Cubs News from Cubs.com

Boosted by a 97-win season and a trip to the National League Championship Series last year, followed by a $272 million offseason spending spree that netted free agents Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist, the Cubs are the preseason favorites to win it all. When was the last time you heard that in Wrigleyville and believed it?

Cubs pitcher Jon Lester struck out 10 in five innings and hit his first professional home run in a victory Wednesday over the Rockies.

Known for his pitching, Cubs' pitcher Jon Lester showed off his power on Wednesday, slugging his first home run.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon prefers to keep his in-game information on a card in his pocket, but is curious to see how the use of the iPad will impact the game.

Cubs' infielder Javier Baez doesn't think his sprained left thumb will keep him on the disabled list long.

He doesn't look as if he's gained any weight, but Carl Edwards Jr. definitely was a different player this spring, and he could be a factor this season for the Cubs.

Jake Arrieta tuned up for Opening Day by throwing five innings and Kyle Schwarber hit one of the Cubs' five homers in a 9-5 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday in front of a sellout crowd of 15,469 at Sloan Park.

The greatest at-bat in the history of Spring Training?

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo tuned up for the regular season with a brief piano recital before Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon met with Neil Ramirez, Matt Szczur and Tommy La Stella on Tuesday to tell them that they made the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs released outfielder Shane Victorino, infielder Munenori Kawasaki and left-handed reliever Manny Parra on Tuesday. However, a team official said the Cubs were actively trying to re-sign all three.

The Cubs felt good about the physical talent on the roster, such as youngsters like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber. But something was missing. That's where John Lackey comes in.

Mike Trout and Albert Pujols hit back-to-back home runs, Jason Heyward smoked a ball about 460 feet and the Cubs and Angels settled for an 8-8 tie on Monday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Javier Baez, who has not played a game since March 20 because of a sprained left thumb, played catch on Monday and his uncertainty for the start of the regular season is leaving the Cubs with a possible 11th-hour decision regarding the 25-man roster.

Add "matchmaker" to the long list of Bryant's skills.

Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler said he left Sunday's game as a precaution because of tightness on his left side, and it had nothing to do with the bees that invaded Sloan Park.

This is the story of how Joe Maddon vanquished the forces of superstition and despair and made possible a new era of hope for the Cubs. It is the story of ignoring the goat and embracing optimism. Maybe it is also the story of the Cubs breaking a 108-year championship drought. But we don't know that yet.

Joe Maddon learned last season that Addison Russell was a solid defender, a good kid and the "shortstop of the future," but the Cubs manager wasn't prepared for the power. Russell didn't waste any time this spring flexing his muscles.

Robinson Cano hit a pair of home runs, driving in five runs, and Seth Smith delivered a tiebreaking two-run double to power the Mariners to a 12-9 victory over the Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 15,438 at Sloan Park on Sunday.

The Cubs have announced their rotation, but they have not finalized the rest of the roster because they're waiting to see how Javier Baez feels after missing one week of games with a sore left thumb.