Cubs’ reliever Antonio Alfonseca, known affectionately — one presumes — as “el pulpo” (octopus) for the extra digit on each hand, will be out until May after slipping on the wet infield grass in a spring training game.

The Cubs were already chancing it by deciding to stay with Alfonseca as their primary closer, though closers are generally overrated. Now they will have to make it through the first month with a closer-by-committee setup. This could turn out well as it did in 2000 when Tom Gordon’s absence early on gave Jeff Fassero and Kyle Farnsworth the opportunity to shine and gain their manager’s confidence, or it could be the first in a series of misfortunes that will tell the story of the Cubs in 2003.

Anyone care to place their bets?