Cub Tracks is wild in the zone

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we like to keep things brief on the principle that it makes us appear wise. We don’t always, but we like to.

That game didn’t start out well. The gopher balls need flat-out to go back to the simCubs. It would be nice if the home plate ump called strikes strikes. Also, it would be nice if the Cubs swung at strikes. Or learned to hit sliders. Or some thing.

Maybe they should start the games in the second inning from now on. Arg. Maybe the third. Yeesh.

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Trevor Kelley was released.

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs try to ‘hold on to the positives’ in loss. “Chicago unable to rally behind Kris Bryant grand slam, Willson Contreras home run.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Zach Davies, Trevor Megill tell tale of two former Padres. “... feel free to panic about Davies.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Former Chicago Cubs closer Hector Rondon is retiring. “... according to Chris Cotillo.”
• Mike McGraw (Daily Herald* {$}): Cubs’ Contreras gives assessment of Zach Davies’ struggles on the mound. “From what I’m seeing is he’s been missing location a lot,” Contreras said before Tuesday’s game.
• NBC Sports Chicago*: Cubs’ Austin Romine (wrist) could be out until midseason. “The Cubs estimate at least “several weeks” before Romine can resume baseball activities, which shuts him down until at least mid-May.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Why can’t right-handers hit changeups? 3 takeaways from the Cubs’ 2-hit performance in a 5-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. “If anything, we all feel fortunate that we’re not 10 games out of first place. That’s a positive,” said Jason Heyward.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Network*): Cubs notebook: Leadoff Rizzo, Happ’s mental day off and injury report. “I’ve been working on my speed,” a smiling Rizzo said.
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Nico Hoerner may get an extended look with the Chicago Cubs if Javier Báez heads to the injured list — and his teammates approve. “This guy needs to be in the lineup on a daily basis,” Willson Contreras said Tuesday.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs not ruling out trip to injured list for shortstop Javy Baez. “Baez missed his second consecutive game Tuesday with a strained left hamstring.” Update — No IL for Javy. He went through agility drills, took ground balls and batting practice.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs already know it could be a lot worse. What would happen without Kris Bryant and Javier Báez? "Inconsistency has so far been the defining feature of this Cubs team...”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Bryant enjoying Bryzzo while it lasts. “We have each other to lean on, and it might be the last time we get to use each other for resources like that.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Ugly confluence of grounders, strikeouts proving Ian Happ’s struggles aren’t just bad luck. “... his 9.1% barrel rate is the lowest of his career and ranks seventh among Cubs with at least 20 plate appearances this season.”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): Five changes I’d already make to the preseason Cubs prospect rankings. “In less than one week, minor league baseball will finallllly return.”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!