Des Moines Register Staff Blogs » Iowa Cubs

Video: Cedar Rapids native Ryan Sweeney on being with the Cubs

Tommy Birch — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:26:50 +0000

Taped on a door inside the Iowa Cubs locker room is the nameplate of each player who has come and gone this season. In the middle of the bunch is the name of Cedar Rapids native Ryan Sweeney. The left-handed hitting outfielder has made the most out of his time in Chicago since leaving Iowa. [...]

Cuban national team coming to Des Moines

Tommy Birch — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:45:09 +0000

The last time Team USA came to Principal Park, future big-league stars Ryan Howard, Mark Prior and Mark Teixeira took the field. This time could be filled with even more promise. The Iowa Cubs will host the first game of a summer international friendship series between Team USA and the Cuban national team on July18 [...]

More and more changes to the Iowa Cubs roster

Tommy Birch — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:30:49 +0000

Shortly after coming off the disabled, Edwin Maysonet is heading back on it. The Iowa Cubs infielder was placed on the disabled list after aggravating his right hamstring strain again. To take his place, infielder/outfielder Tim Torres has been called up from double-A Tennessee. The injury, the second for Maysonet this season, landed him on [...]

Iowa starter recalled by the Chicago Cubs

Tommy Birch — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:12:27 +0000

Oklahoma City one day. Chicago another. The Chicago Cubs recalled left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley from the triple-A Iowa Cubs on Wednesday after placing right-handed pitcher Zach Putnam on the disabled list with right elbow soreness. Raley, who was with Iowa in Oklahoma City, is wearing uniform number 43 and is already available for today’s game [...]

UPDATE: Ian Stewart suspended following overnight Twitter rant

Tommy Birch — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:46:57 +0000

Ian Stewart took to Twitter late Monday night and early Tuesday, voicing his displeasure to anyone willing to listen. The Chicago Cubs have heard him loud and clear. Club president of baseball operations Theo Epstein told reporters in Chicago on Tuesday that Stewart, an infielder for the Iowa Cubs, has been suspended without pay following an overnight rant. The duration [...]

Chicago Cubs prospect eyes return to the lineup

Tommy Birch — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 17:03:02 +0000

Josh Vitters is getting closer to returning to the field. The Iowa Cubs infielder has left the team for extended spring training in Mesa, Ariz., to prepare for his return from the disabled list. Vitters placed on the disabled list on May 26 with a strained muscle in his rib cage. “I can’t wait to [...]

Video: Former I-Cub Matt Murton’s memorable home run in Japan

Tommy Birch — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 02:05:25 +0000

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from former Iowa and Chicago Cubs player Matt Murton. But check out what he’s up to in this little gem of a video. It’s Murton launching a walk-off home run for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan earlier this week. A high five to former Iowa Cubs media master Jeff Lantz for the [...]

Former Texas A&M pitchers ready to pitch

Tommy Birch — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 16:09:40 +0000

Rigth-hander pitcher Barret Loux has been activated from the disabled list and will pitch game two of the Iowa Cubs’ doubleheader with the Round Rock Express, today. Loux has been on the disabled list since May 28 with a sprained right ankle. It was his second trip to the disabled list. Loux was also out [...]

Yoanner Negrin inactive and other news and notes

Tommy Birch — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:06:39 +0000

The Iowa Cubs will be without one of their most reliable pitches for a few days. Right-hander Yoanner Negrin was placed on the paternity list to join his wife for the birth of his child. Negrin is 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 16 games, including two starts with Iowa this season. He’s expected to [...]

Cubs prospect ready to make his Triple-A debut

Tommy Birch — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 22:40:03 +0000

The wait is over. Chicago Cubs prospect Junior Lake will make his Triple-A debut tonight during the Iowa Cubs’ 7:05 p.m., game against the Round Rock Express at Principal Park. Lake, ranked the ninth-best prospect in the Cubs’ organization by MiLB.com and 15h by Baseball America entering the season, will hit sixth and play third [...]

