Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber for MVP; Jason Hammel retires abruptly

One of our writers believes Kyle Schwarber has a shot at winning NL MVP. Meanwhile, former Chicago Cubs hurler Jason Hammel has retired from baseball.

It’s here. We are just days from Opening Day and the Chicago Cubs beginning another quest – one that hopefully ends with the team’s second World Series title in four years. It was a notable weekend – especially for Joe Maddon‘s club – with a couple of roster moves and some on-field performances to note.

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The Chicago brass turned heads with their weekend decision to demote switch-hitting outfielder Ian Happ to Triple-A Iowa. The former first-round pick put up a woeful .135/.196/.192 slash line in 52 at-bats this spring, striking out 14 times and walking in just four plate appearances. That performance came on the heels of a disappointing .196/.313/.340 performance in the second half of 2018 – as the Cubs’ offense came crashing to the ground.

With Happ heading to Iowa, it seems more likely we see someone like Mark Zagunis on the Opening Day roster. The team’s roster is not yet finalized – so we’ll see how it plays out in the coming days.

On the hill, right-hander Yu Darvish looked sharp, throwing 4 2/3 innings of two-run, four-hit ball. In a Minor League tune-up to test his blister, he struck out eight – and could still be in line to take the mound against his former club in Texas this weekend.

Chicago has a pair of exhibition matchups against the Boston Red Sox to close out the spring this week in Arizona. On Monday, Cole Hamels squares off against former Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello. The pair of contests feature two of the last three World Series champions and will offer both clubs one final tune-up heading into the regular season.

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These & Other Stories You Might Have Missed

Happ optioned, won’t start the season with Cubs – MLB.com

Former Cubs pitcher Hammel retires from baseball – Cubbies Crib

Gennett out 8-to-12 weeks with injury – Call to the Pen

Five reasons Schwarber could win MVP this season – Cubbies Crib

Are Cubs keeping tabs on former Sox backup catcher? – Cubbies Crib

What’s Next?

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