Last call

• Francisco Rodriguez threw live batting practice on Sunday and is on track to pitch in a game, most likely Wednesday, according to Roenicke.

• A recent flap between the Red Sox and the Marlins drew national attention after the Marlins publicly expressed disgust toward Boston's decision to not bring any "marquee" players to its road game against Miami. The rule is generally that a team must bring four projected starters on road trips and three in split-squad scenarios.

A similar situation arose recently at the Brewers facility, where the Rockies fielded a team mostly void of recognizable players. Roenicke, though, seemed unfazed and addressed it diplomatically.

"It's difficult sometimes," he said. "When you have a couple of injuries and you want to give a guy a day off, it's hard to get them out there. I try to do it. I try to follow by what they tell me I'm supposed to do. But there are times when you are not able to do it."

• The Cubs' new facility in Mesa includes several nuances found at Wrigley Field, including: a replica of the clock that sits above the scoreboard; a seating berm in the outfield that slopes at the same angle as the bleachers at Wrigley; and overhangs behind the dugouts that block out the sun.

Cubs Park is also drawing well, as Wrigley tends to do during the summer months. Sunday's announced attendance: 14,770.

"I think the regular season's a little different from an adrenaline and intensity perspective, but I think in terms of atmosphere, this is as close as you can get," Ryan Braun said.