Ian Stewart had a three-run homer and two walks Friday against the Cardinals. The homer was Stewart's first since 2010; he didn't hit any in his 122 at-bats with the Rockies last season. He's off to an 8-for-26 start at the plate.

Ian Stewart is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals. The Cubs will instead go with utilityman Joe Mather against the left-handed Gio Gonzalez. Mather earned an Opening Day roster spot by batting .382/.425/.691 with three home runs in 26 games this spring.

Ian Stewart admitted Tuesday that he's going to have to manage his left wrist condition this season. Stewart missed some time last season with what was described as a left wrist contusion. And while he's feeling better, the 26-year-old often wears a large wrap around the wrist in an effort to manage the condition. "It's a thing that's probably not going to heal during the season, but it's not like it's broke or anything," said Stewart. "It's more like inflammation, just some general soreness. The best chance is in the offseason and even then (we) start working out right when the season's over." Stewart, who was acquired from the Rockies over the winter, is expected to serve as the Cubs' starting third baseman in 2012.

Ian Stewart (quad) is in Tuesday's lineup. Stewart had been sidelined since last Thursday because of soreness in his right quadriceps muscle. But it was never a major concern among the Cubs' team trainers. The 26-year-old former Rockie is expected to start at third base this year on the north side of Chicago.

Ian Stewart (quad) is expected to return to the Cubs' Cactus League lineup on Tuesday. Stewart has been out since Thursday due to quad soreness. An MRI taken this weekend came back clean, and the Cubs aren't concerned about it being a lingering issue. Stewart will start at third base this year in Chicago.

Cubs manager Dale Svuem said an MRI on Ian Stewart's quad came back clean, but the third baseman could be out several more days as a precaution. It doesn't sound like anything that will threaten his availability for Opening Day, but with Stewart's issues last season, he could use as many reps in spring training as possible. He remains an intriguing bounce-back candidate but one that probably should be avoided in mixed leagues for now.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum confirmed Wednesday that Ian Stewart will not be in a platoon at third base. "Stewart's going to play," Sveum said. "These things are all left up to them and how they're doing at the time. But there is no platoon situation in mind at all for anybody right now." Stewart has a .223 career batting average against left-handers and hit just .091 against them in 2011. But the Cubs are going to give him a full-time role and see if he can make the necessary adjustments.

The Cubs and 3B Ian Stewart avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.237 million contract. Stewart, who was acquired from the Rockies last month, was arbitration-eligible for the second time this offseason. The 26-year-old third baseman batted just .156/.243/.221 with zero homers over 136 plate appearances at the big league level in 2011, but Theo Epstein and company are hoping something clicks with the change of scenery.

Cubs acquired 3B Ian Stewart and RHP Casey Weathers from the Rockies for OF Tyler Colvin and INF D.J. LeMahieu. The two sides had been discussing the deal throughout the Winter Meetings and finally reached an agreement on Thursday night. Stewart had a pitiful .156/.243/.221 batting line with zero homers and six RBI in 136 plate appearances this past year for Colorado, but he's shown flashes of power in the past and may be able to get back on track in a different environment. It's a worthwhile risk for Theo Epstein and Co.

According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com, trade negotiations between the Cubs and Rockies involving third baseman Ian Stewart are "still fluid." The Pirates have also checked in with the Rockies on Stewart, who posted a miserable .156/.243/.221 batting line with zero homers and six RBI in 136 plate appearances this past year for Colorado. He's due to make more than $2 million via arbitration in 2012.