Ross will appear.

With reliever Travis Wood gone, Russell said he has taken over as the team’s best dancer. “I like to express myself through dance,” Russell said. “That would be a great opportunity. There was some stiff competition between me and Travis Wood last year. Now, I probably have it.” --