March 8, 2017

 Cubs.com, Lackey glad to get into game routine vs. Italy http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218378020/john-lackey-makes-1st-spring-start-vs-italy/

 Cubs.com, Uehara's goal: Pitch 10 years in Majors http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218346138/koji-uehara-wants-to-pitch-2-more-years-in-mlb/

 Cubs.com, Cubs name 20 fans to present rings http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218331878/cubs-name-world-series-ring-bearer-fan-winners/

 Cubs.com, Maddon sees no better time for Classic http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218359098/joe-maddon-wbc-timing-as-good-as-it-can-be/

 Cubs.com, Andreoli has fun playing for Italy in win vs. Cubs http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/218400446/rob-segedin-homers-as-italy-beats-cubs/

 ESPNChicago.com, Cub problems? Talented roster blocks road for 's prospects http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/43417/cub-problems-talented-roster-blocks-road-for- chicagos-prospects

 CSNChicago.com, John Lackey Analyzes His First Spring Start In Typical John Lackey Fashion http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/john-lackey-analyzes-his-first-spring-start-typical-john-lackey- fashion

 CSNChicago.com, Can The World Classic Improve? Isn't Sure That's Possible http://www.csnchicago.com/how-to-improve-world-baseball-classic-joe-maddon-ideas-cubs-worldwide- appeal-kris-bryant-anthony-rizzo

, John Lackey focused on preparation, not numbers, for 15th big-league season http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-john-lackey-world-series-rings-spt-0308-20170307- story.html

 Chicago Tribune, For World Series ring bearers, being a Cubs fan is only part of the story http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-world-series-ring-bearers-20170307-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Carl Edwards Jr. hopes to move closer to being the closer http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-carl-edwards-jr-cubs-closer-20170308-story.html

 Chicago Tribune, Soon to be 42, Cubs reliever says he has 2 years left in him http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-koji-uehara-two-more-years-spt-0308-20170307- story.html

 Chicago Sun-Times, After 2 years of rehab and TLC, Cubs to ‘unleash’ 100-mph Cease http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/after-2-years-of-rehab-and-tlc-cubs-to-unleash-100-mph-cease/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs lose exhibition to Italy’s WBC team on 9th-inning homer http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-lose-exhibition-to-italys-wbc-team-on-9th-inning-homer/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Rings are ‘awesome,’ but for Lackey it’s hard to top those boots http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/rings-are-awesome-but-for-lackey-its-hard-to-top-those-boots/

 Chicago Sun-Times, Spring cleaning: Cubs cut six from big-league camp http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/spring-cleaning-cubs-cut-six-pitchers-from-big-league-camp/

 Daily Herald, Consistent Rizzo leads way for http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170307/sports/170309104/

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Cubs.com Lackey glad to get into game routine vs. Italy By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- It didn't matter to Cubs John Lackey that he was facing Team Italy.

"It's ," Lackey said after his first spring outing in Tuesday's 8-7 Cubs loss to Italy's World Baseball Classic team. "I kind of have a routine of what I do the first start, second start. The last two starts before the season, I'll pitch with everything and go get 'em."

Lackey gave up one over two innings against Team Italy, a two-out to in the second. The Cubs right-hander finished his outing by striking out .

"It's a good one to keep moving forward on," Lackey said.

He didn't know how many pitches he threw, but Lackey guessed the total included one breaking ball. He didn't bother to look at the radar gun readings posted on the scoreboard.

"I don't look at the gun in June," Lackey said.

At 38, this will be Lackey's 15th season. He likes pitching in games. It's those days in between that are tough.

"Definitely, the stuff in between starts gets hard the older you get," Lackey said. "When you're out on the field competing, that's still a lot of fun. The other stuff gets a little tougher the older you get. It's necessary for you to compete at a high level."

Lackey was looking forward to adding another World Series ring to his collection. He's already got two, winning with the Angels in 2002 and again with the Red Sox in 2013. However, when asked where he kept his jewelry, Lackey said they were in a box somewhere in his closet. At least he thought that's where they were.

"I've got a rubber wedding band, for goodness sakes," Lackey said. "I'm not a huge flashy kind of guy. It's going to be awesome to have, for sure. If I go to a wedding and have to wear a tux, I'll wear one of them, that's about it." He did order a pair of custom World Series champion boots Tuesday. Lackey will wear those.

"One hundred percent," he said. "Those will get sported around, for sure."

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Cubs.com Uehara's goal: Pitch 10 years in Majors By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- Taped to the top of Koji Uehara's locker are two pages with headshots of the Cubs players and coaching staff.

"I'm a rookie," Uehara said, laughing at his way of trying to learn his new teammates.

The right-hander actually isn't a rookie, but entering his ninth season in the Major Leagues after pitching 10 years in Japan. Asked how much longer he wants to pitch, Uehara, 41, didn't need his interpreter C.J. Matsumoto. "Two more years," Uehara said in English.

So, he's announcing his retirement now?

"With me, it's more that I pitched 10 years in Japan, so to pitch 10 years here is my goal," he said.

The Cubs are happy to have his experience. He signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Cubs, deciding to reunite with his former Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein, who is now president of baseball operations in Chicago.

"The main reason I chose this team was because I thought this team had the best chance to win it all," Uehara said. Several teams were interested in him, Uehara said.

"He knows what he's doing," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of the right-hander, who won a World Series with the Red Sox in 2013. "He hasn't been a real hard thrower throughout his career, so it's not like he's lost any velocity. His split is really a good pitch. He's very good against lefties."

Uehara does know a few of the Cubs players, and his son Kazuma is good friends with Cubs pitcher 's son, Hudson. Lester knows to steer clear of Uehara after his outings in the dugout. The right-hander likes to give everyone in the dugout aggressive high-fives when he's done. Uehara is pacing himself in Spring Training.

"I'm going to try to destroy them all during the regular season," Uehara said. "I can't be like that first time out."

