Barney impresses Cubs

MESA Ariz. — Darwin Barney has played himself onto the Cubs roster and maybe even into some starting time.

That was one of the twists to Thursday’s developments, which set the opening-day roster except for pitchers and catchers.

Not only has the 25-year-old Barney pushed himself into the picture at second base, but he’s also pushed Blake DeWitt into getting some reps at third base for possible backup work.

“I’m going to stay on my same routine,” said Barney, who played in 30 games for the Cubs last year. “I’m going to keep working hard. I’m going to get here early and try and get right. I’m not going to change anything.

“It’s good to know that Phase 1 is done. The job’s done. I worked my (butt) off. I’m breaking with the Chicago Cubs. It’s pretty amazing. Now the focus is on the team. It’s on winning.”

Manager Mike Quade admitted to some sleepless nights lately because of the roster cuts he has had to make.

Here is how things shook out Thursday:

Ÿ The Cubs optioned outfielder Fernando Perez to Class AAA Iowa and sent nonroster infielders Matt Camp, Bobby Scales, Scott Moore and Augie Ojeda to minor league camp.

Ÿ The upshot is that in addition to Barney making the club, so has nonroster outfielder Reed Johnson, who beat out Perez, a speedy outfielder who has had trouble getting on base and also needs to refine his defense.

Ÿ DeWitt, who came up with the Dodgers as a third baseman before moving to second, will see more time at third the rest of the spring. If DeWitt’s hitting doesn’t pick up, he could be a backup to Barney and Jeff Baker at second and to Aramis Ramirez at third.

“He’s struggled,” Quade said of DeWitt, who is hitting .167. “But we’re going to be patient with him. He’s 25 years old. He’s a .260 lifetime big-league hitter. We’re going to expect him to get a lot better. I’ve asked him to play nothing but second base. We will change that a little bit. We’re going to continue his work at second. We’re going to ask him to take some balls at third and look at it as that being a possibility as well.

“I think we wanted to give him a chance to develop as much as he could at second base, and that’s still a work in progress, there’s no question.”

DeWitt seemed understanding.

“Whatever helps the team, I’m willing to do whatever and always have been,” he said. “I like playing second base better, but this game’s about winning.”

DeWitt didn’t mince words when asked about his spring.

“It obviously hasn’t been what I’ve wanted to do,” he said. “It’s been a struggle. The last couple days, I’ve been feeling good. It’s one of those things. You know you’re going to be ready for the season.”

Quade said he was “thrilled to death with the way Baker and Barney have played.”

He stopped just short of naming Barney a starter. Barney’s situation could be similar to that of Ryan Theriot in 2007. Back then, Theriot won the starting shortstop job early in the regular season after then-manager Lou Piniella decided Cesar Izturis could not handle the job. In Thursday’s 8-7 win over the White Sox, Barney hit a single, a 2-run triple and turned a pair of nice double plays.

“He’s played himself into significant time,” Quade said of Barney. “His time will be determined. It’s spring training. He’s making progress. He does a lot of things outside of the batter’s box that you really like. He’s given himself every chance to be an important part of this infield. Now, we’ll go north, and we’ll see what happens in April.”