--OF Reed Johnson, who was released by Toronto on Sunday, was quickly swooped up by the Cubs. Eager to have a right-handed-hitting center fielder to back up Felix Pie, Chicago gave Johnson a one-year, $1.3 million deal. In five big-league seasons with Toronto, Johnson has a .308 average against left-handed pitchers. His 2007 season was waylaid by a back injury, but he maintains he is healthy now.
In his Cubs exhibition debut Tuesday, Johnson went 2-for-5 and scored two runs. He started in center field and batted second.
--OF Sam Fuld, who had been a candidate for the Cubs' center field job, was optioned to Class AAA Iowa. Fuld hit .161 (5-for-31) this spring.
--OF Eric Patterson, who enjoyed a fine Cactus League campaign with the bat, was optioned to Class AAA Iowa. Patterson, the younger brother of ex-Cub Corey Patterson, batted .298 (14-for-47) and stole three bases.
--INF Micah Hoffpauir, who has been in the Cubs organization since 2002, will open another season in the minors. He was optioned to Class AAA Iowa on Tuesday despite a .382 spring average (21-for-55). He had two homers and seven RBIs.
--RHP Kerry Wood proved himself ready to close by pitching in back-to-back games for the first time this spring Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the team made the official announcement that he will be the closer. In nine big-league seasons, Wood has never recorded a save. Of course, for the first eight years, he was a starter. He made 22 relief appearances last season. Wood allowed four runs in 10 innings this spring, fanning 10 without walking a batter. "He's earned it," manager Lou Piniella said of the closer role.
--RHPs Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis will round out the Cubs' season-opening rotation, with RHP Jon Lieber ticketed for the bullpen. Dempster will be the third starter, so the Cubs can have a right-hander between LHPs Ted Lilly and Rich Hill. Dempster has a 5.23 ERA in a team-high 20 2/3 innings this spring. Marquis has a 2.95 ERA in 18 1/3 innings, while Lieber has a 2.50 mark in 18 innings. Manager Lou Piniella said he told Lieber that the team will need more than five starters this year.
--LHPs Carmen Pignatiello and Sean Marshall will compete for a bullpen job, as LHP Scott Eyre (tight left elbow) probably will open the season on the disabled list, manager Lou Piniella told the Chicago Tribune. Pignatiello has pitched eight scoreless innings this spring, while Marshall has yielded six runs (five earned) in 12 1/3 innings.
--INF Mike Fontenot increased his chances of making the team as a backup infielder. Fontenot has hit well in spring training, and manager Lou Piniella always has liked Fontenot's bat. On top of that, Fontenot showed he could play shortstop creditably, and Piniella also wants versatile players.
--LHP Scott Eyre will miss at least a few games this week and possibly the rest of spring training because of a tight left elbow. A red flag went up Saturday when Eyre threw only a few breaking pitches during a rough outing against the White Sox.
--1B Derrek Lee entered the week batting just .184 with one homer. Lee's power numbers dropped last season, one year removed from a broken right wrist. The Cubs say they aren't concerned about how many homers Lee hits as long as he's driving the ball.
--LHPs Sean Marshall and Carmen Pignatiello will compete for a bullpen job if LHP Scott Eyre (tight left elbow) can't start the season. Pignatiello entered the week having not given up a run in seven outings. Marshall has looked creditable in his spring starts. He has started 43 big-league games, but he appears adaptable.
BY THE NUMBERS 100 -- Years since the Cubs last won a World Series. Manager Lou Piniella addressed the anniversary at the beginning of spring training. Players claim it doesn't bother them, but they'll get constant reminders of it all season.
QUOTE TO NOTE "Truthfully, I still think we need a little work down here. A few of our hitters need more at-bats. Our pitching's in pretty good shape. I think we need a little more time for a few of our hitters, I'll be honest with you. They'll probably tell you we don't." -- Manager Lou Piniella on the iffy state of his team's offense in the waning days of spring training.
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