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Cubs.com Cubs name 20 fans to present World Series rings By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- The list includes a 90-year-old man from Kewanee, Ill., and a 13-year-old girl from Peru, Ill. There's a young woman with spina bifida who plays baseball for her Miracle League Cubs team, two teachers with Cubs- themed classrooms, a grandfather who saved a 1984 bottle of champagne for his championship toast and a father whose four kids have Cubs-themed names.

They are among the winners of the Cubs' championship ring bearer fan contest. Twenty fans will have the opportunity to present Cubs players and coaches their rings on the field on April 12 at .

The winners were selected from more than 1,500 video nominations on using the #CubsRingBearer hashtag, which was shared more than 10,000 times overall. These fans were nominated by family members, co- workers and friends, and selected based on their passion, loyalty and creativity.

The list also includes a woman who overcame cerebral palsy to support her team in person, and a veteran, cancer survivor and longtime bleacher season-ticket holder who saved the newspaper from Ernie Banks' debut to eventually have it signed by Mr. Cub himself.

The presenters will wear unique jerseys and hats to match the players' uniforms that day and will be among the first fans to get a look at the Cubs World Series rings, designed by Jostens.

"The greatest journey in sports history was backed by the greatest fans in all of sports, and we're thrilled to reward 20 deserving people from that passionate group with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney. "It will be rewarding to see our World Series rings presented to players and coaches by such an impressive group of fans."

Here is the list of championship ring bearers with their ages and hometowns. More information on each winner can be found at www.cubs.com/cubsringbearer.

Jeff Birtell, 58, DeKalb, Ill. Grace Davis, 20, Jefferson City, Mo. Alex Dorn, 29, Chicago Paul "Crawly" Dzien, 40, Bartlett, Ill. Michael Folsom, 30, Palos Hills, Ill. Dennis Gieseke, 72, Roselle, Ill. Joanne Harrer, 76, Naperville, Ill. Melissa Hurd, 37, Carol Stream, Ill. Lauren Klein, 13, Peru Amy Liss, 34, Downers Grove, Ill. Tom Magno, 50, Chicago Jessie McGinn, 26, Arlington Heights, Ill. Doug Meyer, 60, Deerfield, Ill. David Morimoto, 55, Joliet, Ill. Bob O'Hara, 38, Elkhart, Ind. Erv Schreiber, 86, Indianapolis Steven Teplinsky, 63, Mundelein, Ill. Jimmy Thurman, 90, Kewanee Tom Wakefield, 48, Brownsburg, Ind. George Wiseman, 72, Mount Prospect, Ill.

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Cubs.com Maddon sees no better time for Classic By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- played for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic in 2013, but is sticking with the Cubs this spring. On Tuesday, the Cubs played the Italian squad in an exhibition game at , and manager Joe Maddon was asked if there was some way to get more of the star U.S. players to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

"I think it's as good as it can be under the circumstances," Maddon said. "The time of the year inhibits a lot of the better players or best players playing en masse. There's probably not an adequate time to do it other than this." As much as Maddon likes the idea of promoting the game worldwide, it's difficult to find the right time in the season.

"If [Jon] Lester or [Jake] Arrieta went, especially after a World Series, that would be a little bit of a concern trying to push it that quickly after playing so long," Maddon said. "I think it's as good as it can be under the circumstances."

The Cubs tried to get in the spirit of the day as coach included a quote from Leonardo da Vinci on the lineup sheet in Italian. The motivation for the day was "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," which is a similiar theme to a Maddonism.

"It's nice to know that Leonardo da Vinci thought that 'Do simple better' was appropriate," Maddon said. "To know that I'm thinking along the same lines as Leo did, the guy who invents canals and all kinds of art, Mona [Lisa], and all that stuff, is pretty sweet."

• The Cubs assigned six pitchers to Minor League camp to trim the roster to 60. The six included Andury Acevedo, Gerardo Concepcion, Daniel Corcino, Manny Parra, Fernando Rodriguez and Ryan Williams. Maddon said the six will get more work in Minor League games than they were in the Cactus League games.

• On Monday, hit a triple against the Angels, and ended his 0-for-15 start this spring with a and RBI . Those are good signs, Maddon said.

"It'd be interesting to see [Schwarber] play an entire season and then look at the numbers at the end of the year to see what he's capable of doing," Maddon said of the outfielder, who missed last season after tearing two ligaments in his left knee. "It's going to be spectacular. ... This kid hasn't even gotten near his potential yet."

As for Heyward, his two hits were good signs after spending the winter reworking his swing.

"All along, his at-bats have been pretty good, he just hasn't had any hits," Maddon said. "I like what they're doing, what he's doing, and it's going to keep getting better."

• After an off-day Wednesday, Casey Kelly will start a "B" game Thursday at 10 a.m. MT on Field 1 against the Angels. Chicago plays host to Seattle in Mesa that day in a Cactus League game, and Mike Montgomery will start that game for the Cubs.

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Cubs.com Andreoli has fun playing for Italy in win vs. Cubs By Carrie Muskat

MESA, Ariz. -- wasn't happy with his early at-bats Tuesday, and when Team Italy manager Marco Mazzieri asked if the Dodgers prospect wanted to keep playing, he said yes. It paid off as Segedin smacked a two- run home run in the ninth inning to lead Team Italy to an 8-7 victory over the Cubs in a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic.

"Knowing you made the team and coming out here in Spring Training and being able to play for Team Italy is very exciting," Segedin said. "To get this first game under your belt is great. There's such a mesh of people from Italy, American-born Italians -- it's cool to have everyone come together as a team and try to learn each other as quick as possible and create that team chemistry."

Playing against the defending World Series champs in front of 10,762 at Sloan Park will help prep the Italian team. In the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Cubs Anthony Rizzo played for Team Italy, which was managed then by the current skipper.

Rizzo and Mazzieri have stayed in touch since then, and the two met in Rome when Rizzo and his family traveled there one offseason. Because of the Cubs' extended 2016 season, which ended with a World Series championship, Rizzo had to tell Mazzieri that he wasn't going to join him in the Classic this year. They did meet at home plate before the game when they exchanged the lineup cards.

