Cubs

Preferring to sign aging veterans to multi-million dollar contracts rather than utilizing his young talent, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has taken a 180-degree turn this spring by assuring Matt Murton and Ryan Theriot--who both showed promise as rookies in '06--the team has made them an uncharacteristic commitment despite off-season signings of Cliff Floyd, Daryle Ward and Mark DeRosa.

Despite another awful outing this weekend in Cactus League play, Mark Prior locked up a starting spot with Class A Daytona Cubs. Prior gave up four runs on four hits--including a home run--against the lowly Royals, punching his one-way ticket to the minors, where he will start Thursday.

Arizona winters may be a relaxing experience for many people seeking refuge from the cold, but nothing can be further from the truth when it comes to oft-injured Kerry Wood. In fact, the Cubs' paper-mache pitcher has been shut down once again with a right triceps strain after experiencing windburn from a slight breeze in Mesa.

The fire inside Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano has always made him a showman on the field, causing him to break bats over his leg and throw trademark temper tantrums on the mound. But the right-hander plans to intentionally entertain fans with his behavior this season, promising "thrills and spills" much like the one he exhibited in a spring training game Monday against the San Francisco Giants when he tripped after rounding second base.

Sammy Sosa really doesn't want to talk about his time with the Cubs, but he will once it translates into attention from reporters. In fact, the newest member of the Texas Rangers panicked once sports reporters began to disperse after Sosa initially declined to comment about his time with the North Siders.

Touted by Cubs brass as the next great outfield prospect for what seems like a decade, Felix Pie's shot at the big leagues doesn't seem to be nearing any time soon. Even after a hot spring, Pie's hopes to be roaming the Wrigley Field outfield when the season starts still appear remote.

In February, ex-Cub and current Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. covertly received a box of illegal steroids that had been mailed to the home of a friend Matthews has known since grade school, and seemed to have gotten away with it. This week, however, a $15 rebate claim form bearing Matthews' name, signature and real address was received by the product's manufacturer. The product's order number and serial number as written on the form are said to match those of the package delivered to Matthews' friend Joey Adamley of Tuscon, Ariz.