April 15--Javier Baez shook hands and handed out hugs and high-fives Friday morning as he crept toward his locker in the Cubs' new clubhouse for the first time this season.
The 23-year-old infielder/outfielder had just arrived from Triple-A Iowa, left thumb healed, concussion circumvented, when he finally settled in to arrange his bats and other belongings.
But Baez wasn't there 10 minutes before he was assigned a new locker across the way -- Pedro Strop to his left and Hector Rondon to his right.
"I took a tour around and pretty much got lost," said Baez, who batted .289 with a home run and four RBIs in 28 games last season. "It's amazing. Way different."
Baez wasn't in the starting lineup Friday against the Rockies but said he'll be prepared when manager Joe Maddon beckons him.
"We've got a pretty nasty lineup," Baez said. "The other teams, they're going to have to pick somebody to pitch (to). Hopefully it's me. I'll be ready for it."
Maddon said he won't sit Baez for long. He'll likely spell Ben Zobrist at second and Addison Russell at shortstop, not to mention spot duty in the outfield.
Hello, Baez, meant goodbye, Munenori Kawasaki, who was sent to Iowa after going 1-for-2 with a stolen base in two games. The utilityman famous for his karaoke spots during spring training was optioned Thursday night over a spot of wine with Maddon.
"Probably the first time I've shared a glass of wine with somebody I was sending back down," Maddon said. "We toasted each other. It was a great moment.
"He's recognized for his entertainment value, but he's also a really good major-league baseball player. ... He is a force multiplier. ... He will be back at some point."
In the meantime, Maddon will try to find some playing time for Baez, whose sore thumb wasn't the only thing holding him back from returning. He was hit in the head with a pitch and missed two games for Iowa but said he did not suffer a concussion.
"I feel good," he said. "I've never been here in April, but I'll take it as just another game for me."
Express way: Sunday will mark the one-year anniversary of Kris Bryant's major-league debut. The third baseman/sometime outfielder has impressed Maddon in many ways.
He mentioned how Bryant can change gloves and play left field, how prolific he has been at the plate.
He also dropped a line about seeing him more often this year.
"On top of that, driving in today I see him on all these different Express ads, different bus stops," Maddon said.
Mr. Robinson's neighborhood: All major-league players and coaches wore No. 42 Friday in honor of Jackie Robinson. Maddon took his tribute a bit further, sporting a Dodger-blue Robinson T-shirt before the game.
"It's the appropriate day," he said.
He said it: "So I was ... negative-69 then." -- Maddon when informed his team's run differential (plus-43) through nine games was its best since 1885.
