D. J. Fitzgerald
Cubs & Giants Share Thrill of Victory, Agony of Defeat
18-year old Taiwanese infielder Pin-Chieh Chen had three hits, knocked-in two runs, and stole a base, leading the Cubs to a 4-2 victory on Field #1, while the Giants rallied with five runs in the 7th to win the other game 5-1 on Field #2, as the EXST Cubs and the EXST Giants split a Cactus League Extended Spring Training doubleheader played at Indian School Park in Scottsdale this morning. Both games were pre-planned to be eight-inning affairs, and the two games were played simultaneously with split squads.
Rebel Ridling (appendectomy rehab) played 1B today (he had been restricted to DH in his previous EXST games), and got a total of seven Plate Appearances in the first seven innings of the game on Field #1. He grounded out to second, lined out to CF, and flied out to CF in his first three at bats, before rapping singles in three of his last four ABs. The HR power might not be there yet, but in most other ways he looks like he might be just about ready to move up to Daytona.
AZL Cubs Rally for Opening Day Victory
20-year old 2B D. J. Fitzgerald had a memoraable pro debut, going 4-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and a stolen base. The Cubs 22nd round pick in the 2009 Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) out of Dyersburg State CC, "DJ Fitz" was a star baseball player at Ocean Lakes HS in Virginia Beach, VA. He signed an NLI with Georgia Southern, but ended up at a Tennessee JC instead.
20-year old RHP Toby Matchulat got the start for the AZL Cubs, and was stellar, throwing four shutout innings (7/1 GO/FO), while allowing just two harmless singles and no walks, with four strikeouts. Matchulat just missed making the Boise Opening Day roster, after having an impressive Extended Spring Training at Fitch Park. An 11th round pick out of Wabash Valley JC in 2008, the lanky 6'5 right-hander struggled big-time with his command in his pro debut last year (29 BB in 18.2 IP), but he has really turned it around this year. Kudos to AZL Cubs Pitching Coach Rick Tronerud and Minor Leagure Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins for helping Matchulat find a better arm slot and a more consistent release point.
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Recent comments
Cubster (view)
So it’s Mervis, Wesn and Little for Cooper, Hendricks and Smyly. Count me in. Starting rotation for now: Taillon, Imanaga, Wicks, Assad and Brown-Wesn. Eventually Steele.
Lineup
Hoerner, Happ, Bellinger, Busch, Morel, Swanson, Tauchman, Mervis, Amaya.
KingKongvsGodzilla (view)
Another year AZPhil, and you have more to do than ever! Heck yeah! Great stuff from Rosario so far. What are your impressions of guys like Freilyn Silverio, Adan Sanchez, Jose Escobar, and Anderson Suriel? Particularly the first two, feel like I’m forgetting one.
fullykräusened (view)
My first thought was that Hendricks was IL'd with a broken ERA, but after some quick research, you're right about MLB making at least some effort to discourage the "phantom IL."
crunch (view)
luke little rejoins the MLB party...
crunch (view)
hendricks IL...lower back...
given recent backlash by MLB, i doubt this is a phanton IL.
wtf...also drew smyly to IL...right hip...
crunch (view)
boston, houston, miami...lots of potential suitors for a backup 1st/DH who won't be pain if they need regular ABs
Childersb3 (view)
BOS 1B Casas just hit the IL. Maybe Cooper goes there.
Cooper leaving does open a 40man spot. Probably for an arm at some point.
Horton?
Maybe Caissie
crunch (view)
now that cooper is gone, who's going to the IL? seems like it will probably be a pitcher at this point.
crunch (view)
can't wait to see what A-ball fringe corner OF/1st he'll be traded for...
Childersb3 (view)
Cooper DFA'd