:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29684951/20140307_ajl_aa9_004.0.jpg)
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- As I noted in yesterday's recap, I am not going to this game, so will be following online with all of you.
A few other notes:
- Starlin Castro is going to "resume baseball activities" next week. That's a week after he suffered the hamstring injury that was going to keep him out of action for a week, but still no word on when he'll play in games again.
- The Reds' Billy Hamilton could revolutionize the game. Yes, but he'll have to get on base before he steals any.
- Ervin Santana is apparently poised to sign a one-year deal with an AL team. Not the Orioles. Not the Royals. Possibilities include the Mariners, Rangers and Blue Jays. But Jon Heyman says an NL team is "still on the fringe of the talks." Cubs? On the other hand, Heyman says the Orioles are in, which contradicts the tweet above. So who knows?
Cubs lineup:
Bonifacio SS, Murphy 3B, Schierholtz RF, Castillo C, Olt 1B, Kalish CF, McDonald LF, Watkins 2B, Hammel P
Reds lineup:
Hamilton CF, Cozart SS, Votto 1B, Bruce RF, Frazier 3B, Mesoraco C, Schumaker 2B, Negron LF, Simon P
This is the first time this spring that pitchers will have batted in a game involving the Cubs, for either side. The Cubs will also get the chance to stop Billy Hamilton from stealing bases today.
Jason Hammel, who started the "B" game against the Giants Monday, makes his first official Cactus League start. Also scheduled for the Cubs: Eric Jokisch, Carlos Pimentel, Marcus Hatley and Neil Ramirez.
Alfredo Simon is scheduled to start for the Reds. Other Reds pitchers scheduled today: Chad Rogers, Nick Christiani, Manny Parra, Sam LeCure, Pedro Beato and Logan Ondrusek.
Today's game is on cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today's game, that will be 2 p.m. CT and 3:30 p.m. CT. These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page. They will also appear in this StoryStream™. The pitcher box and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
Discuss amongst yourselves.