Prospect expected to join Iowa Cubs on Thursday

Tommy Birch — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:48:59 +0000

The moment many Iowa Cubs fans have been waiting for has arrived. Iowa manager Marty Pevey said Tuesday that Junior Lake, a prized prospect of the Chicago Cubs, is expected to be in Des Moines on Thursday to make his Triple-A debut. Lake, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound infielder and outfielder from the Dominican Republic, has been [...]

Another Chicago Cubs player expected to rehab with Iowa Cubs

Tommy Birch — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:45:35 +0000

More help is on the way to Des Moines. Chicago Cubs catcher Steve Clevenger is expected to join the Iowa Cubs on Monday to begin a rehabilitation assignment. The 27-year-old has been on the disabled list with a left oblique strain he suffered while swinging at a pitch. He’s reportedly been playing games in Mesa, [...]

One of Iowa’s most successful relievers returns to Chicago

Tommy Birch — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 22:26:57 +0000

One of the greatest relievers in Iowa Cubs history is headed to Chicago. Blake Parker, Iowa’s all-time leader in saves, was called up to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Parker, 27, was 0-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 16 appearances with Iowa this season. He entered the season in a three-way tie with Michael Wuertz [...]

Iowa Cubs add a pair of experienced relievers

Tommy Birch — Thu, 30 May 2013 18:18:07 +0000

The Iowa Cubs lost a reliever to the major leagues but picked up a pair of relievers with plenty of big league experience. Iowa reliever Zach Putnam was promoted to Chicago on Thursday. To make room for him, another reliever, Alex Burnett, was optioned to Iowa. Also, reliever Michael Bowden has cleared waivers and accepted his assignment [...]

Star heads to the disabled list, reliever comes back to Iowa

Tommy Birch — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:18:11 +0000

Josh Vitters’ season has hit another roadblock. The Iowa Cubs infielder was placed on the disabled list today, retroactive to May 26, with a strained muscle in his rib cage. It’s the second trip to the disabled list and fourth injury for the 23-year-old prospect. Vitters was also on the disabled list from April 9-30 [...]

Which Iowa Cubs player could be headed to Chicago?

Tommy Birch — Mon, 27 May 2013 15:34:08 +0000

With Chicago Cubs reliever Kyuji Fujikawa likely headed to the disabled list, a roster spot should be opening up in the Windy City. It appears as though it will be filled by Iowa Cubs reliever Eduardo Sanchez. Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey said Sanchez was not with the the team for Monday’s 1:05 p.m., game [...]

Another injury keeps Josh Vitters out of the lineup

Tommy Birch — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:23:21 +0000

The injury bug has bitten Josh Vitters, again. Vitters, who has nursed three different injuries since Spring Training, was scratched from Saturday’s lineup for the Iowa Cubs with a sore right rib cage. “It seems like if it’s not one thing, it’s something else for me right now,” Vitters said. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound infielder has [...]

An update on Donnie Murphy’s injury

Tommy Birch — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:42:31 +0000

Marty Pevey expected the worst. When the Iowa Cubs manager watched infielder Donnie Murphy slump to the ground in pain, thoughts of a broken bone immediately flashed in his head. It looks like Murphy will be just fine. Murphy, who was hit by a pitch on his right wrist during the eighth inning of Thursday’s [...]

Iowa Cubs pitching in to help tornado victims

Tommy Birch — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:03:52 +0000

The Iowa Cubs are pitching in to help victims of the Oklahoma City tornado. Members of the team’s front office along with a group of players’ wives and girlfriends are working together to put on a memorabilia auction on Friday during the Iowa Cubs’ game against the Oklahoma City RedHawks. All proceeds will go towards [...]

Video: Donnie Murphy’s walk-off single lifts Iowa Cubs to victory

Alex Halsted — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:52:16 +0000

Donnie Murphy delivered a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Iowa Cubs beat the Las Vegas 51s 2-1 in game one of a doubleheader at Principal Park this afternoon. Trailing 1-0 in the seventh inning, Brian Bogusevic tied the score 1-1 with a lead-off home run.

