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Carlos Silva remains in the Cubs' starting-rotation derby despite a rough spring. (US Presswire)

By Paul Sullivan

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Carlos Silva will get another start Wednesday against Oakland and hasn't pitched himself out of the rotation picture yet.

That's according manager Mike Quade, who was involved in a roster meeting Tuesday with general manager Jim Hendry and others on the Cubs' staff.

"I never count anybody out," Quade said. "I'm anxious to see him pitch (Wednesday). Still some tough decisions. Productive discussions today. Nothing definitive. I have a lot to sleep on, or not sleep on tonight, regarding the pitching and other areas, too."

By Paul Sullivan

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Andrew Cashner could've sealed a spot in the rotation Monday with a strong start against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Instead, he gave up four runs on seven hits over three innings in a game called on account of rain after 3 1/2 innings.

"Couldn't really control much out there today," Cashner said. "It was wet and windy and a little cold, but still made some real good pitches today."

MESA, Ariz.--The Cubs hosted the Giants Sunday afternoon with Randy Wells, their best pitcher ERA-wise at 1.29, on the mound.

In their previous three games, all losses, Cub pitchers had allowed 34 runs, but manager Mike Quade insisted he was not a big spring "numbers" guy.

"Not here, not right now," he said when asked about whether he was concerned about the team's 6.82 ERA, nearly two runs a game higher than opponents. "I'm looking at this individually. I honestly don't know any of the ERAs of my individual guys.

"But I sit back and say, how (have they thrown). I'm just looking at how I feel about them health-wise. Would I like to see improvement here and there and do we need to come out with better command by April 1st? Yeah. But, pitching-wise, I'm looking at a group of guys that I'm happy with."

Wells was just what the Cubs needed Sunday. He allowed the first two Giants to reach, then retired the next 18 in a row, leaving after six innings with a 2-1 lead.The Cubs won 3-2 in 10 innings.

"Confidence is a huge thing and I lost it last year," Wells said. "It's a tough thing to overcome."

By Dave van Dyck

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Kosuke Fukudome led off for the Chicago Cubs Saturday against the San Diego Padres, but manager Mike Quade said he still views it "as a mix-and-match" position because he doesn't have a prototype No. 1 hitter.

"I want to look at the nine guys we're going to play against a particular pitcher that day and work off of that," Quade said. "I'm probably better suited doing that than figuring who's my leadoff guy. I have to feel like the guy I put there is OK with it. It doesn't mean he's going to have great success there."

Quade singled out Jeff Baker as having had a superb spring against both right- and left-handed pitching. But Baker batted sixth against the Padres and played third base behind Matt Garza, who allowed a run in the first inning.

Garza pitched only three innings of the Cubs' 14-4 loss, allowing the Padres three runs on three hits and three walks.

By Dave van Dyck

MESA, Ariz. -- Even with Carlos Zambrano, that notorious free-swinger with a bat, starting Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade  decided to go with the DH.

Zambrano, who has an upcoming "home run derby" event for charity, had his left wrist wrapped Friday morning, apparently the result of over-practice in the batting cage.

"He hit so much, let's take a break," Quade said. "All I want the guy to do is pitch. But if I can error on the side of caution, that's what I do."

By Paul Sullivan

PHOENIX -- Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells started the Chicago Cubs split-squad games on Tuesday in their twin bids to make the rotation.

Both fared well, with Cashner allowing one run on two hits over 3 1/3 innings in an 8-1 win over Oakland, and Wells giving up a run on three hits over five innings in a 4-2 loss to Colorado.

"Thought I threw the ball really well today," Cashner said. "It's the best stuff I think I've had in spring training. My fastball had a lot of life on it today. The first inning was a little roiugh, but after that I kind of settled down, got a few ground balls and really worked ahead of guys there towards the end. Kind of walked a couple guys, but overall I thought today was a good day."

Welington Castillo, Tyler Colvin and Brett Jackson homered for the Cubs against the A's.

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- Infielder Josh Vitters and outfielder Brett Jackson were among 18 players assigned Tuesday to the Chicago Cubs' minor league camp, reducing their spring-training roster to 40 players.

Rehabbing Angel Guzman will be reassigned later, meaning there are actually 39 players still actively competing in the Cactus League games. The Cubs have no timetable yet for their next cuts.

