CHICAGO — The Cubs reported new bleachers at Wrigley Field won’t be ready for their April 5 season opener.
The left- and right-field bleachers are being replaced as part of a five-year overhaul of the ballpark that turned 100 last season.
Carl Rice, the Cubs’ vice president of ballpark operations, said Saturday the left-field bleachers won’t be ready until early May, while the right-field bleachers won’t be ready until late May.
About 1,000 season-ticket holders can choose to get a full refund for games before May 11, a credit or relocate to the grandstand.
The team also said the left-field videoboard should be ready by April 5, but the smaller one will come in May.
Meanwhile, chairman Tom Ricketts confirmed the Cubs bought several neighboring buildings and plan to run them as rooftop businesses.
Also, new Cubs manager Joe Maddon got a rousing ovation from the crowd at the team’s weekend convention. One fan even offered Maddon a place to stay, just in case he needed it.
Maddon is popular in town these days, particularly on the North Side. Many fans believe the long-downtrodden franchise is poised for bigger things and Maddon is the man to lead them there.
“Bring on the expectations,” Maddon said.
The Cubs did just that this offseason, signing ace Jon Lester to a six-year deal worth $155 million at the winter meetings in December.
Diamondbacks sign Cuban pitcher
PHOENIX — The Diamondbacks signed 21-year-old Cuban pitching prospect Yoan Lopez to a minor-league contract.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander played three seasons in Cuba’s top league, going 15-13 with a 3.76 ERA. Lopez got an $8.27 million signing bonus.
Diamondbacks senior vice president of operations De Jon Watson said Lopez is a “good-looking young starter with good upside potential” and features an outstanding fastball and slider.
