Cubs’ Jeff Samardzija doesn’t understand pitch-count concern

A look at what a few major leaguers had to say this week:

“This is an on-field issue for uniformed personnel. That’s all there is to it. I’m a grown man. I’m 29. I’m not a prospect or 22. I feel good, and I’m grown up enough and responsible enough to understand when I can go out and when I can’t go.”

— Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs pitcher, after the Cubs’ front office expressed concern about his throwing 129 pitches in his start last Monday.

“The shift [messed] them up. If you’re playing normal, that’s the end of the game.”

— David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox designated hitter, on his hit that broke up Yu Darvish’s no-hit bid after 8 2/3 innings Friday. With the Texas Rangers playing three men on the right side of the infield and moving their second baseman into right field, Ortiz singled on what otherwise would have been a routine ground ball to second.

“It’s not like he’s at a baseball game in Los Angeles or something.”

— Dennis Morris, attorney for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, to the Toronto Globe and Mail. The controversial mayor took a leave of absence and said he would enter a substance abuse program, but public skepticism about his statement has grown since Ford won’t say exactly where he is.