"We hugged at home plate," Mazzieri said. "That was great. I told him [jokingly], 'You don't love me no more.'" The Cubs are represented on Team Italy by prospect , a 17th-round pick in 2011, who is playing in his first World Baseball Classic. Andreoli drew a walk with one out in the third, reached third on 's single and scored on 's double.

With two outs in the fourth and a runner at first, Andreoli singled off Hector Rondon, reached third on Nimmo's single and scored on a fielding error by second baseman for a 5-1 lead.

"I've been grinding the last month with all those guys [on the Cubs] and working really hard in camp," Andreoli said. "Being in the other dugout is pretty weird, but it was fun to compete against them. It was an honor to take the field against them, and I'm glad we won."

The World Baseball Classic runs through March 22. In the U.S., games air live exclusively in English on MLB Network and on an authenticated basis via MLBNetwork.com/watch, while ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN provide the exclusive Spanish-language coverage. MLB.TV Premium subscribers in the U.S. have access to watch every tournament game live on any of the streaming service's 400-plus supported devices. The tournament is being distributed internationally across all forms of television, internet, mobile and radio in territories excluding the U.S., Puerto Rico and Japan. Get tickets for games at Marlins Park, Tokyo Dome, Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Mexico, Petco Park, as well as the Championship Round at Dodger Stadium, while complete coverage -- including schedules, video, stats and gear -- is available at WorldBaseballClassic.com.

Team Italy will open the World Baseball Classic on Thursday against Mexico at Estadio Charros de Jalisco, live on MLB.TV and MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET. Andreoli's family will be there.

"It's still just hitting me -- the opportunity to represent a country and your heritage," Andreoli said. "This is a good atmosphere to get us ready. Down there, I'm sure it'll be wild.

"All my relatives are watching in Italy," Andreoli said. "They're all jacked up. Hopefully, we make a good run at it." Segedin has his own cheering section in Sicily.

"Part of this is to play and compete with a bunch of the best players in the world," he said, "but the other part is to have a connection with your heritage and hopefully to establish relationships with these people for life after baseball and offseasons or whatever it may be."

So, now that Team Italy beat the defending World Series champs, does that make them the best team in the world?

"We've got to be -- at least for today," Segedin said, laughing.

• Indians prospect , 23, started for Team Italy and gave up one hit over two innings. Lugo is playing in his first World Baseball Classic. He was 8-5 with a 4.04 ERA in 26 starts last year at Lynchburg.

• showed his ambidextrous side in the fourth. Venditte threw from the right side to face the Cubs' and got him to pop up to the shortstop. Venditte then switched sides and threw left-handed against Jason Heyward and and struck out both.

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ESPNChicago.com Cub problems? Talented roster blocks road for Chicago's prospects By Jesse Rogers

MESA -- It’s the elephant in the locker room for any Chicago Cubs prospect who has his sights set on the big leagues.

No matter what numbers they put up in Triple-A, it won’t change these simple facts: Four infielders playing for the big league team made the All-Star squad last season, the right fielder is a Gold Glove winner with seven years remaining on his contract and the left fielder looks like a prodigious hitter just coming into his own.

In other words, there aren’t many open spots if you want to be an everyday player for the World Series champions.

"It’s impossible not to think about it," infield prospect Chesny Young, 24, said from Cubs camp recently.

"It’s human nature to envision what’s coming. The standard answer is control what you need to control. At the same time you have to be smart and savvy to work your way up. Playing different positions is really important. It can put you at another level where you might not get stuck behind someone."

Chesny isn’t at the top of the Cubs' prospect list despite hitting over .300 at every level of the minors (outside of a two-game Rookie League cameo) since being drafted in 2014. To get playing time in Chicago, all he has to do is beat out Addison Russell, Javier Baez or Ben Zobrist -- along with a group of talented Cubs prospects vying for a chance. You can see why he’s adding the word "versatility" to his resume.

Even a player with Ian Happ's pedigree as the team’s 2015 first-round pick finds himself in a similar spot. Happ and fellow top prospect Eloy Jimenez have shown themselves well in their first big league camp this spring, but face a crowded road to Wrigley Field.

"You can’t think about it (being blocked)," Happ said. "You have to learn from those guys that are here. It’s important to be appreciative we have a good team that can be competitive ... Make it difficult for them (front office). That’s the best thing you can do for the Chicago Cubs."

And that’s the message the Cubs are sending to their prospects. It worked out for former minor league first baseman Daniel Vogelbach, albeit not with the Cubs. He was traded to Seattle for Mike Montgomery because perennial MVP candidate Anthony Rizzo stood between him and Chicago’s lineup. Shortstop Gleyber Torres -- a player who would be untouchable in many other systems -- netted the Cubs' closer .

"Every player has weaknesses to develop no matter the level in the minor leagues, and the player plan really helps keep the focus on that," vice president of amateur scouting and development Jason McLeod explained. "Of course, there is a reality of players looking at what’s in front of them, and we tell them to control the controllables. Go out and perform at your highest level. Whether or not you get moved up is out of your control, so don’t dwell on it."

If anyone is completely blocked by a player ahead of him, it’s 23 year-old third baseman Jeimer Candelario, who is the most major league-ready player in the system. The switch-hitter had a cup of coffee with the big league team last season, but a bench role wouldn’t do much for Candelario or the team this year.

"I’m not worried about who’s in front of me or who’s in back of me. I just want to be a good teammate," Candelario said. "If you do your work, good things are going to happen."

Candelario referenced his former minor league teammate Vogelbach, as well, showing this group of young players is well aware of what the ultimate fate could be.

With July 31 -- the day of baseball’s trade deadline -- a crucial time for Chicago prospects, the Cubs could be best served by having their top talent on display every day in the minors where scouts can watch their progress instead of watching them sit on the bench in the majors.

"The team has to decide what I’m going to do," Candelario stated. "I just want to take advantage of any opportunity."

Young even embraces the uncertainty, taking a page out of Cubs manager Joe Maddon’s psychological book of tricks.

"It’s good to be in uncomfortable situations," he said. "I got thrown into the fire here, but it’s good to just roll with it."

Former third-round pick Mark Zagunis sees the writing on the wall as well.

