Extra bases

• Albert Almora, the Cubs' No. 1 pick in last year's First-Year Player Draft, went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI in his first game on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough as Class A Kane County lost, 9-2, to Peoria. Almora was slowed after breaking a hamate bone in his left hand in Spring Training.

• The Cubs opened a new training academy in the Dominican Republic and Soriano said he can't wait to see it. Soriano trained at the old facilities near Boca Chica. The new site is near Santo Domingo.

"That's huge for the young guys there to build that facility in the Dominican," Soriano said. "The kids need to know how much it cost to build that facility and know they have to give something back to the Cubs. They have a good facility to workout and get better, but as soon as you get to the big leagues, you have to work hard. You've got to give back."

The facility will not only have baseball fields but provide housing and have an education center for the players.