MESA. Ariz. — When evaluating a pitching staff, every manager weighs spring training performance differently. As the Cubs get ready to begin Cactus League play, manager Craig Counsell has made clear that he doesn’t put too much stock in spring training performance.
“We take our evaluations going in as the most important, otherwise we’re changing our mind on very small sample sizes,” he said. “Open to surprises, absolutely. But being smart with roster construction is what matters.”
That’s something to keep in mind as the battle for the fifth rotation spot plays out over the course of spring training. Drew Smyly, