Piniella to 'tone it down early' as Cubs' spring games begin

Piniella to slowly work in vets while youngsters get a long look

By Paul Sullivan | Tribune reporter

February 25, 2009

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs play host to the Los Angeles Dodgers to kick off their 39-game exhibition schedule Wednesday, beginning a long grind that ends April 4 at the new Yankee Stadium.

"Big rivalry," Ryan Dempster cracked, referring to the Cactus League opener. "Actually, I'm disappointed I don't get to redeem myself against the Dodgers."

Dempster probably will have to wait until the end of May to try to make amends for the seven walks and game-turning grand slam to James Loney he allowed in Game 1 of last year's NL Division Series. He's not scheduled to pitch until later this week as he overcomes a stiff neck that he joked was incurred during a jousting tournament at a medieval-themed restaurant.

While Dempster gets a chance to work on his material, manager Lou Piniella will try to get his regulars plenty of rest. Derrek Lee, Geovany Soto, Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot will play in the opener, with Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Reed Johnson getting into the lineup Thursday.

"We're going to try and break it up a little," Piniella said.

The operative phrase this spring, one Piniella told Bradley during batting practice Tuesday, is, "Tone it down early." Piniella will throw a lot of youngsters into the mix, especially on the mound, in hopes it pays off at the start of the season and all the way into October.

Last spring Piniella was miffed about the pitching after starting slowly in the Cactus League, at one point threatening to take over the pitching decisions from Larry Rothschild to give the team a better chance to win. Though he eventually backed off, Piniella hates to lose any game he's managing, whether it counts or not.

But this figures to be a different spring, and even if the Cubs start slowly, Piniella probably won't be as upset. More minor-leaguers will get chances to prove themselves, though the only roster battles are for the final bullpen slot and perhaps a backup infielder in case Fontenot or Aaron Miles doesn't work as Ramirez's replacement at third.

Shortstop Luis Rivas, a former Twin, and Bobby Scales, who hit .320 at Triple-A Iowa last year, will get chances at third, Piniella said. Cubs scouts will be looking for potential pickups during games in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues.

Some to watch this spring are right-hander Mitch Atkins, who won a combined 17 games at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa; right-hander Andrew Cashner, a first-round pick in last year's draft; catcher Wellington Castillo, the starter for the World team in last summer's All-Star Futures Game; and outfielder Doug Deeds, who was acquired from Minnesota for Craig Monroe and hit .325 at Tennessee.

"We're going to be able to evaluate a lot of these young kids," Piniella said. "And as soon as the [ World Baseball Classic] is over, we'll have a pretty good idea of what all these guys can do."

psullivan@tribune.com