The schedule this season has been very odd for nearly every team, but the Cubs face an extra challenge because they play so many day games.
They didn’t arrive in Chicago from Los Angeles until about 12:30 a.m. Monday, then arrived by 10 a.m. at Wrigley Field for the 5-3 Memorial Day loss to Florida.
“It’s not the easiest thing in the world coming in like we did and the opposing team being in here earlier, but it’s part of what you’ve got to do,” manager Lou Piniella said. “You just play.”
Piniella and infielder Mark DeRosa are new this year to Wrigley Field, where day games are just part of the normal schedule after a trip of mostly night games.
“I know I haven’t got used to day games,” DeRosa said. “In talking to guys before coming over here, they said it took two or three months before you get used to it.
“It’s a matter of finding a routine. It makes it difficult when start times are changing, but that’s no excuse. Once the game starts, that goes out the window. It’s Memorial Day and we have a chance to go out in front of these fans and they expect you to perform.”
Looking ahead
General manager Jim Hendry reiterated Monday he could add payroll before the July 31 trading deadline.
“We just need to do our part and stay in the race and get back higher in the standings, and if I need to get something done, there will be no problem doing it,” he said.
End is near
With Wade Miller’s minor-league rehab at an end, it appears his days with the Cubs could be numbered. Hendry said he would talk to Miller in the next day or two “to decide the best course for him.”
Hendry said he would try to help Miller find a job somewhere else, although with his velocity barely topping 80 m.p.h., that might be tough.
If Miller can’t find another job, he could have the option of staying with the Cubs and trying a comeback in the minors.
Cotts update
In his first start for Triple-A Iowa since his demotion, Neal Cotts threw four scoreless innings Monday against Oklahoma, allowing one hit and two walks. The lefty is being converted from a reliever.
