Koskie's future in jeopardy
MESA, Ariz. - Third baseman Corey Koskie spent much of Friday huddling with the Cubs' training staff, and it's likely he'll make a decision Saturday about the course of his future.
The 35-year-old Koskie signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs earlier this spring and came to camp as a nonroster player. He is coming off a 21/2-year absence from baseball as he tries to recover from the effects of post-concussion syndrome after he was injured in 2006 while with the Brewers.
Koskie's spring seemed to get off to a good start, but he left Thursday's game against the Mariners after feeling lightheaded. He batted twice and fielded a pair of routine grounders. But Cubs manager Lou Piniella said after the game that Koskie didn't feel right after diving for one groundball.
On Friday, Koskie arrived at HoHoKam Park early and met with members of the training staff and the front office. The Cubs said they expect Koskie to make a decision about his future Saturday. The did not have a definite diagnosis of his ailment, nor did they speculate on whether it's related to his past problems.
Koskie played for the Minnesota Twins from 1998-2004, the Toronto Blue Jays in 2005 and the Brewers in '06. The Cubs have been looking at him as a possible backup to Aramis Ramirez at third base.
Dueling closers: Carlos Marmol worked 2 perfect innings in Friday's 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. Kevin Gregg pitched 11/3 innings, giving up 1 hit and striking out three
The two pitchers are competing to be the Cubs' closer.
"Larry and I visited on that," Lou Piniella said, referring to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. "We'll have some word for you by the middle of next week."
Harden ill: The Cubs scratched pitcher Rich Harden from Friday's scheduled start because he was suffering from a stomach illness. The Cubs had hoped for Harden to throw a simulated game, but he was too ill for that, so they sent him home.
Lou Piniella said he didn't believe this latest development would keep Harden from starting the fourth game of the regular season. Harden has pitched twice this spring.
Heilman OK: Aaron Heilman expressed disappointment at losing out to Sean Marshall for the fifth-starter's job, but he said he was prepared to go to the bullpen. He has been a reliever most of his career with the Mets. Heilman is 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA this spring.
"At the end of the day, the only thing you can do is go out there and perform and let that speak for itself," Heilman said. "It didn't speak as loudly as I wanted it to."
Boffo box office: Friday's game drew 13,162, which the Cubs said was a Cactus League record. The "old" mark was set St. Patrick's Day, when the Cubs and Dodgers played before 13,046 in Glendale. The record may fall today when the Cubs and White Sox meet in Glendale.