MESA, Ariz. -- The Chicago Cubs released spring invitees Munenori Kawasaki, Shane Victorino and pitcher Manny Parra but are attempting to re-sign all three, according to a team source.
By releasing them before a Tuesday deadline, the team can avoid paying a $100,000 “retention bonus” to keep them in the organization. Victorino is rehabbing a calf injury, while Kawasaki and Parra had impressive springs and are expected to start the season at Triple-A Iowa unless an injury on the big-league club allows them to make the 25-man roster.
