Blanco hopes for quick return after Florida testimony
Blanco was scheduled to leave Tuesday night for Key West, Fla., and team officials were optimistic he could testify early enough this morning on the first day of the trial to return to Cincinnati close to the 7:10 p.m. local starting time.
Agent Gus Dominguez is being tried on a 53-count indictment for allegedly conspiring to smuggle Cuban ballplayers into the United States. Blanco is not suspected of any wrongdoing, but money used in the alleged smuggling operation purportedly was laundered through Blanco's U.S. bank accounts.
The Cubs do not have a third catcher. Left fielder Matt Murton is considered the emergency catcher in Blanco's absence.
DL FOR PRIOR: It turns out Mark Prior has opened the season on the disabled list for the fourth straight year after all. The Cubs were required to commit him to the DL when they decided to hold him back from the first week of the season at Class AAA Iowa so he could increase his stamina to at least five innings during extended spring training in Arizona.
The Cubs initially reported Monday that the extended spring move would not include a DL move. The Iowa Cubs open the season Thursday in Round Rock, Texas.
Because Prior was optioned to Iowa when the major-league club cut its roster last week, he'll open on the seven-day minor-league DL.
Prior struggled with his command during spring training while trying to rebuild strength in the shoulder that sidelined him much of last season. He showed improvement in his final two starts but threw only two innings in his most recent one. He insisted throughout camp that he was 100 percent healthy.
SUPPORT FOR HAMILTON: Ciati Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton, the former Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect whose career was derailed for years by drug addiction, has made a successful start to his comeback bid -- and drew a standing ovation when he came off the bench to bat in Monday's opener.
''He's a good kid,'' said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who took over the Devil Rays in 2003, when Hamilton's drug problems first were reported. ''He's had it rough, but to his credit, he has beaten it and it's encouraging. I hope he stays on track. He is a talented young man.''
Piniella had a lengthy talk with Hamilton on the field Sunday during a workout at Great American Ball Park.
''Let's hope it ends up a real, real good story,'' Piniella said.
MILLER TIME: Fifth starter Wade Miller's simulated game Tuesday went fine, general manager Jim Hendry said, and the right-hander is poised to make his season debut Sunday in Milwaukee.
Contributing: Chris De Luca