Cubs GM Hendry likes what he sees

MESA, Ariz. — After a month of spring-training games, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry sounded happy with his team Sunday.

“I’m pleased with the way the second half of camp has gone,” Hendry said. “We played a lot better baseball. We’re pitching better. We’re catching it better.

“I think guys — the next couple of days they may be anxious to get out of here — but I think they’ve kept it together real well.

“We’ve won a lot of close games lately. It’s nice to see some people who were not throwing as well earlier are late. We’re certainly playing better defense. A lot of positives.”

Hendry said he did not mind manager Mike Quade sacrificing, so to speak, a few victories early to get some of the basics down.

“I think Mike’s run the camp very well,” he said. “I applaud the way he decided from Day One was that the goal was to get the team ready for April. Right out of the gate, our pitchers were hitting, getting bunts down.

“We played American League teams. ‘No problem, you get your team ready any way you want,’ and Mike got his team ready the way he wanted.

“It probably cost us a few games, which aren’t relevant here, but I think a lot of people first year out of the gate might not have done it that way. I think we’re about as well prepared as we could be.”

Players such as Darwin Barney and Marcos Mateo won jobs by their spring performances.

The Cubs have an imperfect lineup from a hitting standpoint, but Hendry said he likes what he has seen from Quade, both at the end of last season and this spring.

Hendry said he also knows things begin for real Friday.

“I think Mike’s on top of it completely,” Hendry said. “He does pay attention to matchups and numbers, but he also goes by his gut, too, which is good.

“A good feel for it. Go no farther than the way he’s handled Barney. Obviously, you have to take what you build on here into the season.

“We all know things change after April 1. There will be a different climate, playing for real. There will be some people who left here hot and don’t get out hot. That’s the way baseball is.

“Mike has the respect, and I think all 25 guys feel they’re going to be a part of it.”

Dempster ready: Opening-day starter Ryan Dempster made his final tuneup Sunday, pitching 4 innings in a loss to the Colorado Rockies.Dempster threw 73 pitches and gave up 5 hits and 3 runs. The Cubs trailed 6-0 in the eighth, when Tyler Colvin made it close with a grand slam. It was Colvin#146;s third homer of the spring.Dempster wound up 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA for the spring. He said he#146;s looking forward to Friday at Wrigley Field.#147;It#146;s a tremendous honor,#148; he said. #147;There#146;s probably more leading up to it, but once that first pitch is thrown, it#146;s just like any other game. I#146;m going to treat it like any other start and just be prepared.#148;Happy with Cashner: Manager Mike Quade said he was happy with how No. 5 starter Andrew Cashner rebounded from a 5-run first inning Saturday against the Texas Rangers.#147;I was thrilled beyond belief for a lot of reasons,#148; Quade said. #147;Part of it is, to me, who is he in regards to his power arm with his slider and his changeup?#147;He threw some fabulous changeups and some decent sliders. But again, this (Arizona) is an unforgiving place. He was so juiced. For me, he#146;s a power sinker guy and a power slider guy. He#146;ll get his strikeouts, but what I saw (in innings) 2-5 is who I think he needs to be.#148;Catch this: Sunday#146;s release of pitcher Carlos Silva leaves the roster at 27. The Cubs will have to cut two catchers.Welington Castillo, who has had a good spring, has battled a right-index-finger injury. The Cubs want him to get playing time, so he#146;ll open at Class AAA Iowa. Max Ramirez has battled a wrist injury. He pinch hit Sunday. Koyie Hill, the likely backup to Geovany Soto, is just 1-for-29 (.034) at the plate. Mike Quade said he saw no scenario where Hill does not make the team.