reflections
Cubs place pitchers Wells, Cashner on 15-day DL

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Jeff Stevens from Triple-A Iowa after placing starting pitchers Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner on the 15-day disabled list because of arm injuries.

Right-hander Casey Coleman will pitch against Milwaukee on Sunday, and Cubs manager Mike Quade says left-hander James Russell will start Tuesday at Houston.

Quade says Russell won’t be expected to throw more than a few innings Tuesday, and expects to use multiple relievers behind him.

Wells has a strain in his right forearm, and Cashner has a mild strain in the back of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

That’s all the news for today.

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Szczur stays with Cubs, passes on chance at NFL

In the end, the money was too good to pass up for Villanova’s two-sport standout, Matt Szczur.

On Tuesday, Szczur accepted a $1.5 million bonus to remain with the Chicago Cubs organization and walk away from a possible professional football career, according to multiple sources.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound wide receiver, who was in Florida training for the Senior Bowl, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. His father, Marc, confirmed the deal in an interview with the Press of Atlantic City.

Selected in the fifth round of June’s Major League Baseball draft by the Cubs, the former all-Big East outfielder received a $100,000 signing bonus and played minor-league ball last season. The senior was expected to receive an additional $500,000 for committing completely to the Cubs before February’s NFL scouting combine.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Cubs raised their offer to $1.5 million on Tuesday while visiting Szczur in Florida.

Szczur batted .347 with 10 doubles, two stolen bases and a triple last season in 25 minor-league games combined in the Arizona Rookie League and with the single-A Boise Hawks and Peoria Chiefs.

In July, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said Szczur could be selected as high as the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

“Obviously, if I get drafted for football, I will pursue that,” Szczur said at the time. “If you get drafted in the top five rounds, you are going to secure a spot if you outperform your expectations in camp.”

With that in mind, the 21-year-old from Erma, Cape May County, returned to Villanova for a final season, hoping to impress NFL scouts.

His production was limited by a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for most of the regular season.


Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-8029 or kpompey@phillynews.com.

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Chicago Cubs sign Garza to 1-year deal

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 | 4:46 PM ET

The Associated Press

Matt Garza was traded to the Cubs in an eight-player deal on Jan. 7. He could be the opening-day pitcher.Matt Garza was traded to the Cubs in an eight-player deal on Jan. 7. He could be the opening-day pitcher. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Right-hander Matt Garza, who could be the Cubs opening-day pitcher after being acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay last week, agreed to a $5.95 million, one-year contract Tuesday and avoided arbitration.

Garza made $3.35 million last season, when he was 15-10 for the Rays.

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Cubs’ scheme to overhaul Wrigley includes underground bunkers

Hole-y cow, the people who run the Chicago Cubs have lost their minds. As the team finishes making bizarre (if temporary) tweaks to Wrigley Field for this weekend’s Big Ten football clash, the Ricketts family continues to lobby for financial assistance in order to make the major renovations it says the ballpark needs for the long haul.

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Cubs weigh options on new first baseman

The Cubs are in the early stages in their search for a new first baseman. General manager Jim Hendry said Tuesday he and his staff sorted out the various options during the organizational meetings last week in Arizona.

There is the quick update of the day.

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Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg wonders if Chicago Cubs gave him a fair shot

Ryne Sandberg was asked Tuesday if he believed the Chicago Cubs gave him a fair shake during the interview process for their managerial position, and Sandberg sounded as if he didn’t believe his candidacy was taken seriously.

There is the quick update of the day.

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