The closer of the future is now the closer of the present. Or at least one of them.
Kyle Farnsworth, who is slated to share the closer duties with 39-year-old Jeff Fassero, excelled as a set-up man last season. But he knows pitching the ninth inning is not the same as pitching in the eighth.
“It’s totally different,” he said. “Those last three outs of the game are the hardest because the hitters are trying to do different things.”
Like what?
“That’s what I have to figure out,” he replied.
Farnsworth, who has hit 102 m.p.h. on some radar guns, saved two games in three chances last year after Tom Gordon was sidelined with elbow tendinitis. Farnsworth will get more chances this season with Gordon out indefinitely.
Cubs manager Don Baylor said he might alternate Farnsworth and Fassero, depending on matchups and rest. Farnsworth was unavailable for a handful of games last season because of elbow soreness.
“We’ll try to keep both of those guys strong this year,” Baylor said.
Farnsworth’s mental health also has been an issue in the past. Farnsworth, who turns 26 in April, sometimes would sob after tough losses early in his career.
He went 1-for-6 in save chances in 2000 before rebounding a year ago. He posted a 2.74 ERA in 76 appearances, struck out 107 batters in 82 innings and held opponents to a .213 batting average.
Baylor and pitching coach Larry Rothschild insist Farnsworth doesn’t need to change anything to excel as a closer.
“His control is there,” Baylor said. “We’ll give him some help. There were times last year we rode him a lot. Now he has more time to prepare.”
Said Rothschild: “I think what happens with ninth-inning guys is that when it becomes their role, they get very comfortable. When you’re only in there once in a while, even if you’re a veteran, it becomes different and the magnitude of it grows in leaps and bounds.”
Sidehill: Bobby Hill was hesitant to go to the trainer’s room after injuring his ribs on a diving stop Tuesday. He knew that any missed time would cost him in his battle to win the starting job at second base.
“I said I needed some ice and now I’m sitting for a day or two,” he said.
With Hill on the shelf until at least Saturday, Delino DeShields has solidified his standing as the favorite. DeShields went 3-for-3 Thursday with two stolen bases, boosting his spring average to .417.
Coming soon: Moises Alou, who has been sidelined with a strained muscle in his left side, took batting practice Thursday and hopes to make his Cubs debut early next week.
“I’m tired of just hanging around the clubhouse,” he said. “I’ve seen my teammates; they should see me play too.”
SPRING REPORT
Cubs recap
SCORE: Mariners 5, Cubs 2.
SPRING RECORD: 2-6.
AT THE PLATE: Delino DeShields went 3-for-3. Infielder Mark Bellhorn had two hits.
ON THE MOUND: Jon Lieber threw three scoreless innings. Alan Benes struggled in his two innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
IN THE FIELD: Fred McGriff failed to snag a pop foul near first base.
NEW GUY: Kyle Farnsworth, who will contribute as a closer during Tom Gordon’s extended absence, gave up one run in the ninth.
NEXT UP: Split squad: vs. White Sox at 2 p.m. in Tucson and vs. Milwaukee at 8 p.m. in Mesa. Julian Tavarez will start against the Sox. Kerry Wood could face former teammates Eric Young and Matt Stairs, both of whom signed with the Brewers.
