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Top Cubs News

  • Cubs' Shota Imanaga: To start home opener?

    Imanaga appears on track to start the Cubs' fourth game of the season on April 1, which is the home opener, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Justin Steele will get the ball on Opening Day in Texas, potentially followed by Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks. Imanaga would then be in line to make his MLB debut when the Cubs return home for a series against the Rockies. The Japanese lefty has just a 4.66 ERA in three spring starts, though he's also struck out 19 batters in just 9.2 innings, which showcases the type of potential he possesses in his first season.

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  • Cubs' Drew Smyly: Could serve as spot starter

    Smyly could start the regular season in the rotation with Jameson Taillon (back) set to miss some time into April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns.

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  • Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: Likely to slot in second

    Hendricks appears to be lined up to start Chicago's second game of the regular season, behind Opening Day starter Justin Steele, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    The southpaw Steele has emerged as the team's definitive ace, but the rotation gets a little more jumbled after that. Hendricks makes sense in the No. 2 spot, particularly as a veteran righty with Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks and possibly Drew Smyly joining Steele as left-handed starting options. Hendricks won't wow with strikeouts, though he's a steady pitcher who recorded a solid 3.74 ERA across 24 starts last season, giving him some fantasy value in the right matchups.

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  • Cubs' Dominic Smith: Less competition for role

    Smith seems likely to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, and he now has less competition with Matt Mervis getting optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

    Smith would give Chicago a left-handed power bat off the bench as well as a veteran option should Michael Busch falter at first base. It may not be a fantasy-friendly role right away, but Smith could have more value down the road if his playing time increases. The 28-year-old hit 12 home runs across 153 games with Washington last season to go along with a .254 batting average.

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  • Cubs' Keegan Thompson: Opening season in minors

    The Cubs optioned Thompson to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

    Thompson was one of five players cut Sunday as the Cubs reduced their group at big-league camp to 42 men with Opening Day about a week and a half away. The right-hander had a decent showing in spring training, but his underwhelming results over a larger sample of work in the big leagues in 2023 (4.71 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 26:19 K:BB in 28.2 innings) likely played a greater part in the Cubs' decision to send him to Triple-A to begin the 2024 campaign.

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  • Cubs' Matt Mervis: Roster bid falls short

    The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

    Despite posting a strong slash line of .300/.432/.400 in 19 Cactus League games, Mervis fell well shy of making the season-opening 26-man roster, as he was cut with 42 players still remaining in big-league camp. After a rough showing in his first taste of the big leagues in 2023, Mervis will likely need to mash at Iowa and/or wait for an injury to hit the Cubs' first-base/designated-hitter ranks before he gets another extended opportunity in Chicago.

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  • Cubs' Patrick Wisdom: Managing back issue

    Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Sunday that Wisdom, who hasn't seen game action since Wednesday, is dealing with a back injury, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

    It's not believed to be a serious injury, however, with Wisdom expected to rejoin the Cactus League lineup Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. The 32-year-old also missed time early in camp due to quadriceps tightness, but he's hit well when available, going 6-for-16 with two homers in six spring games.

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  • Cubs' Brennen Davis: Back in action in Cactus League

    Davis (concussion) went 1-for-2 with a double, a run and an RBI while playing seven innings in right field in Friday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox in Cactus League play.

    Davis was placed in concussion protocol after taking a pitch to his helmet Feb. 27. He was reassigned to minor-league camp March 8 and will miss out on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, but his inclusion in the lineup Friday at least confirms that he's cleared the protocol. The outfield prospect is likely to report to Triple-A Iowa to begin the campaign.

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  • Cubs' Ian Happ: Back in lineup at DH

    Happ (hamstring) will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and leadoff batter in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

    Happ will return to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 29 after missing the past two and a half weeks while recovering from a right hamstring strain. The Cubs will ease Happ back into the mix in a non-defensive role, but assuming he's able to resume patrolling left field at some point later this week, he should be ready to handle an everyday role when the team opens its season March 28 in Texas.

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  • Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Nearing mound work

    Taillon said Sunday his back has responded well to rest and treatment, and he plans to throw off a mound Tuesday or Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

    The right-hander's back didn't initially respond well after he was scratched from his start March 9 due to back tightness, but his status has apparently improved significantly over the past few days. Taillon has yet to see game action this spring as he focused on his mechanics early in camp, so even if completely healthy he may not be fully ramped up for the start of the regular season.

