Michael Conforto’s minor-league NRI deal with the Cubs isn’t official yet, but he participated in workouts today. Craig Counsell anticipates him getting into a Cactus League game Saturday or Sunday.

The Cubs getting acquainted with Automated Ball-Strike challenge system ahead of its debut in MLB this year. A look at the ABS’ key rules surrounding challenges, the data behind it and which pitches could benefit from the calibrated strike zone: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/20/c...

I'm pumped to have @mmontemurro.bsky.social as our first guest on the pod and I hope you'll follow along! I also promise to be more active here, and here's a clip from the episode: You can listen to the pod wherever you get your podcasts: linktr.ee/windycitybre...

A few photos from the Cubs spring training at Sloan Park Thursday in Mesa, Ariz.

The Cubs are hopeful Moisés Ballesteros (visa issues) will arrive to camp this weekend. They are expecting to get some clarity today on a specific date. Less certainty on a time frame for Christian Bethancourt’s visa situation to be resolved.

put it in the Louvre

Me watching the end of the USA-Canada gold medal game on my phone in the back of an uber:

MEGAN KELLER WITH A DIRTY DRAG MOVE AND A GOLD MEDAL WINNING GOAL 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins, in his first big-league camp, isn't looking too far ahead to achieving his MLB dream. He knows throwing more strikes is important to making that happen. "I’d love to see him force his way into that conversation.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/18/c...

After playing all last season with a sports hernia, a fully healthy Kevin Alcántara is ready to put that behind him and try to earn a spot on the Cubs' opening day roster: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/19/c...

MLBPA's Bruce Meyer on the issue of spending gaps between some MLB teams/markets:

Meyer: "A lockout is all but guaranteed at the end of the (CBA), the league has pretty much said that. Their strategy in bargaining has always been to put as much pressure on players as they can to try & create division & cracks in our membership. It's never worked. I don't think it ever will work."

MLBPA's Bruce Meyer spoke after meeting with Cubs players. On MLB/owners push for salary cap in CBA: "This is something they've always wanted. It's not new. ...Our union historically has been against it because we believe it's quite simply not good for players. That position is not going to change."

Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd will start the Cubs' first two Cactus League games on Friday (vs. White Sox) and Saturday (vs. Rangers).

The Toronto Blue Jays have claimed INF Ben Cowles off waivers from the Cubs. Cowles had been DFA’d to make room for Shelby Miller, who is expected to miss most if not all this year after Tommy John surgery in October.

A titan of civil rights remembered. An advanced look at tomorrow's front page, featuring the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Cubs and White Sox players still were processing MLBPA leader Tony Clark’s abrupt resignation, but unity was the theme in both clubhouses. “Player unity is the strength of our union, and that’s not changing with whoever is at the top.” Story by @mmontemurro.bsky.social and @lamondpope.bsky.social.

For live BP in the stadium, Cubs have the ABS set up. Bregman challenged this pitch from Rea:

Cubs’ Edward Cabrera threw live BP today for the first time this spring. He faced Hoerner, Busch and Bregman:

A few photos from the first day of the Cubs full-squad workout at spring training in Sloan Park Monday in Mesa, Ariz.

Among the topics Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts discussed today: Marquee & the regional sports network TV model, in which multiple MLB teams are in limbo. “Given all the market headwinds for RSNs, I think Marquee is one of the best things we ever did." More here: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/16/c...

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts after addressing the team today: "Obviously we want to win the division — we should win the division. ...You want to win the division for a lot of reasons not just because it's aggravating not to but you want to put yourself in the best position for the playoffs as well."

Jordan Wicks called 2025 season "extremely frustrating" in part from "a lot of miscommunication" early on about his role. He's eager to earn spot with Cubs, even offering to be 'pen arm. "I want to be in Chicago & whatever role that looks like I will conform." www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/15/c...

Five years after the Chicago Cubs made him their top pick in the draft, left-hander Jordan Wicks is trying to solidify a consistent role in the majors. 📝 @mmontemurro.bsky.social

Not exactly encouraging news on the visa issues delaying the arrival of Cubs catchers Moisés Ballesteros and Christian Bethancourt: Counsell said the Cubs aren’t expecting them to arrive until next weekend at the earliest.