One scoring change and a whole lot of tacos

Tommy Birch — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:32:35 +0000

Dinner is on Marty Pevey tonight. Wait, what? If you were one the of the 4,758 fans at Sunday’s Iowa Cubs game, you can thank Pevey on your way through the Taco Bell drive through. You see, a scoring change following Iowa’s 7-3 victory over the Tucson Padres awarded Cubs outfielder Dave Sappelt his second [...]

Have we seen the last of Matt Garza?

Tommy Birch — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:30 +0000

Matt Garza got what he wanted. The Chicago Cubs starter will not be returning to the Iowa Cubs for another rehab start. Reports out of Chicago say that Garza will return to the Cubs rotation on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. “I’m excited and just happy that I don’t have to rehab again,” Garza told MLB.com. Garza, [...]

Iowa Cubs broadcaster remembers mentor Fred White

Tommy Birch — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:48:42 +0000

For Randy Wehofer, the silence said it all. From his computer, the Iowa Cubs broadcaster watched baseball in silence as former Royals radio voice Fred White was honored with a half-inning of silence during Wednesday’s game against the Angels. White, who spent 25 years in the booth as the voice of the Royals, died Wednesday [...]

Matt Garza treats fans and players and other news and notes

Tommy Birch — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:16:36 +0000

Fans got a good game. Players got two good meals. Everyone was treated to something good by Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza on Thursday. Baseball clubhouse tradition says that major league players on a rehabilitation assignment should purchase the post-game spread. Garza didn’t disappoint. The Cubs right-hander, on a rehab assignment, went the extra mile [...]

Why you could see more of Matt Garza this time around

Tommy Birch — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:32:02 +0000

Fans were able to get a brief glimpse of Matt Garza during his first trip to Des Moines. They should be seeing more of the Chicago Cubs pitcher in his second visit. Garza, a hard-throwing pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, is slated to start for Iowa during Thursday’s 6:35 p.m., game against the Tuscon Padres. The [...]

Chicago Cubs starter reportedly coming back to Des Moines

Tommy Birch — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:46:44 +0000

Warm up the radar gun. Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza is reportedly coming back to Principal Park. Multiple reports out of Chicago say that the hard-throwing pitcher will make his fourth rehabilitation start with the Iowa Cubs this week. Iowa Cubs officials have not confirmed the news, though. Garza, who tossed 3.1 scoreless innings for [...]

Chicago Cubs prospect returns to Iowa Cubs lineup

Tommy Birch — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:37:47 +0000

The Iowa Cubs are going to get a big boost to their lineup. The Cubs activated outfielder Brett Jackson from the disabled list and placed infielder Edwin Maysonet on the DL with a sprained right ankle. Jackson, who went on the disabled list with turf toe on his right foot, had been limited to designated [...]

Is Matt Garza coming back to Des Moines?

Tommy Birch — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:11:39 +0000

Miss Matt Garza’s outing at Principal Park this week? You may get a second chance. The hard-throwing right-hander could make another rehab appearance with the Iowa Cubs later this month. Garza, who is working his way back to Chicago after suffering a left lat strain in Spring Training, tossed 3 1/3 innings for Iowa on [...]

Who is coming and going for the Iowa Cubs

Tommy Birch — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:24:24 +0000

The Iowa Cubs lost one big-league arm but have added another one. Chicago Cubs reliever Kyuji Fujikawa has left the team after throwing one shutout inning during his first rehab stint on Sunday. Read about the outing here. Iowa Cubs manager Marty Pevey said Fujikawa would join Tennessee, the Cubs’ double-A affiliate. “He didn’t want to [...]