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  • Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: May get sent to minors

    Wesneski may be squeezed off the Cubs' Opening Day roster due to Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad both being likely to secure roles, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Wicks is the current favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the rotation, while Assad will likely shift to a long-relief role. That could push Wesneski off the roster entirely, as it may be more beneficial for his development if he's starting regularly at Triple-A Iowa. The righty could have some fantasy upside if he pushes into Chicago's rotation at some point, though for now, his appeal is limited.

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  • Cubs' Jordan Wicks: Seems likely to make rotation

    Wicks appears to be the favorite to land the No. 5 spot in the Cubs' rotation to start the year, with Javier Assad shifting to the bullpen, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Wicks, Assad and Hayden Wesneski have been competing for the last starting spot in camp, with the former doing enough to stand out. The lefty has a strong 2.60 ERA across 17.1 Cactus League innings, and he showed flashes of promise during his MLB debut last season. Wicks may endure some ups and downs as a young starter, though he has interesting fantasy upside as long as he remains in the rotation.

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  • Cubs' Javier Assad: Seems destined for bullpen role

    Assad is likely to secure an Opening Day bullpen role in Chicago, with Jordan Wicks serving as the No. 5 starter, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Assad, Wicks and Hayden Wesneski have been competing for the last rotation spot in camp, but the lefty Wicks seems likely to emerge there. That could push Wesneski down to the minors and send Assad into a long-relief role. The righty excelled in a similar role last year, posting a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings, though Assad would have more fantasy value if he's able to start regularly at some point in 2024.

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  • Cubs' Yency Almonte: Should secure Opening Day role

    Almonte will likely make Chicago's Opening Day bullpen due to being out of options, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Almonte would have to clear waivers if he's sent down, and the Cubs seem unwilling to risk losing the righty. Almonte struggled some last season, recording a 5.06 ERA across 48 innings with the Dodgers, but he also struck out 49 batters. Armed with a fastball that sits around 96 mph, Almonte has the potential to be a bullpen weapon for the Cubs if he cuts down on the walks. The 29-year-old posted a 4.5 BB/9 in 2023, which contributed to his overall struggles.

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  • Cubs' Miles Mastrobuoni: Likely to make roster?

    Mastrobuoni seems likely to secure one of Chicago's final bench spots coming out of camp due to Nick Madrigal (hamstring) being possibly set to miss time, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Mastrobuoni may not be able to hold onto the role once Madrigal is fully healthy, but for now, the super utility job seems to be his. The 28-year-old can fill in at multiple positions, though he doesn't offer enough offensive upside to warrant serious fantasy attention in most leagues. That could change if a larger role opens up for Mastrobuoni, however.

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  • Cubs' Matt Mervis: Decent spring so far

    Despite going 0-for-4 in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Mervis is batting a solid .259 this spring with a .782 OPS.

    While the numbers don't jump off the page, they're an improvement from 2023, when Mervis batted just .167 with a .531 OPS across 27 games, which marked his MLB debut. This year, the 25-year-old may have to settle for a bench role due to Michael Busch now being on the roster and expected to start at first. However, both players are fairly inexperienced at the MLB level, so Mervis could emerge if Busch struggles.

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  • Cubs' Michael Busch: Settling in at first

    Busch, who primarily played second and third base the last few years, said recently he is feeling more comfortable at first, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

    Busch is expected to make an impact with his bat, but the Cubs would also like to get solid defense at first base. Manager Craig Counsell noted that Busch's athleticism is helping him make the transition, and the team seems to be happy with what it is seeing so far in camp. If Busch can hold his own at the position, he should be in line for a fairly steady amount of playing time this season.

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Injuries

Player Injury
I. Happ LF Ian Happ LF Hamstring
J. Taillon SP Jameson Taillon SP Back
P. Wisdom 3B Patrick Wisdom 3B Back
N. Madrigal 3B Nick Madrigal 3B Hamstring
C. Kilian RP Caleb Kilian RP Shoulder

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Tue, Mar 19 @ 9:05 pm
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