One of the stated goals over the offseason for the Cubs was to build up a longer roster of experienced bullpen pieces, putting the staff in a better position to withstand the kind of in-season storm that arrived early on a year ago.

PHOENIX — Even using a reliever to pinch-hit didn’t stop the Diamondbacks’ onslaught in the eighth inning that buried the Cubs in a 10-6 loss Sunday. And as right-hander Ryne Nelson chopped an RBI single up the middle to increase Arizona’s lead to two, the inning raised concerns that had been brewing.

The Cubs let this game slip through their hands. Their bullpen imploded and allowed the Diamondbacks to mount a massive comeback late in this game.A good startDansby Swanson got the game started in the top of the second with a blast to left-center,

At 4-0, the Los Angeles Dodgers are off to the best start by a defending World Series champion since the Detroit Tigers won their first six games in 1985. The Dodgers have done that without having Shohei Ohtani the pitcher.

Ohtani throws off a mound for the first time in a month on Saturday, but Manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani still has “awhile” to go in his pitching rehab.

Shohei Ohtani has thrown his first bullpen session since late February, but the reigning NL MVP still has plenty of work to do before he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers