Tagged: Tony Campana
3/1 D-backs 6, Cubs 2
Tony Campana, traded to Arizona before Cactus League games started, delivered a two-run pinch-hit double in a four-run sixth to spark the Diamondbacks to a 6-2 victory Friday over the Cubs.
D-backs starter Trevor Cahill walked David DeJesus to open the Cubs first, Luis Valbuena singled and Anthony Rizzo hit a RBI double. One out later, Nate Schierholtz hit a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
Jeff Samardzija, vying for the Cubs’ Opening Day assignment, breezed through the first but had some trouble in the second. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases in the second on a single and two walks, and a run scored when Mark Teahen hit into a double play. Samardzija gave up one run on one hit and three walks over three innings, striking out one.
“You don’t want to be in those situations [like the second inning],” Samardzija said, “but you’ll be in those situations during the year and it’s almost like when you get in those situations like I was today, if you take a deep breath, and understand, ‘OK, let’s work on getting out of this,’ so if it comes up in the season, you have a better idea of how to do it.”
Teahen hit a one-out RBI single in the fourth off Michael Bowden to tie the game. Arizona loaded the bases in the sixth against Rafael Dolis, who then walked two in a row to force in two runs. Dolis exited, and Campana, who was designated for assignment Feb. 10, then traded to Arizona one week later for two 17-year-old Minor League pitchers, greeted Blake Parker with a two-run double.
“Good for him, bad for us,” Dale Sveum said of Campana, who also hit a triple.
Campana is slated to open the season with the D-backs’ Triple-A team.
— Carrie Muskat
2/18 Cubs deal Campana to D-Backs
The Cubs dealt outfielder Tony Campana to the Diamondbacks on Monday for a pair of 17-year-old Venezuelan pitchers, Erick Leal and Jesus Castillo. Campana, 26, did lead the Cubs in stolen bases last season but struggled to get on base consistently. He was designated for assignment on Feb. 10.
— Carrie Muskat
2/14 Thursday first watch
* Anthony Rizzo doesn’t know his exact schedule yet regarding the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs’ first baseman will be playing for Team Italy, which is in the same pool as the U.S. team, Canada and Mexico. Italy’s first game is March 7 against Mexico at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. Italy will then play Canada on March 8, and face the U.S. on March 9. The Italian team has yet to name a manager.
* The Cubs would like to play more night games but the topic has been tabled. The team currently plays 30 night games out of the 81 home dates. Alderman Tom Tunney, who represents the Wrigley area, did not bring up the topic at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, preferring to have the Cubs address parking, traffic and security issues in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
“Me, personally, I like the day games,” Rizzo said. “It’s the routine I get in at home. I feel night games would throw me off a little bit. But if there are more night games, I’d get into that routine. I personaly like the day games.”
Does he see the ball better at night at Wrigley?
“I don’t think I’ve played enough games to state my opinion yet,” he said. “It doesn’t matter, day or night, it’s still baseball.’
Rizzo batted .257 at night last season and .312 in day games.
* Tony Campana has yet to find a new team after being designated for assignment on Sunday. Rizzo said the move may benefit the outfielder.
“I think it’ll be good, a fresh start,” Rizzo said. “I just told him to keep his head up. He’s a good player. He’ll be successful.”
Campana, moved to make room on the roster for Scott Hairston, is fast, but has had trouble getting on base consistently to utilize his speed.
“I can think of teams in my head right away who could bring him in,” Rizzo said. “I think right now, our team isn’t a fit for him. We need more power than speed.”
* Dayan Diaz reported to camp on Thursday. The only pitcher missing is Hector Rondon, who has been delayed because of visa problems. He was expected in Mesa on Friday. Position players must report by Saturday. So far, the list of players yet to arrive include Javier Baez, Starlin Castro, Junior Lake, Ian Stewart, Luis Valbuena, Josh Vitters, Jorge Soler and Alfonso Soriano.
— Carrie Muskat
2/11 Monday first watch
Looking ahead to the first week in Cubs camp:
* Carlos Marmol was at Fitch Park on Monday to undergo his physical and meet with manager Dale Sveum and staff. Marmol, who was charged with domestic abuse by a woman in the Dominican Republic, will give the media an update later in the day. The Cubs have investigated the matter and believe Marmol may be the victim.
“We don’t have all the information — obviously, we weren’t there — but every piece of information we were able to gather backs up Carlos’ story that he’s guilty of no wrong doing whatsoever and may in fact be the victim here if this case continues to be pursued like this,” Theo Epstein said. “All we can do is evaluate it on the merits. We do expect this matter will be behind him shortly based on the way it’s proceeding in the Dominican courts.”
* Tony Campana was designated for assignment on Sunday, but he could rejoin the team if he is not claimed by another team. Campana overcame cancer, made his debut near his hometown in Ohio, and is very popular among Cubs fans. He does have speed and the ability to create havoc on the bases. But he didn’t get on base enough — he has a .306 on-base percentage and .264 batting average.
“I think the biggest area where Tony needs to continue to work is finding a way to get on base where he can continue to use his speed,” Epstein said. “Regardless of what happens, we value his contributions, value his character and wish him the best.”
* Monday, pitchers and catchers will undergo physicals at Fitch Park with the first workout scheduled for Tuesday. Pitchers to watch include Matt Garza, coming back from an elbow injury, and Scott Baker, who had Tommy John surgery last year.
* What will be interesting to watch is who is the backup first baseman during drills once position players arrive. We’ll keep you posted.
— Carrie Muskat
2/10 Cubs sign Hairston; Campana DFA
The Cubs added to their bench on Sunday, signing free agent outfielder Scott Hairston to a two-year, $5 million contract. Tony Campana was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Hairston batted .263 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs last season with the Mets. A right-handed hitter, he has played for the Diamondbacks, Padres, Athletics, and Mets, and has a career .247 average. Hairston could platoon in right field with left-handed hitting Nate Schierholtz. Hairston’s older brother, Jerry Jr., played for the Cubs from 2005-06.
Campana, 26, who was popular among Cubs fans because of his speed, batted .262 with nine doubles, one home run, 54 stolen bases, a .306 on-base percentage and a .300 slugging percentage in 184 games over the last two seasons.
— Carrie Muskat
12/17 Winter ball update
Junior Lake hit a grand slam in the fifth inning Sunday to help Estrellas beat Gigantes, 5-3, in Dominican Winter League play. It was Lake’s fifth home run, and he was batting .324 overall with 23 RBIs in 41 games. Cubs pitcher Rafael Dolis picked up a hold in the game, striking out one and giving up one hit in one-third of an inning.
Tony Campana has finished his Venezuelan winter league assignment. He batted .231 in 16 games with Leones del Caracas, totaling eight stolen bases and compiling a .322 on-base percentage.
— Carrie Muskat
12/15 Winter League update
Tony Campana was 1-for-4 on Friday for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. Campana was batting .231 overall with eight stolen bases in 16 games. Pitcher Hector Rondon, whom the Cubs acquired in the Rule 5 Draft, has given up 10 earned runs on 15 hits over 20 innings while striking out 11 in 22 games. Teams were batting .214 agaisnt him.
Luis Valbuena was 1-for-5 on Friday for Cardenales de Lara. He’s now batting .308 in 41 games in Venezuela.
Junior Lake continued to rank among the league leaders in the Dominican with a .326 average. Lake has seven doubles, one triple and four home runs over 39 games. He’s started in left field in six of his last 12 games.
12/11 Winter League updates
Junior Lake was 2-for-4 on Saturday with two RBIs for Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Republic. Lake was batting .336 in 38 games with four home runs and 19 RBIs. He’s hitting .579 (11-for-19) against left-handed pitchers.
Updating Michael Bowden’s last outing for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican: the right-hander gave up three runs on seven hits and one walk over 4 2/3 innings on Saturday. He’s now 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA in seven starts.
Dave Sappelt was batting .324 in 18 games with Bravos de Margarita in Venezuela.
Hector Rondon, whom the Cubs acquired in the Rule 5 Draft from the Indians, has a 4.26 ERA in 21 games in relief for Leones del Caracas in Venezuela. He’s given up nine earned runs on 13 hits and five walks, while striking out 11 over 19 innings. Teams were batting .197 against him.
Tony Campana was batting .205 with seven stolen bases in 14 games with Leones del Caracas.
— Carrie Muskat
12/7 Winter ball update
Tony Campana may be able to give the Cubs a good scouting report on new pitcher Hector Rondon. The two are playing for the same team in Venezuela. On Thursday, Campana was 1-for-4 and scored a run on Thursday for Leones del Caracas in Venezuelan winter league play. He’s batting .200 in 13 games. Rondon, acquired in Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft from the Indians organization, gave up one run on two hits over one inning in relief on Thursday for Leones. Rondon, who is coming back from two elbow procedures, has appeared in 20 games in Venezuela, striking out 11 over 18 innings.
Dave Sappelt was 2-for-4 with one RBI and scored two runs for Bravos de Margarita in Venezuela. He was batting .324 in 18 games with three home runs, three doubles, one triple and 10 RBIs.
— Carrie Muskat
12/6 Winter league roundup
Tony Campana went 1-for-4 with a stolen base on Wednesday for Leones del Caracas in Venezuela. Campana now has seven steals in 12 games.
Luis Valbuena was 1-for-4 on Wednesday for Cardenales de Lara in Venezuela. He’s batting .326 in 37 games with four home runs, 12 doubles and 24 RBIs.
Junior Lake was 1-for-3 for Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. In 37 games, he’s batting .331 with four home runs and 17 RBIs. He’s played shortstop, third base and left field. Cubs reliever Rafael Dolis has appeared in three games for Estrellas, and picked up a win in relief in his last outing on Sunday, striking out three over 1 1/3 innings.
— Carrie Muskat
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