Kyuji Fujikawa returns to the mound

Tommy Birch — Sun, 05 May 2013 21:34:32 +0000

Kyuji Fujikawa’a return to the mound was a success. The Chicago Cubs reliever threw one scoreless inning in relief as the Iowa Cubs beat the Oklahoma City RedHawks 5-2 in game one of a doubleheader at Principal Park on Sunday afternoon. Fujikawa, on a rehabilitation assignment from Chicago, issued one walk and struck out two [...]

Where, oh where is Ian Stewart?

Tommy Birch — Sat, 04 May 2013 22:30:17 +0000

Ian Stewart has 72 hours to get where he already is. A day after being optioned to triple-A, the third baseman was missing from the Iowa Cubs clubhouse and lineup on Saturday night. Stewart, who was activated from Chicago’s disabled list and sent down to Iowa on Friday, has 72 hours to report to Des [...]

Brett Jackson could miss more time

Tommy Birch — Fri, 03 May 2013 21:22:24 +0000

A toe injury has kept Brett Jackson off the outfield grass and could land him on the disabled list. The Iowa Cubs outfielder, who has been battling a jammed toe, was scheduled to have an injection on it Friday, manager Marty Pevey said. Pevey said it could also land the Cubs prospect on the disabled list. [...]

Mother Nature strikes again

Tommy Birch — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:41:22 +0000

Mother Nature strikes again. Friday’s Iowa Cubs game against the Oklahoma City RedHawks has been postponed due to snow. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday. The first game will start at 1:05 p.m., and each game will be scheduled for seven innings. It’s the second-straight day that the Iowa [...]

Big name rehab assignment stopping in Des Moines?

Tommy Birch — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:27:21 +0000

Matt Garza’s road to recovery could include a stop in Des Moines. Garza, who has been out all season with a lateral strain, made his first rehab start for the Cubs’ double-A affiliate, the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday. According to ESPN Chicago’s Bruce Levine, Garza’s next stop could be with the Iowa Cubs. “I think [...]

Wells retirement reaction and other news and notes

Tommy Birch — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:16:29 +0000

A day deciding to walk away from baseball, news of Randy Wells’ retirement still stunned those who know him. Wells, 30, a former Cubs pitcher who was a member of the Round Rock Express, abruptly announced on Tuesday that he was retiring. “I didn’t foresee it coming,” said Round Rock reliever Neal Cotts who was [...]

Thursday’s Iowa Cubs game postponed

Tommy Birch — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:56:01 +0000

The Iowa Cubs are taking no chances. The team has already decided to postpone Thursday’s 12:05 p.m., game at Principal Park with the Round Rock Express. No makeup date has been announced. Mother Nature already put a damper on the team’s plans for the week with inclement weather forcing the Cubs to cancel Friday’s fireworks [...]

Prospect on his way back to Des Moines

Tommy Birch — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:31:13 +0000

Infielder Josh Vitters has been activated from the disabled list and could be ready to play as soon as today. Vitters, a 24-year-old third baseman, spent the weekend at the Cubs’ complex in Mesa, Arizona, playing in extended spring training games on a rehab assignment. He is not listed in today’s lineup but could possibly [...]

More moves and a setback for Garza

Tommy Birch — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:57:19 +0000

Some more help has come for the Iowa Cubs. Infielder Alberto Gonzalez, who was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs on April 19, has joined Iowa. To make room for him, outfielder Ty Wright was sent to double-A Tennessee. Gonzalez made Chicago’s Opening Day roster and appeared in 11 games, hitting .217 (5-for-23) with a [...]

News on Ian Stewart, Josh Vitters, Brett Jackson, and Matt Garza

Tommy Birch — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:47:56 +0000

Ian Stewart finally found himself in a lineup for the first time in nearly a year. The Chicago Cubs third baseman is still looking for his first hit, though. Stewart, on a rehabilitation assignment with the Iowa Cubs, went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts during a 5-0 win over the Nashville Sounds on Friday. [...]

