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MIAMI -- Free-agent third baseman Chad Tracy has signed with the Florida Marlins and joined the team for Thursday night's game against Philadelphia.

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After Tyler Colvin tied the game with a two-run single in the 8th inning, the Cubs allowed Cincinnati to push across the game-wining run in the 10th inning on Drew Stubbs fielder's choice that featured a hard slide by Jay Bruce into Ryan Theriot to break up a potential double play.

Several replays showed Bruce moving a sizeable distance outside the base path to take out Theriot, who was unable to execute the throw to first base. Interference was not called on the play, but it appeared Bruce made little or no effort to come in contact with the second base bag.

"I haven't seen it," Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee said. "But it was going to be tough to get Stubbs anyways. He's probably the fastest guy in the league and he hit it to Theriot's left, so it was going to be a real tough double play."

The Cubs also were on the wrong end of a close call at the conclusion of the game when Colvin grounded into a double play, even though the right fielder appeared to have possibly beat the throw to first.

"It was a close play, but those are tough to call either way," Colvin said.

Notes


• It's easy to understand why Lee and his teammates now sit a season-worst 11 games below .500.

"It's just no secret, we're having a hard time getting runs across the plate," Lee said. "It's no secret. It's been the same story all season."

Before Colvin knocked in a pair of runs in the 8th inning, the Cubs had gone 18 consecutive innings without scoring at home. The Cubs have now scored three or fewer runs in nine of their last 11 games.

• Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Silva continues to make a case for an All-Star appearance after recording his team-leading 12th quality start in a no-decision Thursday. Silva, 8-2 with a 2.96 ERA, allowed only two runs in 7.2 innings versus a dangerous Reds ball club.

"It's going to be a big honor for me if they pick me," Silva said. "It would be really nice for me, for my family, especially (after) the last two years."

Silva went 1-3 with a 8.60 ERA for Seattle in 2009.

• Infielder Chad Tracy cleared waivers and opted for his release instead of reporting to Triple-A Iowa.

The Chicago Cubs activated third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the disabled list Friday and designated Chad Tracy for assignment.

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The last bench spot on the Chicago Cubs came down to two veteran newcomers.

Chad Tracy beat out Kevin Millar in a move that didn't seem clear cut coming down the stretch. Tracy's inclusion on the 25-man roster was announced Tuesday afternoon by general manager Jim Hendry before the Cubs' game against the San Francisco Giants. The Cubs also announced that rookie reliever James Russell made the club.

Neither Tracy or Millar, backup infielders signed to add experience to the Cubs' bench, had been in this situation before. Millar had never been released and Tracy hadn't had to fight for a job since 2004, three years after he was drafted. Signed in the offseason, Tracy will back up Aramis Ramirez at third and spell Derrek Lee at first, while giving the Cubs a valuable left-handed bat off the bench.

"Everybody had merit, everybody had different contributions," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "We talked about it long and hard, and decided to keep Tracy."

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There were a number of reasons why the Cubs traded Andres Blanco to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later on Saturday afternoon.
General manager Jim Hendry filled in some of those blanks.

“He was out of options; he couldn’t go back to the minor leagues,” Hendry said. “We felt like he wouldn’t have gone through waivers and cleared, and even if he did, he would have been able to elect free agency, since he’s been outrighted before. At least this way, we can get a player to be named later or cash considerations.”

The Cubs decided earlier in the week that second baseman Mike Fontenot would be able to sufficiently back up shortstop Ryan Theriot. That decision made Blanco expendable, which also opened up a spot on the roster for either Kevin Millar or Chad Tracy to take. A decision on the other bench players, including Millar and Tracy will come sometime Tuesday, according to manager Lou Piniella.

Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry talked at length on Tuesday about the impact of special assistant Greg Maddux and his contribution during spring training.

"When Greg is on your team you're better," Hendry said. "He's exactly what I wanted him to be, and I have no doubt that he has helped a lot of people in this camp. He'd be the last guy to take any credit for that or talk about himself."

Hendry was pretty right-on about his commentary about Maddux. I asked the 355-game winner what spring training has been like for him.

"This has been a fun spring training, one I've enjoyed and learned a lot," Maddux said. "I enjoy being around the players and exchanging ideas. I hope to continue to keep learning at this level."

Hendry went on to talk about the impact Maddux has had during his first spring training as a front office executive.

"I'm thrilled he's here," Hendry said. "It's been a positive in every capacity. He's going to be capable of doing a lot of important jobs down the road, if he chooses. He's about as smart a player as we've ever seen."

Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, and Sean Marshall are just a few of the pitchers who have given Maddux credit for technical and psychological support.

"He's the most successful non-promoting person I've ever met," Hendry said of Maddux.

