"It means everything."
Hall of Fame grants Andre Dawson's wish to recast his plaque in Cooperstown. He will now have a blank cap, rather than the former Montreal Expos logo.
Homers aren't the only path to more slug, as Nico Hoerner showed down the stretch last season. But, you know, homers like the one he just hit in Mesa still work, too.
Cubs notebook: Hodge (right flexor strain) expected to open on the IL, plus other injury updates and camp reductions ⤵️
Jordan Wicks is still advancing in a throwing program, but expectation is he will also open on the IL, per Counsell.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Porter Hodge is dealing with a right flexor strain. Will be shut down for a couple weeks before being re-evaluated. Will open season on the IL.
Cubs roster reductions:
• Riley Martin, Jack Neely, Ben Cowles and James Triantos optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
• Pedro Ramirez optioned to Double-A Knoxville.
• Grant Kipp, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz and Jaxon Wiggins returned to Minor League camp.
It was a “thrill” for Craig Counsell to see his son’s pro debut with the D-backs. More on a special moment for father and son in Arizona.
Story with @stevegilbertmlb.bsky.social ⤵️
Brady Counsell drew a walk against Luke Little in his first professional plate appearance, in front of his dad, Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Fittingly, the matchup was Little-Counsell.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell and his son, D-backs prospect Brady Counsell, before Thursday’s game. Exchanged lineup cards ahead of what could be Brady’s pro debut.
I'll check it out. That's not my area, but I can look into it. Thanks!
"It's a hard one for everybody to wrap their head around."
Cubs fans, get acquainted with Edward Cabrera's "gross" and "nasty" changeup ⤵️
Craig Counsell's son, Brady, made the trip with the D-backs to Sloan Park to face the Cubs today. If he plays, it will be his professional debut for Arizona, which picked him in the 10th round of last year's draft.
“I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later," quipped the Cubs manager.
Hey Ernie, I'm not sure which story you're referencing?
“To fly across the world, not knowing if I could swing a bat and then have to rehab with them, versus being here, it just didn’t make sense. Especially getting ready for a season, it’s kind of more important to be fully healthy.”
More on Jonathon Long's decision to withdraw from WBC ⤵️
Official: Michael Conforto signs a Minor League deal with non-roster invite. The veteran outfielder has already been in camp going through workouts the past few days with the Cubs.
Catcher Christian Bethancourt (NRI) is in Cubs camp after dealing with visa issues. Will be here for a few days before heading to WBC.
Cubs prospect Jonathon Long has withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic (Chinese Taipei), per Craig Counsell. Long staying in camp to focus on recovery (left elbow sprain) and to compete for MLB bench job.
Counsell said Cade Horton will pitch behind Jameson Taillon in today’s game. Edward Cabrera’s spring debut set for Friday.
Cubs injury notes
• Tyler Austin surgery on right knee (patellar tendon debridement) Tue. Will be out “months” per Counsell.
• Jordan Wicks slowed by left forearm inflammation. Hoping to resume throwing in a few days.
• Jonathon Long recovering slowly from left elbow sprain. WBC decision pending.
Weird sequence in Scottsdale.
Not long after false alarm in ballpark -- instructing fans to evacuate -- Giants pulled off weird triple play. Suzuki singled to RF, thrown out at 2B. Bregman caught between 2B/3B, tagged out at 3B, where Shaw was on bag. Shaw walked off the base... also tagged out.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Moisés Ballesteros is in the States after dealing with visa issues in Venezeula. He's had travel delays getting to AZ, but is en route.
Counsell said it would likely be a week or so before Ballesteros is in a game. But not expecting this to impact OD roster chances.
Seiya Suzuki, who leaves for Team Japan on Monday, homered in his first AB of the spring.
Fun fact: He has now homered in 8 of his last 13 games (9 homers total) dating back to ‘25 season and playoffs.
Happy (Spring Training) Opening Day!
First Cubs 9 of ‘26 ⤵️
Minor League coaching staffs for the Cubs this season ⤵️
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Moisés Ballesteros (Venezuela) and Christian Bethancourt (Panama) are unlikely to be in camp until the "end of the week or next weekend at the earliest." They have been going through travel delays due to visa issues.
Official: Cubs have signed RHP Shelby Miller to a 2-year deal with a club option for 2028. Miller is expected to miss most (or possibly all) of this season while rehabbing from TJ surgery.
INF Ben Cowles DFA’d to clear a 40-man spot for Miller.
“That intensity that he brings is something that’s really going to help this team. He cares. Like, he’s a baseball junkie.”
More ⤵️
Sir Charles tours Cubs camp, Wiggins throws live BP and other notes ⤵️
📸 from Friday