Iowa Cubs game postponed…again

Tommy Birch — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:05:43 +0000

Mother Nature has struck again. The Iowa Cubs have been rained out for the second-straight night. Thursday’s 7:05 p.m., matchup between the Iowa Cubs and Nashville Sounds has been postponed. A makeup date will be determined. The two teams were rained out on Wednesday, the second game of a four-game series. That will be made [...]

Wednesday’s Iowa Cubs game postponed

Tommy Birch — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:26:56 +0000

Wednesday’s game between the Iowa Cubs and the Nashville Sounds has been postponed by rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on June 19 with the first game starting at 5 p.m. The doubleheader will consist of two seven-inning games. The two teams will resume their series on Thursday at [...]

Veteran closer coming to Des Moines?

Tommy Birch — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:49:31 +0000

Kevin Gregg’s solid spring wasn’t enough to keep him with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But it was enough to catch the attention of at least one other club. The Chicago Cubs have reportedly signed Gregg to a minor league deal this weekend. Gregg, a 10-year veteran, has bounced around the majors in stints with the [...]

Chicago Cub coming to Des Moines; prospect likely sitting

Tommy Birch — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:53:44 +0000

The Iowa Cubs will roll into Des Moines for the first time this week and they’ll have a special guest with them. Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney is expected to join the Iowa Cubs over the weekend. Multiple reports say that Barney will rehab in Des Moines Saturday through Monday. Barney suffered a deep [...]

Blake Parker makes Iowa Cubs history

Tommy Birch — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:36:17 +0000

When Blake Parker’s work was finally done on the field on Wednesday night, the right-hander had one more task left to do: Grab the baseball. The Iowa Cubs pitcher set a franchise record for saves during a 3-2 win against the Round Rock Express. The save, the 35th of Parker’s Iowa career, moved him ahead of the old mark of 34, [...]

Which Chicago Cub could be headed to Des Moines?

Tommy Birch — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:53:19 +0000

The Iowa Cubs could soon be getting some much-needed help. Multiple media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan, reported that Chicago Cubs infielder Darwin Barney is expected to begin a three-game minor-league rehab stint on Saturday at a site to be announced. Could it be Des Moines? The Iowa Cubs’ home opener at Principal [...]

Video: A behind the scenes look at Principal Park’s renovated clubhouses

Tommy Birch — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 20:06:57 +0000

Before taking the field for the first time at Principal Park this season, the Iowa Cubs have been busy working off the field. The club spent the off-season renovating the home and away clubhouses at Principal Park. Get a behind the scenes look at the finished project by watching the video below.

Another Iowan to start the season with the I-Cubs

Tommy Birch — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:21:21 +0000

Cedar Rapids native Ryan Sweeney didn’t have to look far to find his new team. The 28-year-old outfielder said Tuesday that he has signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs. Sweeney will start the season, just several hours away from his hometown, with the Iowa Cubs. He’ll join another Iowan, Algona native and infielder Brad Nelson, on the [...]

Who is coming back to the Iowa Cubs?

Tommy Birch — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:01:49 +0000

A new season will start for the Iowa Cubs will plenty of old faces. The Iowa Cubs announced its 2013 Opening Day roster and it’s filled with familiar names. This sesason’s roster features 12 players who have played for Iowa before including outfielder Brett Jackson who smacked 25 home runs and stole 33 bases last season. [...]

All-Star won’t be coming to Des Moines

Tommy Birch — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:34:20 +0000

It looks like the “D-Train” will not be rolling through Des Moines. The Chicago Cubs released left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis over the weekend. Willis, the 2003 National League Rookie of the Year, signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January. A two-time All-Star nicknamed the “D-Train,” Willis was trying to work his way back [...]

New I-Cubs skipper Marty Pevey talks Jackson, Vitters, and more

Tommy Birch — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:36:28 +0000

Marty Pevey watched as Cubs prospects Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters struggled in their short stints in Chicago. Pevey said the struggles could lead to success. “Sometimes it’s better to let them go up and scuffle early on in their career,” said Pevey who was introduced at Principal Park on Monday. “They’re going to have [...]