Cubs News from Yahoo Sports

New York Yankees reliever Andrew Miller plans to pitch with a broken wrist in his glove hand. Miller sustained a chip fracture of his right wrist Wednesday when hit by a line drive off the bat of Atlanta's Willians Astudillo's liner. ''I think I can work around it,'' Miller said Thursday before the Yankees played St. Louis.

For the last oh, let's say 108 years, things have not gone well for the Chicago Cubs. That's how long it's been since one of baseball's most storied franchises has gone without winning a World Series championship. And because of that remarkable run of futility mixed with bad luck, baseball fans tend to expect the worst for the Cubs even when there are lights beaming at the end of the tunnel. [ Sign up for Fantasy Baseball | Play for $40K | Expert rankings | Mock draft ] In the year 2015 though, that light seemed to get nearer and nearer with each passing day. To the point now that people actually believe a World Series celebration could happen on the north side of Chicago. And the stunning events of March 30, 2016, may have confirmed that such a moment is now inevitable. You see, what happened during Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Colorado Rockies wasn't just unexpected, it was once considered impossible. Pitcher Jon Lester, who started his career with 66 hitless at-bats, the longest hitless streak in the history of baseball, not only reached base safely, he rounded those same bases after connecting with his first professional home run. The game was not televised, so we've called upon MLB's resources and eyewitnesses in the ballpark to confirm what happened. Lester just crushed a home run!!! #cubs pic.twitter.com/JlR5Jqbeel — Jon Ferlise (@CubsKingdom) March 30, 2016 Indeed, that is a home run. And the reaction of Cubs fans in attendance confirm it as a monumental home run. Lester's two-run blast was a small part of Chicago's seven-run fourth inning rally. It was also the first half of back-to-back homers with Kyle Schwarber, whom we already recognize as one of baseball's most dangerous hitters. As in that inning, this happened. Ross doubles twice in the same inning. 10-0. (Another sentence I never thought I would write.) — Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 30, 2016 Granted, it's spring training. All of the damage was done against Scott Oberg, a fringe major-league reliever who shouldn't have a major role even with the Rockies. But it's damage, and damage figures to be the Cubs' M.O. If Jon Lester joins that parade with any regularity, there's very little hope for the rest of us. More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports: - - - - - - - Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813

Jon Lester struck out 10 in five innings and hit a two-run home run to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 10-0 win over a Colorado Rockies split squad on Wednesday. Rockies starter David Hale went 2 2/3 innings. ''I thought he threw the ball well,'' Colorado manager Walt Weiss said.

Ryan Zimmerman, Jayson Werth and Stephen Drew homered as the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 12-1 on Wednesday in the final spring training game for both teams. Zimmerman hit a three-run blast in the top of the first inning off Mets starter Matt Harvey while Werth and Drew each hit two-run homers. ''Today, I thought he threw the ball all right,'' Mets manager Terry Collins said.

Editor's Note: With the arrival of baseball season we're previewing each MLB team, from worst to best. We'll look at their key offseason moves, projected lineup, best and worst possible outcomes plus examine the team's fantasy implications with the help of friends from Roto Arcade . Our daily series continues with No. 1: the Chicago Cubs. There is only one question that matters for the Chicago Cubs. And this season, it's the biggest question in all of baseball. Is this the year? After 108 years, is this the year?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Colorado Rockies reliever Jason Motte has a shoulder strain that manager Walt Weiss says makes it ''very possible'' he'll miss next week's season-opening series against Arizona.

Baseball saw a huge influx of young talent last season. Kris Bryant helped lead the Chicago Cubs to the playoffs, Miguel Sano kept the surprising Minnesota Twins in the postseason race and Maikel Franco gave casual fans a reason to watch the Philadelphia Phillies. [ Sign up for Fantasy Baseball | Play for $40K | Expert rankings | Mock draft ] That just scratches the surface. Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor emerged as possible future MVP candidates, Noah Syndergaard showed off his blazing fastball and Matt Duffy shocked everyone after never appearing on a prospect list. Prior to the start of the season, those players were merely young and promising. After breaking out, they are viewed as legitimate MLB superstars. Which players will take that leap and join that group this season? We're glad you asked. Below are 10 players who have a strong chance to breakout in 2016. By next season, we'll be talking about some of these guys the way we refer to Bryant, Syndergaard and Correa now. But first, a quick aside: Making a list of breakout players isn't a new concept, but the method used to compile this list borrows greatly from Keith Law's annual breakout players article . We're looking for young, promising players with the opportunity for playing time. With that settled, let's get to it!