Maddux will be with the Cubs' minor-league affiliates the first couple months of the season. He will also spend time with assistant general manager Randy Bush and super scout Gary Hughes, learning how to break down games from a scouting perspective. Maddux will also spend time with the Cubs' big-league team as well as have some flexibility to go back to Las Vegas and California for family time.

Hendry and manager Lou Piniella said the Cubs will trim the roster to around 30 players on Friday. At that time they are expected to also name their starting rotation and bullpen pitchers. A battle for the bench role will continue until late next week. The candidates include Chad Tracy, Micah Hoffpauir, Kevin Millar, Sam Fuld, Andres Blanco and Tyler Colvin. Fuld and Colvin are competing for the fifth outfield spot.- The Cubs had a front office and coaches meeting on Monday afternoon to go over roster moves and trade possibilities. Piniella said that the meeting lasted an hour and a half. Participants in the meeting were Piniella and his coaching staff along with Hendry, Bush, Hughes, Maddux and baseball administrator Chuck Wasserstrum. The Cubs usually have one or two of these meetings during spring training.

Xavier Nady will begin playing in the field over the next 10 days. The plan is for him to play in major- and minor-league games in the outfield and first base. Nady is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, replacing a ligament in his right arm for the second time in his career. The plan is for Nady not to overextend himself as far as throwing for now and in the near future. Nady will come out of games for defensive replacements in late game situations during the season in an attempt to prevent him from overthrowing as well as for the team to be able to protect one and two-run leads.

Piniella said Ted Lilly will pitch in his first minor-league game on March 27. The plan for now is for Lilly not to pitch in any Cactus League games. Lilly will continue to work on building his innings up in minor-league competition. His first outing he will be held to two innings pitched. Piniella said they are expecting Lilly back with the team some time in the second half of April.

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella made it official on Saturday -- rookie right-hander Justin Berg has made the pitching staff to start the 2010 season. Piniella said there’s still a battle for the last bullpen spot between left-handers John Gaub, James Russell and Marcos Mateo, as well as right-hander Mike Parisi.

Parisi was a Rule 5 acquisition. If he doesn’t make the team, he has to be offered back to the St. Louis Cardinals for the waiver price.

Fuld vs. Colvin: The Cubs are leaning toward keeping a defensive outfield specialist for their Opening Day roster. It appears it will come down to a battle between Sam Fuld and Tyler Colvin.

Colvin has been the team’s hottest hitter this spring, however, there’s some in the organization that aren’t convinced he can handle center field for any extended period of time.

Fuld is a wizard at handling all three outfield positions and also adds a little more speed to the bench if he makes the team.

Millar vs. Tracy: Veterans Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy are both trying to make the 25-man roster. For Piniella and his staff, it’s a difficult choice to make. Piniella was asked if both could possibly make the team.

“It’s hard,” Piniella said. “I’m not saying it’s not possible. We like both players a lot. There’s a lot to say about contributions and leadership from your veterans.”

The rotation: Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild have mapped out an Opening Day plan where the starters will get three starts apiece in April. After that, the Cubs are hoping that rehabbing left-hander Ted Lilly will be able to return to the rotation.

The leaders for the fourth and fifth spots appear to be left-hander Tom Gorzelanny and righty Carlos Silva. Piniella said he’ll make a decision on the rotation by March 24.

The Cubs will start right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva in Peoria, Ariz. against the Padres on Thursday. Manager Lou Piniella said that the regular lineup will be held back to hit at Ho-Ho-Kam Park while players battling for bench positions like Kevin Millar, Chad Tracy, Bryan LaHair and Micah Hoffpauir will play in the game.

Outfielder Xavier Nady played in his first spring training game on Wednesday, getting three at-bats as the team’s DH. Piniella said Nady might not be ready at 100 percent until June. Nady will still be able to play with his arm at less than 100 percent, however. The Cub outfielder is recovering from a second Tommy John surgery on his right elbow ligament. Nady said he’s not sure of a timetable, either, as to when he’ll be ready to throw at a 100 percent. At this juncture, Nady is throwing at 120 feet.

Right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano's second outing of the spring was a success until the third inning, when according to Piniella, Zambrano lost some of his velocity. Zambrano said that he was pleased with the outing and got in some valuable work.

Cubs team president Crane Kenney is back in Mesa for his third trip to Arizona this spring. Kenney was in town, along with owner Tom Ricketts, on March 5 to converse with Arizona legislators about the team’s planned $84 million new stadium in East Mesa. A site should be chosen in the very near future.

The Chicago Cubs will announce on Wednesday that they have signed former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Chad Tracy to a minor league contract, according to a major league source.

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