"Obviously, the team we have here is truly special, but I’m not thinking about it that way. I’m trying to learn from those guys," Zagunis said. "There are trades and injuries. You always have to be ready. I’m just enjoying being up here."

Happ simply added: "If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do you’re going to get a chance. Here or somewhere."

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CSNChicago.com John Lackey Analyzes His First Spring Start In Typical John Lackey Fashion By Tony Andracki

MESA, Ariz. — A reporter joked with Joe Maddon Tuesday morning that John Lackey would probably just come out in his first spring start and throw 25 fastballs, to which the Cubs manager laughed and agreed.

That's almost exactly how it played out at Sloan Park Tuesday afternoon in an exhibition against Team Italy (meaning the stats don't count toward official Cactus League stats, which also don't really "count").

Lackey tossed approximately 30 pitches in two innings in his spring debut, throwing only one breaking ball and the rest fastballs.

Since this game didn't count (not that other spring training games do, of course) and because Lackey is the king of one-liners and has been through this song-and-dance in spring training so many times before (15, to be exact), let's just hear the one-of-a-kind 38-year-old break down his own debut:

Feel

How did he feel his first time out?

"I felt good," Lackey said. "Obviously, the first one out of the gate, just trying to throw some fastballs and build up the arm strength and it's a good one to keep moving forward on."

Lackey said the first couple starts at this point in the year are always about building up arm strength after a winter off.

"That's pretty much it. Honestly, the first couple times, the pregame warmup is almost more important than what happens in the game. I'm working on things in the 'pen and when you get in the game, just firing some fastballs, trying to get that arm strength going."

Stuff

Did he analyze his stuff on the radar gun?

*shrugs* "I don't look at the gun in June."

Pitch count

Does he know how many pitches he threw?

"Doesn't matter. Whatever. I got about a month to go before it matters."

So he doesn't know the number of pitches?

"Make something up. Who cares?"

Age

At age 38, the guy who said he would announce his retirement simply by not showing up the next season is still out here to compete.

He said at this point in his career, he enjoys going to team dinners and hanging out in the clubhouse and ragging on guys, but he could do without the shagging of flyballs during batting practice and won't miss the workouts.

"The between starts get harder as you get older," he said. "The workouts and that kinda stuff. But when you're out on the field competing, that's still a lot of fun. The other stuff is a little tougher the older you get. But it's necessary for you to compete at a high level."

He also said he feels better now — after the Tommy John surgery he had in 2011 — than he did before the procedure.

Opponent

Does he like pitching in exhibition games as the opposition gets geared up to play in the World Baseball Classic?

"Honestly, it's spring training. It doesn't matter who's up there. I kinda got a routine on what I do from my first start, the second start and the last probably two starts before the season, I'll pitch pretty much with everything and then go get 'em."

World Series swag

A pair of World Series boots created a murmur at Cubs camp Tuesday morning:

As if anybody needed confirmation: Yes, Lackey did get a pair of those boots.

"Of course I did," he said. "I'm not even sure how many pair of boots I have, honestly."

Lackey also has a similar pair after winning the World Series with the in 2013.

As for his Cubs World Series ring once he gets that next month, he will not prominently display it. That piece of jewelry will go in a box in his closet...along with his regular wedding ring (he wears a rubber one most of the time, like most athletes due to lifting and on-field activities) and the Red Sox championship ring.

"I got a rubber wedding ring, for goodness' sake. I'm not a huge, flasy kinda guy. It's gonna be awesome to have, for sure. If I'm going to a wedding or I have to put on a tux, I'll wear one of 'em. That's about it."

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CSNChicago.com Can The World Baseball Classic Improve? Joe Maddon Isn't Sure That's Possible By Tony Andracki

MESA, Ariz. — Joe Maddon is a huge proponent of selling the game of baseball worldwide and clearly sees the place the World Baseball Classic has in that endeavor.

But with the WBC kicking off this week, Twitter seems ablaze with how to "fix" or improve the international competition.

Does playing it in the first few weeks of March really help? The schedule limits some of 's best players from participating given they are not yet in midseason form and still in the process of getting back into the swing of things.

But when would be better?

When the Olympics and other international hockey competitions are going on, the NHL shuts down for a few weeks and the game's best players head overseas to play for their home country.

Could you imagine that in baseball? The entirety of MLB shuts down for all of July, the All-Star Game is canceled or rescheduled, the 162-game season is shortened and pitchers may endure extra stress pitching in high-intesity games that don't count toward their MLB team's ultimate goal of winning the World Series.

It'd be a mess.

And with the season already extending into November with the playoffs, after the MLB slate is out, too.

Which is why Maddon — who spoke at length on the matter Tuesday morning before his team took on Team Italy in an exhibition game at Sloan Park — isn't sure a better idea exists:

"I think it's as good as it can be under the circumstances. The time of the year really inhibits a lot of the best players playing more en masse. There's probably not an adequate or a proper time to do it other than this, so that makes it more difficult.

"I don't blame some guys for not wanting to play. I understand why guys do want to play and support their country and participate. It's just an imperfect situation. I think we're doing the best that we can under the circumstances. It would be kinda neat if everybody's best could actually participate.

"But the way our season is played and the length of it and what happens at the end of it, guys have just had enough. So when is the right time? At the beginning when you're fresh? At the end when you're tired? The middle like they did in hockey where they just shut it down, but nobody wants to shut it down.

"I think we're doing the best under the circumstances and I think the number of guys participating is probably as much as you're gonna see. It's true: To get guys to get up to that mental and physical level this early can have an impact. It just depends on the player, but it can. I think the greater concern a lot of times is the physical impact, that somebody may get injured.

"But for me, it's also like turning the dial up quickly, too. You saw Javy [Baez]. Javy noticably did that and did it well, I thought. His role this season, it's not every day, so it meshes pretty well with Javy. Like if Lester went or if Arrieta went, especially after the World Series, that would be a little bit of a concern trying to push it so quickly after playing so long."

But Maddon also understands the bigger purpose of the WBC beyond just winning: to promote the game of baseball and get kids more interested.

