Ryno makes special reappearance
MESA, Ariz.— Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, recently hired as a Cubs ambassador, visited camp last month as a civilian but returned in uniform-Monday as a special assistant to the field staff.
When hired in January, Sandberg said he didn’t expect to do the instructor gig in spring training but changed his mind after being invited.
“It’s going to be a blast to have him around,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We’ll definitely rely on what he has to say.”
Sandberg, who’s moving back to the Chicago area from Arizona, is not working on a formal schedule or timeline in camp or with any specific duties— beyond hanging out with former Cubs teammate Rick Sutcliffe.
“I’d love for him to just be talking with the middle infielders primarily,” Maddon said. “If he wants to talk to the hitters, I’m in on that, too.”
Broken record ‘ cool to see’
Royals right- hander Kris Medlen, who pitched two scoreless innings in a start against the Cubs, said he enjoyed Jake Arrieta’s successful assault last year on his record for second- half ERA.
“He was unbelievable, and it was really cool to see,” Medlen said. “Anytime anyone is doing that kind of stuff, you are paying attention. I’m sure it helped in arbitration.”
Medlen, then pitching for the Braves, went 9- 0 with an ERA of 0.94 after the All- Star break in 2012. Arrieta went 12- 1 with an ERA of 0.75.
‘‘ It’s great to see where he’s at after trying to find himself in Baltimore [ before the 2013 trade to the Cubs],” Medlen said. “He’s helping to turn the Cubs around.”
Brothers’ grim command
Maddon downplayed the control issues of left- hander Rex Brothers, considered one of the top candidates for the eighth bullpen spot if the Cubs decide to carry the extra reliever.
“I know that was part of his issue last year, also,” Maddon said.
Brothers’ walk rates have never been spectacular, but they worsened significantly last year ( 44 in 42„ innings at Class AAA, eight in 10„ innings for the Rockies).
Brothers threw four wild pitches in his inning Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
“He’s got great stuff,” Maddon said. “I don’t know if the gun was right, but he hit 97 [ mph] one time, with a bunch of 93s. And his slider, when he commands it, is an outstanding major- league out pitch.
“It’s early. You’ve got to be patient with these kinds of things, and I’m sure he’ll regroup.”
This and that
Outfielder Matt Szczur ( oblique) took a second day of swings froma tee and said he’s improving.
“It’s just a slow progression,” said Szczur, who has been sidelined more than two weeks.
Hitting coach John Mallee was hit on the arm by a lined foul ball in the first inning while sitting on the warning track with other coaches. He had the arm iced but did not appear to be seriously hurt.
Miguel Montero, who started his spring 5- for- 5, grounded out in his first at- bat against the Rockies.