The Latest Breaking News from Willson Contreras

Christopher Morel hit a home run, and Brandon Hughes struck out five Pirates in the Cubs’ 7-0 win Tuesday.

CHICAGO — JT Brubaker stood hunched over near third base, screaming out of desperation, trying his best to get the attention of his teammates. It was no use. Ian Happ's pop fly dropped, Willson Contreras reached second base without a play, and the Pirates' caravan of catastrophe had already left…

The Cubs, unlike some teams, didn’t use PitchCom in spring-training games. But a little over a month into the season, it has won over most of their staff.

Contreras’ bat is as hot as Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and manager David Ross have ever seen it.

Seiya Suzuki was a man of few words late Saturday when asked if he ever had experienced anything like playing in the unseasonably cold conditions at Wrigley Field.

Their 7-1 loss Sunday night captured many of the Cubs’ struggles that have led to a 9-18 record. Justin Steele pitched four innings of three-hit ball but left after warming for the fifth with a sore left thumb.

Outfielder Ian Happ entered play Wednesday leading qualified Cubs hitters in batting average and on-base percentage.

The Cubs put Smyly on the bereavement list Tuesday.

Contreras helped instill confidence in right-hander Ethan Roberts before his big-league call-up.