Rondon opening eyes in Cubs camp

MESA, Ariz. -- The Cubs got their first look at Rule 5 Draft pick Hector Rondon on Saturday and liked what they saw of the right-hander.

"I was impressed," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Rondon, whose career has been slowed because of elbow problems. "Each time he threw a scud, he came back with a strike. That's what I was impressed with all our pitchers [Saturday]. If they got behind, they came back and got back in the count with a strike and didn't let the at-bat get away from them.

"It was nice to see Rondon in action for the first time," Sveum said. "He threw about three or four cutters that were real quality, which is a pitch he'll have to use. He got back in the count one time with a slider after throwing a scud slider. He showed a lot of poise out there."

Rondon has far more experience than last season's Rule 5 pick, Lendy Castillo, who had not pitched above Class A when acquired. In Castillo's first spring outing in 2012, he gave up one run and one hit and walked one. Rondon gave up one hit in one inning Saturday but that was all.

"He was way ahead [of Castillo] a long time ago, before the injury," Sveum said.