How a maturing Pete Crow-Armstrong is working hard to be "a more well-rounded offensive asset" for the Cubs and a look at the adjustments he made over the offseason: www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/p...

Cubs camp Day 4:

A lot of live BP at an overall quiet day at Cubs camp. Shota Imanaga was among the pitchers who threw and got to face Seiya Suzuki. They each bested the other: Suzuki took Imanaga deep in the first at-bat (first two images) then struck out in the second at-bat (second two images):

"He wanted more, he thinks there's more in there, there's more to prove, and you can tell by the way he's coming to spring training that he feels that way," pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said of Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. 📝 @mmontemurro.bsky.social

Lefty Shota Imanaga, back with the Cubs after accepting their qualifying offer, begins spring training with a clear vision of what must change this season. 📝 @mmontemurro.bsky.social reporting from Mesa, Ariz.

Assad arrived yesterday, Ballesteros is not yet here as he remains delayed by the visa issues.

Bregman was back at camp today, though still not feeling 100% from what he suspects is a cold. As far as I know, everyone who should have been at camp today was here.

A cool, overcast day at Cubs camp:

Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins threw live BP today to a group that includes Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong:

Charles Barkley is at Cubs camp today. He’s a guest of Rick Sutcliffe’s.

Cade Horton says he has “a lot to prove” after finishing second in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Craig Counsell plans to give Michael Busch more starts vs. lefties. And who will be the fourth outfielder? Notes from Cubs camp from @mmontemurro.bsky.social.

RHP Vince Velasquez has been added as a NRI for Cubs big-league camp.

Inspired by a delightful back-and-forth on here recently between @robertloerzel.bsky.social & @ladytophamcatt.bsky.social sharing photos of the Chicago Municipal Device, I thought it’d be fun to write about what the hell it even is and why you can spot it all over town once you look for it Gift 🔗

I'm not too surprised since most of the players in those two exhibition games vs. the Yankees will be prospects/minor-league guys. The Cubs are planning to depart AZ with their opening day roster, minus any starting pitchers who need work to stay on schedule, after their last Cactus League game.

Day 1 of Cubs spring training where activities included Jameson Taillon facing Alex Bregman and Michael Busch in live BP and Matt Shaw taking fly balls in right field:

Of those 10 Cubs exhibition games on the radio, 7 overlap with the game also broadcasting on Marquee, leaving 4 standalone radio game broadcasts this spring. So there are 18 Cubs spring exhibition games that won't be on TV or radio.

Cubs announce 11 of their 32-game spring schedule will air on Marquee & 10 will be on Score. Only 7 of Cubs' 18 home exhibition games will air on Marquee. One of the 11 TV games is spring breakout game featuring prospects. Marquee airs Cubs' 1st two Cactus games Feb. 20+21 then none until March 1.

Three Cubs are not yet in camp due to visa issues: Moisés Ballesteros, Javier Assad and Christian Bethancourt. Counsell said they are expected to arrive shortly but won’t be in AZ today for Cubs first pitchers and catchers workout.

Sportico estimates the Cubs’ franchise value at $5.69 billion, fourth highest in MLB behind the Yankees ($8.39B), Dodgers ($7.73B) and Red Sox ($6.03B). Among the Chicago sports franchises, the Cubs are behind the Bears ($7.45B) and Bulls ($6.12B).

Cubs 18 NRIs: P: Jaxon Wiggins, Jeff Brigham, Grant Kipp, Corbin Martin, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz, Collin Snider, Trent Thornton IF: Scott Kingery, Jonathon Long, BJ Murray, Jefferson Rojas OF: Brett Bateman, Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick C: Ariel Armas, Christian Bethancourt Casey Optiz

“Ring uses AI to help find lost dogs” yup it probably stops there, sounds fine

The number of AI-related commercials that have aired during the Super Bowl is depressing and gross.

The Cubs officially have 8 players who will participate in the World Baseball Classic: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman & Matt Boyd (USA), Seiya Suzuki (Japan), Jameson Taillon (Canada), Daniel Palencia (Venezuela), Miguel Amaya (Panama) and Javier Assad (Mexico).

journalists are workers who deserve to be paid fairly for our labor and I think that far too few consumers of media recognize or even care about this fact

NEWS: Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter sued by minority partner for allegedly ‘self-dealing’ to devalue other shares. The Sky owner’s tenure notches another controversy www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/31/c...