Of course, there's the matter of national pride, too, as teams like the Netherlands and Israel get to show the world what they're made of in countries where baseball isn't as prominent.

That being said, Maddon has always been in favor of his Cubs team carrying worldwide appeal — especially to the younger crowd — with guys like , Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber.

"Our group should appeal anywhere that baseball's played," Maddon said. "We do — and baseball does — a great job with us. It's about our players. I think we're authentic, we're charismatic players that are good and are young.

"So there should be a positive impact for the attempt to sell the game to a more wide-ranging group. Why wouldn't you showcase that group of players?"

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Chicago Tribune John Lackey focused on preparation, not numbers, for 15th big-league season By Paul Skrbina

John Lackey came to Chicago for jewelry ... that he can throw in a box in his closet.

That's where his two other World Series rings reside, he said, not to mention his real wedding ring.

At least he thinks that's where they are.

And that's probably where he'll put his latest piece of bling after he receives it during an April 12 ceremony at Wrigley Field.

"I've got a rubber wedding ring, for goodness' sake," Lackey said while tugging on the black band on his left ring finger. "I'm not a flashy guy."

Lackey, who said last season he didn't come to the Cubs to get a haircut but rather for jewelry, wears the rubber ring for comfort while playing baseball or golf or working out.

He said the Cubs World Series ring is "going to be awesome to have, for sure" and hinted he might break it out — or the ones he won with the Red Sox in 2013 and the Angels in 2002 — for special occasions.

"If I have to go to a wedding or throw on a tux, I'll wear one of them," he said.

Lackey, 38, was wearing a Cubs uniform Tuesday, making his first start of spring training in an 8-7 loss to Team Italy in front of 10,762.

After taking a fresh baseball from plate Dale Scott and patting him on the back, Lackey rearranged the dirt around the rubber and dug in for more preparation for his 15th major-league season.

Two innings, one hit, one and an undetermined number of pitches later, Lackey was long for the locker room and a bite to eat.

When asked about his pitch count, Lackey shrugged it off as just a number, like his age.

"I don't know. Doesn't matter. Whatever," Lackey said. "We've got about a month before it matters. Make something up. Who cares?"

While he wasn't sure of the number of pitches, he was sure that all but one were fastballs.

The real work at this time of year, he said, comes not on a mound during a game but beforehand in the , where he threw all of his pitches.

"The first couple times, the pregame warm-up is almost more important than what happens in the game," he said. "I'm working on things. The game, I'm just kind of firing some fastballs."

And he's not paying attention to those numbers, in terms of velocity, either.

"I don't look at the (radar) gun in June," he said with a chuckle when asked whether he knew how hard he was throwing.

He's looking more at finishing his preparation for 2017. The question of when Lackey might retire has come up during spring training, but Lackey said Tuesday he feels better than he has since Tommy John elbow surgery cost him the 2012 season.

"We'll see," he said. "Just going to keep pitching and see what happens."

He's in the final year of a two-year, $32 million deal and in search of a fourth World Series ring to throw in the closet.

Teammate Jon Lester said Lackey seems up to the task of at least one more season.

"He feels good," Lester said. "That's what it comes down to, if he's physically able to keep up with it."

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Chicago Tribune For World Series ring bearers, being a Cubs fan is only part of the story By Phil Thompson

It's no wonder Amy Liss is such a fan of Cubs manager Joe Maddon. They share an affinity for positive affirmations.

The Downers Grove native will see Maddon's "Don't let the pressure exceed the pleasure" and raise him a personal motto of her own: "Live each day with an attitude of gratitude."

Liss, who has cerebral palsy and can't live independently, falls back on that mantra every day. The 34-year-old throws herself into her work — motivational speaking and mentoring children — and her favorite pastime, the Cubs.

She's one of 20 fans, each with a unique story, who won a contest to present the team's 2016 World Series rings to players and coaches during a ceremony April 12 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs face the Dodgers that night in the second home game of the season, two nights after their Wrigley opener.

More than 1,500 videos were submitted via Twitter with the hashtag #CubsRingBearer. Cubs front-office personnel judged the entries, and the team announced the winners Tuesday.

Ring bearers range in age from 13 to 90 and include a woman with spina bifida who plays baseball for the Miracle League Cubs; a man who saved a bottle of champagne from 1984 and used it for a World Series toast; and a cancer survivor.

Here are three of the winners' tales.

Amy Liss, 34, Downers Grove

Liss said she loves to go to her "happy place" — her room, a Cubs shrine decked out with red walls, bobbleheads, stuffed animals, an autographed Harry Caray poster and a bat handed to her during spring training in 1993. She likes to look at the ceiling, where her dad, Tom, placed the words "attitude of gratitude" and Cubs stickers on the ceiling fan.

Liss was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 5 months old, and her type, spastic quadriplegia, impairs her mobility and causes her muscles to tighten when she gets excited. She calls her family and friends her "team" because they provide constant support for the wheelchair-bound Liss, helping her travel the country to speak to college teams and businesses or handle duties closer to home such as mentoring children for Easter Seals, at Hillcrest Elementary School and at a soccer camp run by former U.S. national team great Julie Foudy, a longtime friend.

She could be down about her condition, but she looks at people like Foudy and Maddon for motivation.

"He has a spunky personality," Liss said.

Liss can be spunky herself, like she when was watching Game 7 of the World Series and the Indians' Rajai Davis hit a game-tying two-run home run. Liss became tearful and "livid" (a rare occurrence, mom Kathy said). After the Cubs rallied to win the championship, "it took me a month to recover from the emotion and excitement," Liss said.

Liss has been a fixture at Cubs Conventions for years and most recently met Anthony Rizzo and and got a hug from Addison Russell. Kathy Liss said Caray and saw Amy so often at conventions and spring training that they knew her by name.

"She just has a winning smile and personality that makes people want to remember her," Kathy said.

David Morimoto, 55, Joliet

It was Morimoto's video entry, a team effort by coworkers, that helped the ophthalmologist stand out. Surgical tech Paula Schorp delivered a rap parody of Sir Mix-a-Lot's "Baby Got Back" that fell somewhere between delightfully awful and brilliantly campy.

