The Chicago Cubs’ dugout was the scene of another intrasquad scuffle today, courtesy of starting pitcher Carlos Silva.
Silva, who was shelled for six runs (three earned) in his one-inning start against the Brewers, blew up at his teammates and had to be physically restrained.
With the caveat that spring training has a long ways to go yet, this incident could have a substantial effect on the Cubs’ choices for the back of the starting rotation.
Silva is one of several Cub hurlers battling for two rotation spots behind Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and newly-acquired Matt Garza. Recent reports suggest that the competition is really only for one spot, with 24-year old Andrew Cashner having all but locked up the fourth position.
Assuming that Cashner is safely ensconced in the rotation, that leaves one spot for the taking among Silva, Randy Wells, newly-arrived veteran Braden Looper and (former?) relievers Jeff Samardzija and James Russell.
Silva started brilliantly last year, winning his first eight decisions, but faded to a 10-6 finish. Wells has been a rotation regular the last two years, though his record (a combined 20-24) leaves something to be desired.
They would seem to be the front-runners for the last spot, given that Looper lost the entire 2010 season to injury and neither Samardzija nor Russell has significant starting experience.
Silva can’t have helped his case any with today’s outburst.
Combined with his poor pitching (two home runs allowed in the inning), the incident likely pushes him behind Wells (pictured) in the race for the fifth starting spot.
Wells’ solidly-pitched (and uneventful) two innings yesterday also help his cause.
Silva’s loss of temper might not have brought as much notice if it hadn’t been for Carlos Zambrano’s similar, much-publicized blow-up last season.
As things stand, manager Mike Quade is going to have to ask himself whether he wants to count on a player who picks fights in spring training to go out and start every fifth day.
The importance of today’s events for the Cubs shouldn’t be overstated. Silva will get more chances to pitch before spring training is out and his teammates are unlikely to hold any grudges (after all, they did commit three errors in the inning).
Even so, other things being equal, Silva may have done some lasting damage to his shot at a rotation job in 2011.
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