Cubs' 2019 spring training highlights include Red Sox, Brewers
The Cubs have an interesting twist to their 2019 spring-training schedule, released Wednesday.
They will welcome the Boston Red Sox from Florida's Grapefruit League to the Cactus League in Arizona during the final week of March.
This past spring, the Cubs finished up their spring with two games against the Red Sox in Florida. The Red Sox will be on their way to the West Coast to open the regular season when they stop by Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, for exhibition games on March 25-26.
The Cubs open the Cactus League season Feb. 23 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Sloan Park. They will host the White Sox March 3 and travel to Camelback Ranch to play the White Sox March 15.
Hamels' historic numbers:
Cole Hamels started Tuesday night's game, which was suspended and finished Wednesday, with the Cubs winning 2-1 in 11 innings.
Hamels worked 5 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.69. He became the sixth qualifying Cub to go unbeaten in August (4-0) with an ERA below 1.00. He is the first Cubs pitcher to do so since Jake Arrieta in 2015. Hamels' 1.45 ERA in 9 career starts at Wrigley Field is the lowest in major-league history among pitchers with at least 9 starts at Wrigley.
Pitcher maneuverings:
The Cubs called up pitcher James Norwood as the 26th man for Wednesday's second game. Norwood was called up for the third time this season. He made his major-league debut last month. He pitched the ninth inning Wednesday, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned.
Left-hander Drew Smyly, who is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery, will make a minor-league rehab appearance for Class A South Bend Thursday. He is scheduled to pitch an inning in his first rehab appearance of the season. It's questionable whether he will be ready to pitch a major-league game this season.
Closer Brandon Morrow continues to play catch as he recovers from biceps inflammation. There is no timetable for his return, but the Cubs are hoping for mid-September.