Cubs News and Notes: Rizzo bats leadoff, Kevin Rizzo mania, Hoyer on Bryant talks, more |
Monday, March 1, 2021, 8:25 AM | - -

Hello, Cubs fans out there! I hope everyone is having a great start of the week and ready for the upcoming slate of spring training games.
Check out the latest news, photos, and tidbits from spring training with the Cubbies with our latest edition of Cubs News and Notes.
We will try to have this feature several times a week, so everyone gets a summary of what is happening regularly at Cubs camp.
Let's get right all the Cubs notes!
Cubs manager David Ross announced the lineup for Monday's spring training opener:
Anthony Rizzo
Willson Contreras
Jo Pederson
Javy Báez
Cameron Maybin
Davie Bote
Illdemaro Vargas
Ian Miller
P.J. Higgins (DH)
#Padres lineup vs #Cubs 3/1 (2:05 CT): Pham DH, Hosmer 1B, Kim SS, Caratini C, Tanielu 3B, Mateo CF, Abrams 2B, Hassell RF, Marcano LF
— Al Yellon (@bleedcubbieblue) March 1, 2021
Kyle Hendricks will get the nod on the mound today and Adbert Alzolay will get the start on Tuesday.
Rise and shine.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 1, 2021
We play a baseball game today! #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/Kt1pVHaMQ9
Speaking of the 'Professor', he has been a mentor to some of the youngsters on the team including Tyson Miller:
The Professor and the student?? pic.twitter.com/oS5J8J4fhO
— Tyson Miller (@Tyson_Miller07) February 28, 2021
Anthony Rizzo's cute doggie Kevin showed up at Cubs camp on Sunday afternoon:
Bring your dog to work day. ?? pic.twitter.com/MlO68N0IR6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2021
Kevin Rizzo joins the team for a biiiiiiiiiig stretch. pic.twitter.com/6Ca89jO5Wq
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2021
More Kevin Rizzo fun:
Bryzzo + Kevin = ??
— Cubs Zone ™? (@CubsZone) February 28, 2021
(??: @Cubs) pic.twitter.com/EV6qf2pUGM
Petition to make Kevin Rizzo the official mascot of the Cubs.
— Cubs Zone ™? (@CubsZone) February 28, 2021
(??: @Cubs) pic.twitter.com/FQNtYw7EWH
Some more photos from camp on Sunday:
?? ??#CubTogether pic.twitter.com/L7sjh82fZI
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 1, 2021
Best of luck to former Cub Albert Almora Jr. as he continues his baseball career with the New York Mets:
"I think change is good."
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 28, 2021
Albert Almora Jr. reflects on joining the Mets as a free agent after eight seasons in the Cubs organization -- the only other one he's known. pic.twitter.com/uGRsg3Hnh2
Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer talked about the open lines of communication between him and Kris Bryant this offseason:
Our Gordon Wittenmyer caught up with Jed Hoyer regarding the communication with Kris Bryant and his contract status.
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) February 28, 2021
??: @GDubCub pic.twitter.com/FTNoVRGO49
ESPN baseball analyst Jeff Passan trolled the baseball community trying to get people to think that Kris Bryant was traded but it was rather Zach Bryant of the Cubs:
The Boston Red Sox have acquired Bryant from the Chicago Cubs -- Zach Bryant, a 22-year-old right-hander. He's the PTBNL in the Josh Osich trade at last summer's deadline.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 27, 2021
Cubs legend Fergie Jenkins is happy that baseball is back!
Fans in the Stands...Hot dogs at the concessions...Baseball is Back! pic.twitter.com/Uwy4HOwNZG
— Fergie Jenkins (@fergieajenkins) February 28, 2021