"See the shirt he's wearin' / and all those girls are starin'

Ooooh Cubbies, he wants to get with ya / and take your picture

Those Sox fans tried to warn me / but Wrigley really warms me"

"When I saw it, I was just rolling on the ground," Morimoto said.

Morimoto's receptionist, Samantha Arce, had the idea to nominate him, and optometrist Jeff Harris helped give the video the feel of a late-night local TV commercial. Harris submitted it to the Cubs and broke the good news to Morimoto.

"When he told me last Tuesday, I went through the roof," Morimoto said. "I just couldn't believe it. Apart from Game 7 of the World Series, it was like the greatest thing in the world."

The season had special meaning for his family. Morimoto took his 86-year-old father, who moonlighted as a Cubs physician in the late 1950s, and his mother to separate World Series games at Wrigley.

"He's going to be my guest at the ring-bearer ceremony," Morimoto said of his father.

If Morimoto had his choice, he would present a ring to Javier Baez.

"I love watching him in the field and the magic he performs fielding," he said, "but you know what: I wouldn't care who it would be. Just to be able to congratulate those guys for giving us fans something we've been waiting for all these years is thanks enough for me."

Lauren Klein 13, Peru, Ill.

With kids, you get honesty.

Klein said one reason she loves the Cubs is they're "an unpredictable team — you never know what you're going to get." That and her dad, Herb, being a lifelong fan turned her into one.

So about 10 days ago, Klein couldn't figure out why her father was filming her.

"When he told me I won (the contest), I started jumping up and down," she said. "I ran to my brother's room screaming: 'Matthew, I won. Matthew, I won.'"

Matthew, 16, had helped make the video. Mom Jill had looked for a twist to make the video special, something beyond typical jerseys and memorabilia to show how devoted Lauren is to the Cubs.

"I went back through all of her school stuff since she was in kindergarten, and I pulled out everything," Jill said. "If she wrote a letter to Punxsutawney Phil, it was about how she didn't want him to see his shadow so she could go to see a Cubs game. On St. Patrick's Day, to the leprechaun, it was about how she wants to find a pot of gold so that she can go to a Cubs game.

"Everything since she was able to write and talk has been about the Cubs."

For years, Lauren has worn Cubs gear on the first day of school. Girls usually dress up on picture day in October for Washington Junior High School's yearbook, "but my daughter walked out of her room that morning and she had a Cubs jersey on," Jill said. "And I went, 'You do know it's photo day today.' And she said, 'Yeah, Cubs are in the World Series — what better to wear than this?'"

Lauren even gets into the rivalries, talking smack with a former elementary school classmate who was a Pirates fan.

"They used to rib each other, even back in second grade when she was so little, with back and forth about who's going to win," Jill said.

For her 13th birthday, she had some of her travel softball teammates — Cardinals fans, mostly — pose with her under a cardboard cutout of the Wrigley Field marquee.

Cubs players aren't spared from her cheekiness either. Herb remembers how, at a Cubs summer camp in 2012, Lauren asked Anthony Rizzo, "Why'd they wait so long to bring you up from the minors?"

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Chicago Tribune Carl Edwards Jr. hopes to move closer to being the closer By Paul Skrbina

Carl Edwards stood behind a pole, minding his own business one morning earlier this week at the Cubs’ spring training complex, when the jokes were airborne.

“I didn’t see you there,” an assistant coach said.

Edwards let loose a hearty chuckle and nodded his head.

“The String Bean Slinger,” all 6-foot-3, 170 pounds of him, can take a joke. He’s heard them most of them.

He also knows when to be serious.

When he is, the joke usually is on opposing hitters.

On Saturday against the Dodgers, Edwards struck out the first three batters faced this spring. He’s coming off a rookie season during which he appeared in 36 regular-season games and sported a 3.75 Era and struck out 52 in his 36 innings. He boasted a 2.84 ERA with in eight postseason appearances, including three World Series games.

The guy who was drafted in the 48th round out of a high school in a tiny South Carolina town, basically as an afterthought by the Rangers with the 1,464th pick, who has his sights on someday becoming the Cubs closer, thinks of every game as a World Series game.

He has no choice, even during spring training.

“Even spring training,” Edwards said. “Because when you go out there you have to give it your best.

“We had to do that for the playoffs last year. It’s a new year, so you gotta start brand new.”

Edwards knows his role now – complement new closer Wade Davis – but don’t think he’s not thinking about the future. Thinking about being a closer, a goal of his, he said.

He’s 25 years old. Davis is 31. Davis is on a one-year deal, $10 million deal and is coming off of forearm issues that cost him a good portion of the 2016 season. Edwards is much more cost-effective and has his best years, presumably, ahead of him.

“I take it day by day,” he said. “We have Wade Davis here. We have Koji (Uehara). We have some guys who have been doing that for their career.

“I feel like this will be a learning year in some ways. You never know what can happen. I’m just gonna ride it and learn.”

Edwards said he grew up idolizing former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and Red Sox starter Pedro Martinez.

While he hasn’t yet had the chance to meet Rivera, he said he would relish the chance to pick his brain.

He never wants to stop learning.

“I wish I could meet him and just talk to him about things he did, just to get some more knowledge,” Edwards said.

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Chicago Tribune Soon to be 42, Cubs reliever Koji Uehara says he has 2 years left in him By Paul Skrbina

In his first meeting with the American media this spring, Cubs reliever Koji Uehara bypassed his interpreter and answered in earnest — and in English — when asked how much longer he plans to pitch.

"Two more years," the soon-to-be 42-year-old said with a smile Tuesday. "I pitched 10 years back in Japan. To pitch 10 years here is my goal."

The Cubs signed the free agent to a one-year, $6 million deal during the offseason, pushing the man known for his violent high-fives after innings one year closer to his goal.

Uehara began his major-league career in 2009 with the Orioles and was named the Championship Series MVP for the Red Sox in 2013 while helping them to the World Series title.

The right-hander, who said he caught the World Series on television last year, decided the Cubs would be his best chance at another ring. There are a few familiar faces in Chicago, including Jon Lester and John Lackey, and Cubs President Theo Epstein, all of whom were with the Red Sox in 2013.