"A lot of guys that need to go get at-bats or pitching innings," manager Mike Quade said. "We have two weeks to go after (Wednesday's) off day, and things get much more intense here in terms of playing time and stuff. We sent a lot of kids out today who really made a good impression."

By Paul Sullivan

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Manager Mike Quade gave most of his regulars the day off Monday afternoon as the Cubs took on Seattle at the Peoria Sports Complex. 

Kosuke Fukudome was the only position player assured of making the club who made the one-hour trip to Peoria.

Matt Garza, who hasn't pitched particularly well in camp, took the mound for the fourth time in a 5-3 loss to the Mariners.

"I'd like to see him pitch five scoreless, or whatever," manager Mike Quade said before. "But I'll watch him. The soft game is one thing, but fastball command, whatever happens, would be a really good thing today."

Photo: Matt Garza bunts for a sacrifice in the second inning. (REUTERS / Rick Scuteri)

By Paul Sullivan

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Braden Looper got the start at Talking Stick this afternoon in his bid for the rotation, facing Arizona in a split-squad game.

Up in Las Vegas, Carlos Zambrano tried to keep his strong spring intact while facing the Los Angeles Dodgers, a game that will be televised on WGN-Ch. 9.

Looper pitched well in a 3 2/3 inning stint in a 7-5 win over the D'Backs, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts. He also contributed a pair of hits.

"It's was one of those days I definitely had to work really hard," Looper said. "Nothing came easy."

Zambrano allowed one run over five innings in Las Vegas, where Jeff Baker's RBI single in the 10th gave the Cubs a 4-3 win.   

PHOTO GALLERY: Cubs at spring training

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- It could be make or break time for Carlos Silva, who carries a hefty 29.70 earned-run average into today's split-squad game against Cincinnati at HoHoKam Park.

While manager Mike Quade and pitching coach Mark Riggins are up in Las Vegas facing the other half of Dusty Baker's Reds, bench coach Pat Listach is managing down here in Mesa.

The Reds won the game 7-6.

Silva, in a bid for the rotation, breezed through the first six hitters in order before giving up a home run off the scoreboard to Chris Heisey in the third. He wound up pitching five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, including two homers, both on changeups.

Silva said he felt a lot better, particularly with his command.

"The most important thing today was my command," he said. "I made two mistakes- those two homers. Besides that, I think everything was good."

By Paul Sullivan

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Kosuke Fukudome and his teammates spent part of Friday morning watching the clubhouse TV for updates from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

The Chicago Cubs outfielder was able to contact his brother and said his family was OK. He had not been able to talk to his parents yet, but said he believed they were fine.

Media assistant Hiro Aoyama and trainer Yoshi Nakazawa also said their families were fine.

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is pulling for new Cubs manager Mike Quade, who doesn't have the name recognition of predecessors Don Baylor, Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella.

"I think this man is a great baseball man," Guillen said Friday following the Sox's 4-3 loss to the Cubs. "I kind of like that because a lot of people say he doesn't have the name and stuff. Hopefully he puts that team in a position to win and puts them in a good spot.

"This guy has been in baseball so long. I know he's happy to have the job. I hope the players play well for him and hopefully keeps the job. The players are the ones that fire the coaching staff. It's not the general manager, it's the players. Hopefully, the players play well for him."

Ryan Dempster delivers a pitch in the third inning against the White Sox on Friday. (Christopher Hanewinckel/US Presswire)

By Paul Sullivan

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Mike Quade and Ozzie Guillen traded barbs at home plate before Friday's Chicago Cubs-Chicago White Sox game at Camelback Ranch, continuing a tradition.

Quade is the third Cubs manager to face off against Guillen, following Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella, and is well aware of the significance of the series.

"It's a little bit different, and it's time for that," Quade said. "This is a busy weekend, and to be honest, I'm more concerned about Monday and Tuesday. ... This is a big weekend for a lot of reasons. It kicks off with the Sox and then obviously the split squads the next two days (in Las Vegas).

The Cubs wound up with a 4-3 win over the Sox as Carlos Pena homered and drove in two runs.

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade won't make any decisions on the last two rotation vacancies until after the team's one-day break next week.

But Randy Wells may have sealed one of those spots Thursday with a strong outing against Cleveland.

Wells had not allowed an earned run in his first two Cactus League outings, and put up more zeroes on Thursday, allowing one hit over four innings with one walk and two strikeouts.

The Cubs won 2-1 on Brett Jackson's walk-off, RBI single with two outs in the ninth.

