Cubs’ top rookie prospect Starlin Castro broke a Major League record last night in Cincinnati by being the first player in history to record six RBIs during his first game in the majors. Castro went 2-5 with a three-run homer in his first at-bat as a Cub, followed by a three-run triple in his very next plate appearance. The shortstop Castro, was called up on Friday from Double-A Tennessee to give the Cubs a much needed boost offensively.

As journalism and social media continue to collide, the question lingers; how do journalists themselves see and user Twitter?

WGN Sports Reporter, David Kaplan is no stranger to his “followers” on Twitter. I had a chance to ask him (via Twitter) how he uses Twitter and what he thinks about its applicable journalistic capabilities.

Slumping Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez has been benched for today’s game against Arizona, and Manager Lou Piniella says the move was nothing more than a routine day off.

Ramirez has been the Cubs’ clean-up batter for the last several years and has cemented his name in the line-up in the number four slot. However, Ramirez, batting a lukewarm (.155) has been moved into the number five position behind a red hot Marlon Byrd.

On Saturday Carlos Zambrano made his first relief appearance since June 28, 2002, and he was effective holding the Brewers to just one run. The big right-hander had made over 240 starts before coming out of bullpen in Saturday’s game.

Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano is going to the bullpen, really?

Lou, Say It Ain’t So…

Lou Piniella has made a lot a strange moves in his tenure as Cubs’ manager over the past four years, but this switch may be the most bizarre. The Cubs lack of relief pitching and Zambrano’s lackluster start were all contributing factors in Piniella’s decision to move Big Z to the bullpen.

With a host of renovations on display at Wrigley Field, the Ricketts family is quickly trying to win the hearts and minds of Cub fan’s during opening week. Included in the list of changes are new bathroom facilities, vast amendments to the concession stand menu and aesthetic touch-ups on the ballparks general charm.

Marlon Byrd is no Milton Bradley, and Cubs’ fans have taken note by showering the new center-fielder with approval on Twitter. Byrd even has his own MLB.com blog, which could also add to his on-line popularity.

In the last two years the Chicago Cubs have plucked two outfielders from the Texas Rangers. However, the similarities between Byrd and Bradley stop there. Byrd has played well during the first two weeks of the season and he seems to appreciate the fans’ early support for his productivity on the field.

Fans are quick to notice the significant differences between the two players and are not scared to share their opinions on Twitter.

1. 
   kerrence RT @aleagueofherown: I am in love with Marlon Byrd. #Cubs 18 Apr 2010 from Echofon
2. 
   wpbc @aleagueofherown byrd has made me forget that other outfielder. of course a blade of grass could make me forget that guy. 18 Apr 2010 from web in reply to aleagueofherown
3. 
   aleagueofherown @wpbc I really didn’t want Byrd, but happily, I’m starting to feel like I was really wrong. 18 Apr 2010 from web in reply to wpbc
4. 
   jeromeathon Marlon byrd: 3/5 again, doing his part 18 Apr 2010 from txt