Manager Joe Maddon said the plan for using Uehara is to not overuse him.

"He knows what he's doing," Maddon said. "He hasn't been a real hard thrower throughout his career, so it's not like he's lost any velocity."

Candelario impressing: Jeimer Candelario's job is to make his boss' job more difficult.

The 23-year-old switch-hitting third baseman wants to eventually land a summer gig with the Cubs. So far he has done all he can to fulfill his responsibilities, especially of late.

He has six hits in four games, and his prowess in the batter's box and defensive improvements aren't lost on Maddon.

"Whatever decision they make, they will tell me what I have to do," said Candelario, who is a long shot to make the big-league roster out of spring training. "I just have to be able to control myself and do good."

Candelario was 3-for-3 with a double, triple and three runs scored Saturday against the Dodgers. He had two more hits and scored once more Sunday against the Rangers.

"It's not his time to be here yet, unless something were to happen," Maddon said. "His time will come. The big thing is just to continue to refine his game."

Almora on track: Jr. was walking awkwardly after fouling a pitch off his left calf last week. The Cubs center fielder was feeling fine enough to hit a grand slam Monday but left Tuesday's game when he said the pain increased, a result of him overcompensating while walking.

Maddon said Almora should be fine to return to action Thursday against the Mariners.

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Chicago Sun-Times After 2 years of rehab and TLC, Cubs to ‘unleash’ 100-mph Cease By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — A year ago, Cubs scouting and player development boss Jason McLeod called him a lottery ticket.

Seven weeks ago, McLeod called him “unlike anyone that we’ve had in our system since we’ve been here.”

Right-hander Dylan Cease is almost a mythical creature when it comes to the Cubs’ farm system.

The Cubs have yet to draft and develop a big-league since Theo Epstein’s crew took over more than five years ago — much less a frontline-quality power pitcher like Cease appears to be.

But that might be about to change as Cease prepares his 100-mph fastball and power curve for their first full- season assignment in the Cubs’ system.

He’ll likely open at Class A South Bend after two years of rehab work since undergoing Tommy John surgery as a high school senior.

“He’s absolutely one of the more exciting prospects that we have in our organization,” McLeod said during the Cubs Convention in January, “which is so fun to say in Year 5 that we’re talking about a pitcher as one of the most exciting players in our organization.”

Cease, 21, a broad-shouldered 6-2 kid with a mature-for-his-age demeanor, is quick to say the Cubs have more pitching talent in the system than many might believe.

But he also knows what evaluators are saying about him, whether it’s the media, the various prospect rankings or McLeod. He’s the first pitcher in the organization the last five years who’s talked about with the same kind of reverence as the Kris Bryants and Kyle Schwarbers from those vaunted hitting classes.

“I feel really excited and grateful that people think I could turn into that,” he said. “That’s what I’m working for. I want to give them everything I’ve got.

“It just makes me want to do the extra little stuff to get there. That would be incredible, a dream come true.”

Cease, a first-round talent drafted in the sixth round in 2014 because of the surgery, has a 2.36 ERA and 91 in 68‰ professional innings.

He had a 2.22 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 44‰ innings at short-season Class A Eugene last season.

“He’s built up now,” farm director Jaron Madison said, adding that with Cease’s good health this spring, “you take the leash off.”

Cease said he doesn’t look too far ahead and doesn’t care where he starts or finishes this season within the organization.

“I would love to make every one of my starts; that would be a big goal of mine,” he said of what 20 or so starts and reaching 100 innings would mean. “I would like to be locked in and focused and intense for every one of my starts, too.

“If I really want to make it to the next level, I can’t just rely on throwing hard. I’ve got to be a complete pitcher.”

It wouldn’t take much for Cease to notice what his development might mean to a championship team in the third year of a contending window.

The Cactus League debuts the last two days by and John Lackey were reminders that both are free agents next fall. And a team that won the World Series last year without a pitcher drafted and developed by the organization will probably do it the same way if it repeats.

The Cubs have built a successful staff from the outside, and in that continuing process, they’re still looking to add more young, controllable quality starters.

What would adding a certain kid with a golden, surgically repaired arm mean? And when could that happen?

“All that stuff is kind of background noise and out of my control,” Cease said. “I’m more focused on the little things I have to do every day to get up there and write my own story and be a part of something.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs lose exhibition to Italy’s WBC team on 9th-inning homer By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. — Robert Segedin’s two-run homer to right off Cubs right-hander Jake Buchanan, with two out in the top of the ninth, lifted Italy’s World Baseball Classic entrant to a 7-6 victory Tuesday in an exhibition at Sloan Park.

Cubs prospects Taylor Davis and Chris Dominguez homered during the Cubs’ six-run sixth inning, with Dominguez’s three-run, two-out shot giving the Cubs their first lead.

Lackey debuts

John Lackey became the final member of the projected rotation to make a spring start, throwing almost exclusively fastballs in an efficient two innings of work.

“It felt good,” said Lackey, who allowed only a two-out single up the middle in the second to Alex Liddi – before ending the inning with a strikeout. “Obviously, it’s the first one out of the gate. Just trying to throw some fastballs and built up your arm strength. It’s a good one to keep moving forward on.”

Russell returns

All-Star shortstop Addison Russell returned to the lineup after a two-day absence because of a bruise near his left elbow suffered when hit by a pitch Saturday.

He “doubled” to center in the second on a play that should have been ruled a single and error when the center fielder mishandled the routine hit, then popped to short in the fourth.

No relief: The first six Italy runs were scored against three of the Cubs late-inning crew of (three runs), Hector Rondon (two runs, one earned) and Carl Edwards Jr. (one) in the third, fourth and fifth innings.

Strop recorded only one out in the third, giving up two walks and three hits, including a two-run single to . Edwards’ run scored in the fifth on a two-out double to left-center by Andrew Maggi.

Andreoli shines

Cubs outfield prospect John Andreoli, playing for Team Italy, walked and singled to center, scoring both times as the “Italians” opened a 5-1 lead through four innings.