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- Ron Santo's family and friends honored him during pregame ceremonies Thursday at HoHoKam Park, the first of a year-long celebration of Santo's life.

"If you look in the dictionary and saw endurance and courage, the man, No. 10, Ron Santo, was right there," former teammate Fergie Jenkins said. "That's the kind of guy he was. The example he tried to prove on the field, as an individual, as a teammate, that was something that will never, never ever be forgotten. Ronnie was a great individual, a great friend."

Billy Williams spoke of the money Santo raised for Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Randy Hundley broke up the crowd, saying: "Ron Santo as a player was a pain in the fanny. But as he got out of the game of baseball and we got to know him a lot better, I absolutely loved the guy, and I told him every time I talked to him on the telephone or we played golf together that I loved him, and I still love him and I miss him very much.

"But I'm also glad that he does not have to suffer anymore with the bad legs he had."

MESA, Ariz. -- Cubs players have been given special No. 10 caps this morning in honor of Ron Santo Day at HoHoKam Park.

The No. 10 emblem that will be worn on the sleeve of Cubs' uniforms this year has been painted on the field behind home plate, and ceremonies honoring Santo will take place before the game against Cleveland.

(UPDATE: The Cubs won't be able to wear the hats during the game because they don't have an MLB logo on them.)

Manager Mike Quade reflected Thursday morning on Santo and his youth, growing up and watching the old WGN-TV shows.

The privilege of being at Harry Caray's restaurant after Santo's funeral, listening to stories from family and friends, was a special feeling for him.

Matt Garza composes himself after giving up a bases-loaded triple in the first inning on Wednesday. (Kevork Djansezian/US Presswire)

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- Matt Garza took the mound for the Chicago Cubs against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, his first outing since being hit with a line drive last week in Surprise, Ariz.

Garza suffered from control problems early on in a 13-4 loss, and gave up five first-inning runs on three hits and three walks. He wound up allowing six runs on four hits with four walks and four strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings.

Just throw this one out?

"You can't throw them out," he said. "These are the best outings to learn from. I could've (gone) four innings (of) shutout, but what would I have learned from that? I got out of my own way today. I was being stubborn and wanted to stick to my game plan when I could've pitched instead of just throwing my fastball and changeup. But I knew what I wanted to do, and things had to change. Give in and go get 'em."

By Paul Sullivan

MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs' overall defense has improved since they committed 14 errors in their first four games, but second baseman Blake DeWitt and outfielder Tyler Colvin have continued to struggle in the field.

Both made misplays Tuesday in Scottsdale that didn't go down as errors, and manager Mike Quade spoke about his concerns Wednesday morning at HoHoKam Park. Quade said both have work to do, especially DeWitt's work around the bag in turning double plays.

"I believe because of his work ethic, he'll get better," Quade said. "Where he's going to wind up with all this hard work, time will tell."

Carlos Zambrano delivers a pitch during a February spring training game. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)

By Paul Sullivan

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Carlos Zambrano's first big test of the spring came at the outset of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Colorado at Talking Stick.

Leadoff man Willy Taveras hit a grounder toward second baseman Blake DeWitt, who dived and let the ball get under his glove for a base hit. The old Zambrano might've thrown his hands in the air. The new Zambrano simply punched his first into his glove and went back to work, eventually getting out of the inning by retiring Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki on grounders.

"He's been fantastic," manager Mike Quade said of Zambrano's demanor before the game. "I've got nothing but good things to say about 'Z.' He's pitched well, which doesn't hurt, either. The kind of stuff I'd like to see from him all year.

"The more he can help stabilize the pitching end of it and the clubhouse and everything else with all these other veterans, the better we're going to be. He's been impressive on and off the field so far this spring."

By Paul Sullivan

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Carlos Silva insisted he was the victim of some bad luck during his eight-run inning Monday, when he was singled to death by the Los Angeles Angels.

The balls kept finding "holes, holes, holes ..." Silva said.

Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade defended Silva's performance afterward, and after looking at tapes of the third inning, pitching coach Mark Riggins concurred Tuesday with Silva's assessment.

"I felt so," Riggins said. "He made some pitches that went through the holes. When I look at a guy, I go evaluate first and then figure out what I need to talk to him about today, whether it's the delivery, whether it's his focus, his location or break on his pitches. Reviewing everything and thought he executed pitches pretty good, so i don't want to make a mountain out of something that's not really there."