Piniella high on Fukudome
PEORIA, Ariz. - Lou Piniella ran into an unexpected visitor Tuesday morning, and the Cubs' manager liked what he saw.
Kosuke Fukudome, playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, dropped by at Cubs camp to check in on his major-league team.
"He looks wonderful, really in good shape," Piniella said. "I told him we're holding a spot for him and we'll put him out in center field. We're going to try him in the No. 2 hole in the lineup. He said he's been working hard. He's excited about this World Baseball Classic, and afterward he's looking forward to joining us."
Fukudome will play for Japan in an exhibition game against the Cubs on Thursday in Mesa.
When he's finished with the WBC, he'll begin his second major-league season.
Big things were expected from Fukudome last year, and the 31-year-old outfielder lived up to the billing in the first half while batting .279. After the all-star break, Fukudome batted .217.
Piniella expects Fukudome to be much more comfortable in his second season.
"I think he's more acclimated this year," Piniella said. "I know he's worked hard. The Japanese national team, they work hard and have good coaches, so he's got a good foundation put in. I think you'll see this young man the way he did the first half of last season all year for us.
"He did awfully well the first half of last year. He tailed off, but I expect him this year, with the second full year in, he's going to do some good things for us."
Rolling in relief: Starter Ryan Dempster was pleased with the way he pitched out of the bullpen in Tuesday's win over Seattle, working 3 scoreless innings.
"That's the best I've thrown all spring," Dempster said. "My arm feels good."
Koskie coming? Now that Canada is out of the WBC, third baseman Corey Koskie is expected to report to the Cubs' training camp Thursday. Koskie, who hasn't played in the major leagues since 2006, signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs late last month.
"We'll give him a chance to play, if he's able to," Lou Piniella said.
Cubs tickets for sale: Single-game Cubs tickets for the dugout, bullpen and Bud Light bleacher box seats will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available exclusively at cubs.com and only on a single-game basis. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase up to six dugout, bullpen or Bud Light Bleacher Box tickets. A virtual waiting room will be used for all Internet orders. The virtual waiting room will begin accepting customers at 9:30 a.m. Friday. At 10 a.m., customers will be randomly selected from the virtual waiting room to begin purchasing tickets. For more details and ticket pricing information, please visit cubs.com.