He and Team Italy open WBC pool play against host Mexico Thursday in a rematch of Italy’s stunning 2013 upset in the tournament (when Anthony Rizzo played for Italy).

On deck

After an off day Wednesday, Mariners at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m. (CT) Thursday, cubs.com audio, Mike Montgomery vs. TBD.

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Chicago Sun-Times Rings are ‘awesome,’ but for Lackey it’s hard to top those boots By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – John Lackey doesn’t know when he’ll ever get a chance to wear his Cubs’ World Series ring.

“I’m not a huge flashy kind of guy,” said the veteran right-hander, who said his 2002 Angels ring and 2013 Red Sox ring are in a box “somewhere” in his closet. “It’ll be awesome for sure. If I go to a wedding or have to put on a tux, I’ll wear one, but that’s about it.”

World Series boots, on the other hand, are a different matter for the big Texan.

“I’m not even sure how many pairs of boots I have, honestly,” said Lackey, who before taking the mound for his first start of the spring Tuesday put in an order for a pair of custom-made Cubs’ championship boots with the World Series commemorated on the front and Cubs “W” on the back.

Those he’ll wear. “Hundred percent,” said Lackey, who also has a similar pair of Red Sox championship boots. “Those are going to get a sporting around, for sure.”

Manager Joe Maddon and some of Lackey’s teammates also appeared to be in the market for a pair when the boot rep showed off is demo pair.

Lackey pitched two quick innings in his spring debut, facing seven batters in the Cubs exhibition against Italy’s World Baseball Classic team.

Don’t ask Lackey, by the way, how many pitches he threw in a game in March. “Doesn’t matter. Make something up,” he said.

Don’t ask him if he checked the radar gun, either.

“I don’t look at the gun in June.”

Almora on tap

Albert Almora Jr., who left Monday’s game early because of soreness in his left calf, said the calf is fine, and he’s expected to play Thursday.

He said it’s been sore since he fouled a ball off it last week but it worsened in recent days. He hit a grand slam and doubled as recently as Sunday.

Bear facts

The Cubs on Tuesday revealed the 20 winners of their biggest-Cub-fan ring-bearer contest, ranging in age from 13 to 90. Sixteen are from Illinois; three from Indiana and one from Jefferson City, Mo.

The winners, who were selected from over 1,500 video entries, will present the rings to players and staff during a pregame ceremony April 12.

To see the winning videos or learn more about the winners, go to cubs.com/cubsringbearer.

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Chicago Sun-Times Spring cleaning: Cubs cut six pitchers from big-league camp By Gordon Wittenmyer

MESA, Ariz. – In their first round of spring cuts Tuesday, the Cubs reassigned six non-roster pitchers to minor- league camp.

The four right-handers cut: Andury Acevedo, Daniel Corcino, Fernando Rodriguez and Ryan Williams. The two left- handers: Gerardo Concepcion and Manny Parra.

It still leaves 34 pitchers in camp, an unusually high number.

“Just guys that needed their work,” manager Joe Maddon said. “When you have this many pitchers in camp – and we anticipated more guys leaving to go to the [World Baseball Classic]; they didn’t – it becomes nearly impossible to work all these guys.

“You’re not being unfair. It’s not like you’re not giving them a good enough look. They need to work.”

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Daily Herald Consistent Rizzo leads way for Chicago Cubs By Bruce Miles

Anthony Rizzo has a face any franchise would love.

To call Rizzo the face of the Chicago Cubs franchise might be a stretch, only because this team has so many "franchise" faces: Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and on and on.

Rizzo, 27, was not the first player acquired by Theo Epstein and when they took over Cubs baseball operations in the fall of 2011, but he was the most important at the time.

Five years later, Rizzo has taken his place among both the franchise faces and team leaders.

"Everyone leads in their own different way," he said in the early days of spring training. "You've got quieter guys. You've got guys who are louder. You've got guys who do it by example. I think we're all unique in our own way and everyone gets along and understands people's styles, and it's not just this way or the highway. There are guys who do different things, and we all understand that."

Rizzo last year earned his third straight all-star berth along with his first Gold Glove at first base and his first Silver Slugger award.

He hit 2 home runs in the National League championship series and 1 in the World Series while going 9-for-25 against the .

But what stands out most with Rizzo is his eye-popping consistency over the past two seasons. Here is how it was for this left-handed-hitting offensive force:

• In 2015, Rizzo put up a batting line of .278/.387./512 for an OPS of .899 with 31 home runs and 101 RBI. He walked 78 times and struck out 105. His OPS-plus was 146.

• In 2016, he had a line of .292/.385/.544 for an OPS of .928 with 32 home runs and 109 RBI. He had 74 walks and 108 strikeouts. His OPS-plus again was 146.

In wins above replacement (WAR) for first basemen, Rizzo's 5.2 was second in the major leagues to Atlanta's Freddie Freeman (6.1) and ahead of NL stalwarts Joey Votto (5.0) and Paul Goldschmidt (4.8).

Rizzo was the first Cub to step up after the losing 2014 season and say the goal for 2015 was to win the NL Central. The Cubs didn't do that, but they won a game and advanced to the NLCS.

Soon after Rizzo uttered his words about winning the NL Central, the Cubs hired Joe Maddon as manager in late 2014.

"His message since Day 1 when he got here was, 'Push yourself to the limit you don't think you can get to, and you'll see in a few years, we'll be way past that,' " Rizzo said. "That's what we plan on doing."

Rizzo said he was most impressed by how his fellow young players have grown with the organization.

"I think the way we have the talent, it's been talented for a while now," he said. "To bring in the right pieces and to let guys blossom, you don't see that a lot, especially winning teams. You don't see guys coming in and being able to get an opportunity to just go out and play.

"We do a good job, and Joe does a really good job of getting guys in and out and giving guys days off. Everything. Everything from the facilities to the whole staff from the Dominican to Joe. Everyone in between is all in.

"Honestly, I think that anyone who puts this jersey on knows the feeling. Just because we won the World Series isn't a different feeling than anyone else who puts this jersey on. It's still the same feeling."

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