The Cubs’ bullpen was thin even before closer Tom Gordon tore a muscle near his right shoulder. Now it has the depth of a kiddie pool.
With Kyle Farnsworth poised to become the closer, the Cubs will lose their top right-handed setup man.
“We’re not experienced [in the bullpen], and that’s a problem,” manager Don Baylor said. “Not too many guys have the stuff that Farnsworth has . . . he’s not here.”
He might be pitching in another team’s camp, though, so the Cubs continue to scout the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues in search of a veteran reliever. Texas is among the teams with an overflow in the bullpen.
“If we get a guy, fine, we’re that much better,” pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. “If we don’t, we’re still OK. I think 80 percent of the teams in baseball are out there looking, so who knows?”
The Cubs will look to Rothschild, the former Tampa Bay manager, for his knowledge of American League pitchers.
“We’re not going to hurt the organization in the long run to satisfy an emergency need now,” he said. “It has to be a deal that works both ways.”
Beyond Farnsworth and Jeff Fassero, the Cubs’ bullpen figures to include Scott Chiasson, Donovan Osborne and Jesus Sanchez. Courtney Duncan would be favored to beat out lefty Mark Watson for the final spot. Chiasson will try to make the leap to setup man after excelling in the minors last season as a closer. He also posted a 2.70 earned-run average in six late-season appearances for the Cubs.
“When the games have been close, he’s actually pitched better,” Rothschild said. “He has good velocity and some deception.”
The 24-year-old right-hander figured his role would change after Gordon went down.
“Before that I was just trying to get a spot on the team,” Chiasson said. “Now I look at it a little differently.”
Tough day: Kerry Wood gave up six runs to Milwaukee on Monday, but it could have been worse. With two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning, Wood froze former teammate Matt Stairs on a 3-2 cut fastball on the outside corner.
“[The pitch] wasn’t where I wanted it, but I’ll take it,” Wood said. “It was still a strike.”
Brewers manager Davey Lopes apparently didn’t think so. He was ejected after arguing with home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo.
Wood attributed his rough outing to falling behind consistently in the count.
Prior decision: Baylor appears to have ended his quest to have Mark Prior break camp as the Cubs’ fifth starter. The 21-year-old right-hander will start Tuesday against Milwaukee but is ticketed to begin the season at Double-A West Tenn.
“Staff-wise everybody would love for him to be here,” Baylor said. “But we also know that [minor-league] experience is probably required.”
Baylor also indicated infielder Bobby Hill was likely to start the season in the minors.
Roster moves: Lefty reliever Ron Mahay, who had a team-high 23.63 ERA, cleared waivers and was released outright to Triple-A Iowa. Mahay is off the 40-man roster, giving the Cubs flexibility if they trade for a reliever.
Third baseman David Kelton, who hit .300 with two homers and eight RBIs in 20 at-bats, was optioned to West Tenn. Outfielder Kimera Bartee was returned to minor-league camp.
SPRING REPORT
Cubs recap
SCORE: Brewers 8, Cubs 2.
SPRING RECORD: 7-14.
AT THE PLATE: Third baseman Mark Bellhorn went 3-for-3 to boost his average to .455. Bobby Hill went 1-for-2 with a triple.
ON THE MOUND: Kerry Wood struggled, giving up six runs on seven hits over three innings. Donovan Osborne threw two scoreless frames.
IN THE FIELD: Making his spring debut at first base, Robert Machado made a nice play on Geoff Jenkins’ two-hopper.
BATTLE IN CENTER FIELD: Corey Patterson went 2-for-5 with a sharply hit RBI single. Roosevelt Brown (sore hand) should return Tuesday.
NEXT UP: Vs. Brewers at 2:05 p.m. Tuesday in Maryvale. Mark Prior takes on former Cub Ruben Quevedo.
