What We’re Reading (3/6/13)

Throughout the 2013 baseball season, the Smokies on Radio staff will be rolling out all the Cubs, Smokies, and baseball news each weekday. To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page.

Marmol Likely to be Traded Before Opening Day

Bruce Levine / ESPN Chicago

It appears Cubs closer Carlos Marmol has thrown his last regular season pitch for the organization after news broke Tuesday that Marmol is likely to be traded before Opening Day.  Several teams are said to be interested in the young closer, with the Detroit Tigers being the most interested after the club allowed Jose Valverde to enter free agency this past offseason.

Marmol will earn nearly $10 million this season and can opt for free agency this coming offseason.  The Cubs closer can also veto a deal to four West Coast teams, but Marmol would likely waive the clause if he were traded to a contender.

Feldman Shaky as Cubs Lose to Rockies, 6-3

Owen Perkins / MLB.com

Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman worked off the rust Tuesday during his second outing of spring training as he allowed four runs on six hits over 2-plus innings of work in the Cubs loss to the Rockies.

“If you’re going to have an outing like today, it’s a good thing to have it in spring and not the regular season,” Feldman said. “It’s an opportunity to kind of sit back and look at things and what I need to work on and make a little bit of adjustment. From where I am right now, second start of spring, I’m just happy I feel good and my fastball is where it needs to be.”

Stewart’s Hope of Making Cubs Looks Slim

Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune

Cubs third baseman Ian Stewart, who is currently battling a left quad injury, did some light jogging on Tuesday and hopes to return to the Cubs’ lineup soon.  But the question is whether there will be a spot for Stewart to return to as Luis Valbuena has looked good during the spring, batting .417 and playing all around the infield.

“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a big question, because there just aren’t that many at-bats (once he returns)” manager Dale Sveum said. “You have to be very productive in those at-bats. (Luis) Valbuena has been playing and doing a really good job.”

Sveum said Stewart will probably get 20-to-30 Cactus League at-bats and will spend time at minor league camp to get extra at-bats.

Villanueva to Begin Season in Cubs Rotation

Carrie Muskat / Cubs.com

With injuries to projected starters Matt Garza and Scott Baker, Cubs pitcher Carlos Villanueva spend roughly the first month of the season in the rotation.

“I’m kind of bummed out for Garza, knowing how he missed time last year at the end,” Villanueva said Monday. “It’s not the way you want to start the season.”

Villanueva, who signed with the Cubs this past offseason, has compiled 56 career starts with a 16-22 record and a 4.80 ERA.

Rizzo Looking to Make a Mark With Team Italy

Patrick Mooney / CSN Chicago

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo arrived for the World Baseball Classic with his Italian teammates Monday morning and hopes to “shock some people” as part of the Italian team.

“It’s going to be a nice challenge,” Rizzo said.  “Although it’s not USA, I think it will still be cool to participate in something like this.”

Dominican Republic Records 28 Hits in 15-2 Win over Phillies

Frankie Garcia / SportsWorldReport.com

The Dominicans roughed up the Philadelphia Phillies and Cole Hamels, as the left-hander went 2.2 innings and gave up eight earned runs on 12 hits.  Hanley Ramirez went 4-6 with 3 RBIs and a home run while scoring three runs.  Miguel Tejada also went 4-6 scoring two runs and driving in two.

 

Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Associate for the Smokies Radio Network.  You can follow him on Twitter here: @NickRoark4.