Andrew Bagnato

Mike Bielecki has been bounced from the bullpen to the starting rotation and back. But he`s cementing a job as a starter with a new pitch. It`s a slow curve....

Manager Jim Essian blames a lack of concentration for the rapidly rising walk total of the Cub pitching staff. The Cubs are seventh in the National League with 365 walks....

Doug Dascenzo said he plans to call National League President Bill White on Friday to ask for an explanation about why Cincinnati`s Rob Dibble was only fined and not suspended...

Manager Jim Essian gave Rick Sutcliffe a limited vote of confidence one day after Sutcliffe`s disappointing return to the Cub rotation Tuesday night. He`ll give Sutcliffe another start-Sunday night against...

Just when Cubs manager Jim Essian thought he had settled on a daily lineup, he has to pick a catcher all over again. The choice is between Rick Wilkins and...

The Cubs sent Damon Berryhill and Hector Villanueva to Triple-A Iowa Monday night to make room on the roster for Joe Girardi and Rick Sutcliffe, who pitches Tuesday in Philadelphia....

Shawon Dunston said manager Jim Essian`s decision to platoon him at shortstop with Jose Vizcaino has not pushed him toward free agency. ''Not necessarily,'' said Dunston, benched Sunday for the...

Paul Assenmacher has been a setup man nearly all his career, but he has picked up the slack nicely for injured closer Dave Smith. Assenmacher went into Saturday with 11...

Rick Sutcliffe will rejoin the rotation Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Sutcliffe, who made his last start May 26, will become the fifth starter in manager Jim Essian`s expanded rotation. ''I`m...

After Friday`s game, the Cubs sent pitcher Dave Pavlas to Triple-A Iowa to make room on the roster for Danny Jackson, who comes off the disabled list to start Saturday...