Cubs drop opener to Reds as lame duck GM Hendry stalls Zambrano’s contract talks
The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Cubs. A $300 million off-season spending spree, the hire of all-world manager Lou Piniella and the breaking news that billionaire Sam Zell will buy the Tribune Company, only to sell the Cubs at season's end all had little impact Monday, as the Cubs picked up where they left off last year, dropping a lackluster season opener 5-1 to the Reds.
Prior reluctantly accepts Triple-A demotion
Mark Prior will start the season with Triple-A Iowa and he didn't go down without a fight. In fact, the delicate starter put on "quite the crying game" when Cubs manager Lou Piniella broke the news to him in a meeting earlier this week.
Cubs-Diamondbacks exhibition game to feature female umpire
As the calendar approaches April, many baseball players are eager to start the regular season. But single players on the Cubs took their sights off opening day after hearing a female umpire will be on the field when the team faces the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday.
Cubs petition league to use four outfielders
After watching Cliff Floyd and Alfonso Soriano team up for three errors in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies, the Cubs petitioned the league to allow them to use four outfielders on defense during the season.
Neifi Perez surprises himself, makes Tigers opening day roster
After receiving a daily dose of home cooking from manager Dusty Baker when he was with the Cubs, journeyman Neifi Perez got a taste of humble pie when he was shipped to Detroit at last year's trade deadline, batting a paltry .200 in 21 games with the Tigers.
Kerry ‘Balsa’ Wood to start season on DL again
Just as sure as day becomes night, and winter turns to spring, arm trouble is sending Kerry Wood to the disabled list for his annual season-opening visit, the Cubs announced Monday. This is Wood's 216th career trip to the DL.
Wood and Prior earn new spot on Cubs payroll
Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have only been useful to the Cubs in recent years. This season will be different, the team insists. The Cubs intend to get new value out of the fragile tandem by relegating them to clean-up duties in Wrigley Field's famed bleachers this season.