Doctors to examine DeRosa again today

MESA, Ariz. -- It turns out Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa spent Saturday night into Sunday at a Mesa hospital after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during drills Saturday morning.

DeRosa was released early Sunday evening, and although the Cubs say he's fine, it's still not certain when he'll be able to resume full baseball activities.

Originally, the Cubs said DeRosa had been sent home Saturday evening. That turned out to be incorrect information, and the Cubs said DeRosa remained overnight for precautionary reasons.

Cubs doctors and a cardiologist are expected to examine DeRosa today.

At DeRosa's request, Cubs internist Dr. Stephen Adams spoke with reporters Sunday.

"He had an episode yesterday of an atrial dysrhythmia that he's had in the past that has lasted briefly," Adams said. "This one had a bit of an extended period of time (and) for which he contacted our head athletic trainer, Mark O'Neal, who appropriately saw him and was with him."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella said that when the problem occurred in the past, DeRosa solved it with breathing exercises.

"When it didn't break with his usual maneuvers that it breaks with, we decided to take him to the hospital," Adams said. "We had him monitored, and he went into a normal sinus rhythm yesterday afternoon from the atrial arrhythmia and is resting comfortably. He was kept in the hospital last night and is undergoing an evaluation."

Cubs management stressed DeRosa's situation is not life-threatening and it's possible he could be back on the practice field by midweek, although he may be limited in the number of activities and their intensity. Adams said test results from the weekend could be ready by today.

"We're going to have to be a little precautious here over the next few days," said Piniella, who added that several players visited DeRosa in the hospital Saturday. "But there's really nothing to concern ourselves about."

Pitcher accosted: Relief pitcher Jose Ascanio was sporting a nasty black eye Sunday. The Cubs said Ascanio was punched by a man outside a convenience store in Scottsdale. Apparently, robbery was the motive.

Ascanio went to a hospital Saturday, was treated and released that night.

"He got beat up pretty good last night," Lou Piniella said. "He got punched a few times by a guy that was looking for some money. The guy asked for some money, and evidently, (Ascanio) said, 'I don't have any money,' and the guy punched him a few times. So he went over to the hospital. His eye was closed and he had some swelling on the left side of his face."

Even higher praise: One day after appearing to discover that outfielder Matt Murton has a good swing, Lou Piniella took it to a higher level Sunday.

"I tell you what, Murton's got the best swing I've seen," Piniella said. "I've told him that, too. He's swinging the bat really, really well. It's aggressive. It's short. It's compact. It's quick to the ball with some power."

The Cubs have been trying to trade Murton all winter, and this may be Piniella's way of drumming up some interest.

Piniella also praised recently signed infielder Alex Cintron.

"He says he likes the food in the big leagues a lot more than he does in Triple-A," Piniella said.

Taking it easy: The Cubs had a light workout Sunday, with no live batting practice as pitchers got a rest. Position players took batting practice and had sliding drills for the first time in camp.