Samardzija aims to put an end to Cubs' slide
(Wed, 23 May 2012 01:45:00 -0400)
The Cubs' struggles have followed them on their six-game road trip as they look to avoid their third consecutive sweep when they close out a three-game set with the Astros on Wednesday. Jeff Samardzija gets the ball opposite Houston lefty Wandy Rodriguez.

Cubs can't back Wood as skid reaches eight
(Wed, 23 May 2012 00:37:00 -0400)
New pitcher, same story for the Cubs. Jose Altuve hit a leadoff home run and J.D. Martinez delivered a tiebreaking RBI single in the sixth inning to lift the Astros to a 2-1 victory Tuesday night over the offensively challenged Cubs, who lost their eighth straight.

Rizzo scores five runs, ties Iowa record
(Tue, 22 May 2012 22:35:02 -0400)


LaHair out of starting lineup, but enters in sixth
(Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 -0400)
Bryan LaHair got most of Tuesday off. The first baseman, who is 1-for-20 in his last seven games, did not start against the Astros to get what Cubs manager Dale Sveum called a "mental breather." LaHair has started 36 of 43 games, but he did enter as a defensive sub in the sixth.

Hill working hard to learn new pitchers
(Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 -0400)
Koyie Hill knows most of the Cubs' pitchers, so the transition from catching young Double-A pitchers to the big leagues has been relatively easy. It also helps that he's the father of two young girls.

Castillo lands on DL with sprained right MCL
(Tue, 22 May 2012 20:01:00 -0400)
Catcher Welington Castillo was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to Saturday, with a sprained MCL in his right knee, which opened a roster spot for lefty Travis Wood, who started Tuesday against the Astros.

Hall of Famer Jenkins to represent Cubs at Draft
(Tue, 22 May 2012 12:25:00 -0400)
Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins will be the Cubs' representative at the First-Year Player Draft, to be held June 4.

Garza unable to stop Cubs' losing streak
(Tue, 22 May 2012 00:45:00 -0400)
Matt Garza fell victim to two three-run homers and worked just three innings as the Cubs, shut out for the second straight game, dropped an 8-4 decision to the Astros in Houston on Monday for their seventh straight loss.

Wells 'excited' for opportunity to help every day
(Mon, 21 May 2012 23:52:00 -0400)
Randy Wells had yet to make an appearance for the Cubs since being called up from Triple-A Iowa but was eager to get started in his new role as a relief pitcher.

Wood back for extended stay in rotation
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:50:00 -0400)
Travis Wood, who made a spot start May 6 for Matt Garza, when he was ill, will step into the Cubs' rotation on Tuesday against the Astros, filling Chris Volstad's spot.

Right-handed lineup gets more time to produce
(Mon, 21 May 2012 19:50:00 -0400)
Cubs manager Dale Sveum considered altering his lineup but decided not to, for now, as he continues to look for ways generate more runs.

Maholm off his game while Cubs blanked
(Sun, 20 May 2012 19:50:00 -0400)
Cubs starter Paul Maholm allowed five runs over 6 1/3 innings and the offense was held to five hits in a 6-0 loss to the White Sox on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Soriano producing despite pain in knee
(Sun, 20 May 2012 13:56:16 -0400)
Alfonso Soriano's knee is most uncomfortable when the weather is cold, he said on Sunday. Now that it's warming up, he's feeling better.

Marmol, Clevenger set for rehab assignments
(Sun, 20 May 2012 13:56:14 -0400)
Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol and catcher Steve Clevenger will begin rehab assignments this week at Triple-A Iowa, but neither are expected to rejoin the big league team until after next weekend.

Rizzo impressing with Triple-A Iowa
(Sun, 20 May 2012 13:56:00 -0400)
The Cubs' offense has struggled this season, but one player who hasn't is Anthony Rizzo, who is batting .353 in 40 games at Triple-A Iowa. Could the first baseman join the big league team soon?

Parker exits with tightness in right hamstring
(Sat, 19 May 2012 22:53:00 -0400)
Cubs rookie reliever Blake Parker had to leave Saturday's game with tightness in his right hamstring and is day to day.

Dempster's issues magnified by lack of offense
(Sat, 19 May 2012 22:14:00 -0400)
Ryan Dempster fell behind early, including allowing consecutive homers in the third, and the Cubs had no answer for their crosstown rivals in a 7-4 loss to the White Sox on Saturday night at Wrigley Field.

Gammons: Injuries kept Wood from greatness
(Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 -0400)
Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout performance just five starts into his career showed how dominant he could be, but injuries kept him from reaching his full potential.

Wood officially says goodbye on his terms
(Sat, 19 May 2012 18:49:00 -0400)
On Saturday, Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood made it official, formally announcing his retirement in a brief and intimate ceremony at Wrigley Field.

Carrie Muskat's MLBlog
(Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:52:29 -0400)