Byung Ho Park sat at his locker in the Minnesota Twins' spring training clubhouse, sipping a cup of iced coffee, oiling a first baseman's glove and interacting with teammates. The Twins hired a full-time translator to help the two-time Korean Baseball Organization MVP deal with a language barrier that Park is diligently working to overcome. The 29-year-old's English is far from perfect - but he is making strides communicating with teammates, coaches and manager Paul Molitor and felt comfortable enough to conduct his first interview in English without translator J.D. Kim.

MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs released outfielder Shane Victorino before re-signing him to a minor league deal Tuesday and said they will put utilityman Javier Baez on the 15-day disabled list.

Byung Ho Park sat at his locker in the Minnesota Twins' spring training clubhouse, sipping a cup of iced coffee, oiling a first baseman's glove and interacting with teammates. The Twins hired a full-time translator to help the two-time Korean Baseball Organization MVP deal with a language barrier that Park is diligently working to overcome. The 29-year-old's English is far from perfect - but he is making strides communicating with teammates, coaches and manager Paul Molitor and felt comfortable enough to conduct his first interview in English without translator J.D. Kim.

Byung Ho Park sat at his locker in the Minnesota Twins' spring training clubhouse, sipping a cup of iced coffee, oiling a first baseman's glove and interacting with teammates. The Twins hired a full-time translator to help the two-time Korean Baseball Organization MVP deal with a language barrier that Park is diligently working to overcome. The 29-year-old's English is far from perfect - but he is making strides communicating with teammates, coaches and manager Paul Molitor and felt comfortable enough to conduct his first interview in English without translator J.D. Kim.

New York Mets at Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer and company celebrate Kansas City's 2015 championship one more time before kicking off their title defense against the same team they defeated in the World Series last year. The Mets re-signed slugger Yoenis Cespedes after a few anxious moments over the winter, and Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom lead one of the majors' best rotations. The Royals also return mostly intact, with All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon opting to remain in Kansas City for a $72 million, four-year deal and Ian Kennedy replacing Johnny Cueto in the rotation.

Jake Arrieta prepared for his start on opening day, overcoming a 28-pitch first inning Tuesday as the Chicago Cubs beat the Oakland Athletics 9-5. Arrieta went five innings, allowing one run and two hits. ''I got to throw all my stuff,'' Arrieta said.

Trevor Bauer tossed six shutout innings and Jose Ramirez drove in a run as a Cleveland Indians split squad and the Los Angeles Angels played to a 1-1, nine-inning tie Tuesday. Bauer gave up seven hits and struck out seven. Angels starter Garrett Richards pitched a two-hitter over five innings, allowing a run, walking one and striking out four.

New York Mets right-hander Matt Harvey has been suffering from a blood clot that was a result of a bladder infection. Now it appears the 27-year-old will take the mound on Sunday night in a rematch of last season's World Series combatants when the Mets face the Kansas City Royals to open the season. "It started with a bladder infection and it created a blood clot in the bladder," Harvey told reporters after having a minor procedure Tuesday morning to make sure "everything was clear." Harvey blamed the infection on not using the bathroom often enough.

Former pitcher Mark Prior ran into Dusty Baker in San Diego last year at a scouting event his old manager's son was participating in. Baker was out of baseball after being fired by the Cincinnati Reds, but baseball wasn't out of him. ''He wants to try to win a World Series.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Chicago White Sox pitcher Kameron Loe has received an 80-game suspension for a positive test under baseball's minor league drug program.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Fifth starter front-runner CC Sabathia allowed two runs and three hits over four innings as a New York Yankees split squad beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 Tuesday in a game shortened to five innings because of rain.

Ace Zack Greinke pulled the biggest winter surprise, leaving the Dodgers to sign with Arizona. The Diamondbacks then quickly doubled down on a new rotation, trading for All-Star Shelby Miller. Hoping to end a World Series drought that dates to 1908, the Cubs loaded up with Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist.