Feb. 29--Now that Shane Victorino's back is healthy enough for him to return to switch hitting, he shared some advice for batters who are more productive from one side.
Don't quit switch hitting.
"To see these players talk about getting rid of it and stop being a switch hitter, with every single one I've talked to, if it wasn't for physical reasons, there's no other reason why I'd give it up," said Victorino, who gave up hitting from the left side for two seasons because of bulging disks in his lower back that led to surgery in August of 2014.
"In today's game, the numbers game that everyone plays and the matchups, it's not a benefit to get rid of switch- hitting."
Victorino, 35, started hitting from the right side against right-handers with the Red Sox in 2013 and batted .300. But he said opposing right-handers started to find ways to solve him and he batted .241 from the right side against right-handers in 2014 and .211 last year.
"If you're a switch hitter, I don't care if you hit .150 on one side and .400 on the other, do not give it up."
Fun fundamentals: The Cubs' T-shirts-and-shorts workout Sunday was highlighted by spirited competition during a relay drill in which teams of four players threw about 90 feet apart, with the winning team of catcher David Ross, second baseman Ben Zobrist, shortstop Addison Russell and outfielder Jorge Soler splitting a $500 prize.
Maddon was impressed with the footwork of Zobrist and the ability of Russell to get rid of the ball quickly.
"The slightest bobble, and you get so far behind," manager Joe Maddon said. "And that's with the baserunner running."
Reliever Justin Grimm also displayed his dancing talents while circled by teammates.
"It was a cool day," Maddon said.
Extra innings: Third baseman Christian Villanueva is expected to sidelined for a few months after breaking his right fibula while leaping for a grounder. Villanueva, who is out of minor-league options, is expected to undergo surgery, Maddon said. ... The Cubs are expected to reach terms with all of their remaining unsigned players by Tuesday. ... Several of the Cubs' projected starters took infield and batting practice at Sloan Park to get acclimated to the park before their first home exhibition game Friday.
