Cubs name Wells their fourth starter
MESA, Ariz. — If Randy Wells was at all worried, he can stop.
Before Wells went out and tossed 5 innings in the Cubs’ 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners Friday, he officially was named the team’s fourth starter.
There shouldn’t have been any drama. Wells has enjoyed one of the better springs on the club.
He didn’t get the decision Friday, but he’s 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA. Having given up 16 hits and 6 walks in 25 innings, Wells’ WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) is a microscopic 0.86.
“It was all right,” he said. “I pretty much accomplished what I wanted to. I put a couple things on my goal list, and one was to have a strong spring and show the team that last year was a fluke, a down year, and that I’m a better pitcher than I showed last year. I was working on focus, putting baseball as huge priority and coming to the field every day wanting to learn, eager to learn.”
Wells was his own worst critic in the off-season. After a 2009 rookie season in which he went 12-10 with a 3.05 ERA, Wells fell to 8-14 with a 4.26 ERA in 2010. He blamed himself for losing focus at times during the season.
The 28-year-old right-hander came to spring training in competition for one of the final two spots in the rotation.
Although the job looked to be his for some time, manager Mike Quade made it official Friday morning.
“He’s the best,” Quade said. “He’s had a marvelous spring. I’ve gotten wrapped up in so many decisions that I finally had to go to him today and say, ‘Hey, by the way, make sure you know how to get to Chicago.’ And we’ll put him on the charter to make sure. Look for him to just keep getting better. He’s had as good a spring as anybody.”
Quade took over as manager last August and said he saw no problems with Wells that prevented him from having more success.
“I love the way he’s handled himself here,” the manager said. “Last year, he was fine with me. It’s so funny how you’re more attuned to that once you sit in the lead dog’s seat as opposed to coaching third. He’s done a fine job.
“Everybody’s got to live their life and do what they do. As long as his focus on the baseball field stays what it has been... for the bulk of the time I was here last year and this spring, he’s going to be fine. He can pitch, and he’s going to be better.”
Against the Mariners, Wells gave up 5 hits and 3 runs. He struck out eight, a high for him this spring. The Mariners scored 2 runs in the first and 1 in the third against him. Wells wound up throwing 91 pitches. He’s slated to pitch in an intrasquad game next Wednesday, the day the Cubs break camp.
“I felt like I did enough, but to hear it from the horse’s mouth is pretty satisfying,” he said of getting the fourth-starter’s job. “I had my mind set on making the team and pitching well. They put up a competition. I pitched pretty well. It’s pretty gratifying to be part of Q’s squad.
“I think we’ve got something special here, I really do. We’ve got great team morale, great chemistry. We’re hitting the ball. I think everything’s going to come together once things count.”
Wells definitely made it count this spring.