Cubs' coaching staff complete, but no Sandberg

The Cubs officially completed their coaching staff Wednesday and all but said goodbye to Ryne Sandberg.

During a conference call from Mesa, Ariz., where the Cubs are holding their organization meetings, general manager Jim Hendry and field boss Mike Quade praised new bench coach Pat Listach and new staff assistant Dave Keller.

Hendry also said Cubs Hall of Famer Sandberg would not return to manage the Cubs' Class AAA Iowa farm club.

Hendry said Sandberg would pursue other opportunities, but if there was a role with the Cubs organization that interested Sandberg, he'd be welcome.

It appears, though, the Sandberg's days with the Cubs are over, at least for now.

Listach, 43, returns to the Cubs after two years as the third-base coach for the Washington Nationals. He previously worked as a manager and hitting coach in the Cubs system.

Keller, 51, has been the Cubs' minor-league hitting coordinator for the past seven years. In his new role, he will be in uniform before games to help during batting practice and other drills.

“I was interested in familiarity with both myself and the organization, the best we could, to fill the staff,” Quade said. “We're obviously thrilled to have the guys back that were here last year.

“Both Kell and Pat have exactly what I was looking for: young, energetic, and I'm familiar with both of them. Our personalities work together.”

Quade added that Keller also would be a good liaison between Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and the minor-league system.

Listach also will work with Cubs infielders. Remaining on the staff are Jaramillo, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, first-base coach Bob Dernier, third-base coach Ivan DeJesus and bullpen coach Lester Strode.

Hailing Mesa vote:

Jim Hendry expressed happiness that voters in Mesa approved a ballot measure that will provide funding for the Cubs to remain for spring training in a large new complex.

“We're all thrilled with the vote,” Hendry said. “Obviously, we've had such a storied history with the people in Mesa. Nobody from our end of the operation ever wanted to leave.

“We've been treated great here for 50 years. I think (Cubs owner) Tom Ricketts made it clear that his preference always was to stay here. I can't be more thankful or appreciative of the way the people in Mesa carried themselves the last six months.”

Ramirez update:

Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is expected to make official this week that he is returning to the Cubs and not exercising his out clause. Ramirez will earn $14.6 million next year. He told reporters at the end of the season he would be back.

“We've always had a good relationship,” Jim Hendry said. “He told me a few times near the end of the season that he would be back, just kind of a general understanding.

“That's the way it's been. Paul Kinzer (Ramirez's agent) and I had a conversation at the end of the season. There have been reports he's done the paperwork on it. I have not spoken to Paul yet.

“We never even gave it a thought. There was never a discussion from his camp that he was not considering coming back.”

Top prospect ailing:

The Cubs have shut down top prospect Brett Jackson because of a bacterial infection in his lower right leg. He had been playing in the Arizona Fall League.

Jackson was the Cubs' first-round draft pick in 2009. This year he played at Class A Daytona and at Class AA Tennessee.

Jim Hendry said Jackson would be “out a few weeks” and then the Cubs would put together a program for him entering spring training.