Manny Alexander’s visa problem is serious enough that General Manager Ed Lynch couldn’t predict whether the Cubs infielder will be available for the start of the season.
Alexander, who lives near San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, and Pittsburgh’s Jose Guillen are the only two Dominicans absent from major-league camps.
“It is a significant visa problem,” Lynch said. “It’s under review by the U.S. Consulate. We don’t have all the information, but we’re continuing to monitor (it).”
Lynch declined to speculate on when Alexander would arrive, and said he could not reveal the nature of the problem. Lynch said he has spoken to Alexander’s agent, Mike Powers, who did not return phone calls Friday.
Alexander’s teammates are beginning to grow concerned.
“We need Manny,” Glenallen Hill said. “We need his attitude.”
Alexander hit only .227 last year but was second among NL pinch-hitters with a .360 average.
Fast Trachs: Believe it or not, Steve Trachsel is working on working faster on the mound this spring, after some goading from teammates and new catcher Benito Santiago.
“We’re taking a more determined approach to get it done this time,” Trachsel said.
Trachsel is coming off his most successful season working at his familiar, turtlelike pace. Why change?
“It should make me more successful,” he said. “Especially because of the infielders on the defensive side. I can see what the reaction is from them. But it’s only spring training. We’ll see what happens when I go more innings. Today I was conscious that I didn’t leave the dirt and that type of thing–not stepping off as much.”
Santiago guaranteed he won’t allow the slow-motion “Trach” to reappear.
“If he steps off the mound once, OK,” Santiago said. “If he does it again, I’ll go out there and get in his face.”
Cub files: Along with Kerry Wood on Friday, the Cubs signed Jeremi Gonzalez for $265,000, Sandy Martinez for $220,000 and Felix Heredia for $275,000. . . . An animated special and comic book about the life of Sammy Sosa is being produced in English, Spanish and Japanese. The TV special is expected to air in the United States sometime around October.
