Good Wood
Travis Wood looked regular-season ready Sunday, allowing three hits and striking out four, all looking, in five scoreless innings of the Cubs’ 2-1 home win against the Reds. He continued an impressive run for Cubs starters — 17-straight scoreless innings.
“Taking it day-by-day,” he said. “Today’s over with — it was a good one for me — but tomorrow’s back to work, and get ready for the next one.”
Long haul
One day after Edwin Jackson allowed one run in four innings, manager Joe Maddon said the fight for the fifth starter job — which features Wood, Jackson and Felix Doubront, among others — can “no doubt” last long into spring training.
“It’ll play all the way out,” he said.
Shave
Maddon and members of the Cubs will shave their heads Sunday as part of “Respect Bald,” a way to show support for pediatric cancer research. Maddon did something similar when managing the Rays. For a $100 donation, fans can get their heads shaved alongside Cubs players before the game. For $50, they can get shaved during the game.
On Wada
Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada’s was “feeling better,” Maddon said, after reinjuring his left groin Friday. He said it was in the same area as a separate injury he suffered less than a week earlier.
This and that
• The Cubs will make their first cuts in the next few days, Maddon said.
• Third baseman Tommy La Stella, playing for Bryant, made sharp picks on three grounders.
• Right fielder Rubi Silva threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth Sunday to all-but-secure a win in front of 15,316 fans.
On deck
Cubs at Padres, 3:05 p.m., Cubs.com. Jon Lester vs. Brandon Morrow
