Vindication for Cubs in Maddon tampering case

Cubs president Theo Epstein repeatedly said he didn't lose a minute's sleep worrying about the tampering charges filed by the Tampa Bay Rays concerning the Cubs' hiring of manager Joe Maddon.

Everybody in the organization was resting just as easily Wednesday, when Major League Baseball ruled the Cubs did not violate tampering rules when they hired Maddon last fall.

That concluded a six-month investigation that began when Maddon opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay in late October. On Nov. 3, 2014, the Cubs introduced Maddon as their manager.

"I suppose you could say vindication because it had been a public process," said Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer. "There was never any concern of any wrongdoing. So we did encourage a thorough process. I'm glad they did that."

Hoyer was asked why the process took six months.

"There was a lot of data," he said. "They had a lot of things to go through. They interviewed a lot of people. And then they were thorough. I'm sure also they were probably working on a number of other investigations at the same time. The idea that this is the only thing they have going on in a huge industry is probably false.

"We're glad that the process is over, glad that the result we expected came through. Now we can put it behind us and never talk about it."

Maddon expressed an interest in moving on even as he said he maintains a good relationship with Rays ownership.

"We're all glad that's in the rearview mirror right now," he said. "We just feel really good about all of that, that it turned out the way it did and let's just move on and continue to play baseball."

If the Cubs had been found guilty of tampering, they could have been fined and/or lost players or at least one draft pick.

Bryant on the ballot:

The Cubs have eight players on the ballot for this year's All-Star Game, to be played July 14 in Cincinnati. Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro, who made the all-star team last year, are on the ballot as is rookie third baseman Kris Bryant.

"I don't feel like I've done much to earn that yet," Bryant said. "But it's definitely an honor."

Injury updates:

Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who is on the disabled list with a left-groin strain, was at Wrigley Field to throw a bullpen session. Wada is on a rehab assignment at Class AAA Iowa.

Reliever Justin Grimm (forearm inflammation) threw a bullpen session Tuesday in Arizona. Jed Hoyer said Grimm may throw a simulated game or pitch in a game at extended spring training this weekend.

Another right-handed reliever, Neil Ramirez, is playing catch, but he has "not progressed to the mound yet," according to Hoyer. Ramirez is on the DL with right-shoulder inflammation. Infielder Tommy La Stella (rib-cage is taking it slowly in Arizona. He has been on the DL since April 9.