On the positive side, the pitching as a whole was better for the North Siders compared to the last couple of games, despite the narrow 3-2 loss to the Rangers. All three runs were charged to starter Hisanori Takahashi, who is actually in camp on a minor league contract to compete for a bullpen spot. He allowed five hits and two walks to go along with those earned runs, but he did register four strikeouts as well. It should also be noted that the runs came in the second and third inning of work for the Japanese pitcher. It remains to be seen whether his chance to win a bullpen job will be better as a long reliever or specialist, but the fact that he is a lefty will give him every opportunity to earn a spot, considering the Cubs pen projects to just have James Russell as a left handed option.

Feb 23, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Hisanori Takahashi (47) pitches during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The other highlights included scoreless frames by Jaye Chapman and Trey McNutt, with Chapman bouncing back from a subpar outing on Saturday. Hector Rondon continued his run of good form, tossing another scoreless frame and continuing to build his case as a legitimate option for the pen rather than a token Rule 5 stash away.

The Cubs fell to 5-8 with the loss, with their road Cactus League record standing at 2-4.

Aug 7, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Brooks Raley (right) reacts after giving up a three run home run during the fourth inning as San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (not pictured) rounds the bases at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately for our boys in blue, the Cubs pitching was not able to hold the 4-1 advantage. After Cubs starter Brooks Raley allowed a run on a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the first, he allowed the Dodgers to pack the bags again in the second. The young southpaw did not get to finish the frame and reliever Trey McNutt was not able to help his buddy out of the jam, allowing a double and a single that charged three more runs to Raley. McNutt would also give up an earned run of his own and eventually got hung with the loss as a result.

Relievers Jaye Chapman and Alberto Cabrera put the Cubs further in the hole, allowing five runs between the two, although a Scott Hairston error did not do Chapman any favors. Veterans Shawn Camp and James Russell came on in the eighth and ninth innings respectively for perfect outings, insuring that everyone could leave in time for dinner after a 3 hour 45 minute ballgame dragged out by all the scoring.

Dodger Jerry outdueled brother Scott in the battle of the Hairston brothers, with Jerry going 1 for 2 with three RBI while Scott went 0 for 2 with three men left on base. But the biggest concern from yesterday’s game was that franchise player Starlin Castro had to exit the game early due to tightness in his hamstring. The early word is that Castro is day to day, but the buckets of injuries to the team overall in recent days has to be concerning.

Matt Garza should also be given some similar slack, as he himself is trying to bounce back from an arm injury that sidelined him for much of 2012. Sure, there is probably no tougher task than to climb back onto the mound after Tommy John surgery, which Baker is trying to do. But there is concern over Garza after he strained his lat muscle. The set back ended his live BP session short on Sunday, and news came out yesterday that the right hander will be going in for an MRI.

The immediate concern regarding the rotation is the question as to whether this will delay Garza’s return to regular season game action come April. The worst case scenario would see Jeff Samardzija being bumped up to the ace slot, followed up Jackson behind him. It is not to say that The Shark and Jackson are not capable of leading a staff, but if this Cubs squad is going to back up their front office’s grand claim to contend in 2013, the North Siders are going to need every piece of the 25 man roster puzzle, and that includes Garza. There is also the long term concern regarding Garza’s fading trade value, when compared to what the Cubs gave up to obtain him from Tampa Bay, as well as the possible plans of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer to deal him come July.

February 12, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza (22) throws during spring training camp at Finch Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The good news is that there is still plenty of time, as Spring Training games have not even kicked off yet. But Cubs starters should be put on notice. Samardzija had to dodge a come backer off the bat of Darwin Barney, with the Cubs second baseman later joking that tagging The Shark with a liner would be the last thing this team needed in the wake of the Garza news.

How would the Opening Day rotation look sans Garza and Baker? As mentioned earlier, Samardzija and Jackson would have to lead the way. Scott Feldman, who was recently penciled into the fourth spot by manager Dale Sveum before the live BP sessions even began, figures to be promoted to the third spot in the rotation. That would leave two open slots at the back end of the rotation. The assumed front runners would have to be Travis Wood and Villanueva. With Trey McNutt not quite Major League ready and the couple of arms that were given a cup of coffee last season not quite impressing, the early bet would be that the rotation jobs would be Wood and Villanueva’s to lose.

Unfortunately for Cubs fans, there is a bit of a shadow creeping in of yet another injury riddled season for the Cubs rotation; something that the North Side seemingly hasn’t been able to shake since the days of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior.