Cubs' spring facility needs 'revamping'

MESA, Ariz. - Sunday may have been the best example of why the Cubs have been clamoring for a new spring-training facility.

Heavy rains limited workouts. A few pitchers were able to throw on the outfield grass at Fitch Park, but many other pitchers and hitters trekked down the street to HoHoKam Park because there are only two covered batting cages at Fitch.

Pitchers and hitters each had to take their turns under cover.

"Notice that, because of only two covered mounds, we had to go to the other ballpark and take half our staff over there," said manager Lou Piniella. "I wouldn't say 'outdated,' but it could use some revamping."

When and if legislative hurdles are cleared in Arizona, the Cubs can get moving on building their new, state-of-the-art complex on the east side of town.

As it was Sunday, they managed to get done what they needed to get done.

"Yeah, we got as much work as we needed to," Piniella said. "We got some conditioning in, and all the pitchers threw. We kept half the pitchers here and sent the others to HoHoKam Park.

"The hitters got all the hitting. We really didn't miss much. Tomorrow, we're supposed to get some more rain. We'll see what happens."

Guzman progressing: Reliever Angel Guzman, who recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, probably "is two weeks behind everybody else," according to Lou Piniella. Guzman is doing some light throwing, but he's not able to run yet.

"I've been doing my throwing program, doing my therapy, and everything is coming," Guzman said.

He added he would be ready for Opening Day, April 5.

Guzman, 28, has had a history of injury problems. Last year was a breakthrough of sorts, as he pitched in 55 games out of the bullpen, by far his most prolific season. However, a triceps problem shut him down at the end of the season.

"Almost," he said. "That is what is always in my head, that 'almost.' I just want to be able to stay healthy for the 162 games. So that's my goal, pretty much, this year."

Sights and sounds: The fastballs sounded a little faster inside the covered batting cages. Getting good pop was reliever Jeff Stevens, who was throwing before the watchful eye of Greg Maddux, the future Hall of Fame pitcher now an assistant to general manager Jim Hendry.

"I would pay a catcher to make that mitt pop as much as possible," Lou Piniella said. "We've got some nice arms here. But inside, boy, that makes your fastball look about 3 or 4 miles an hour faster."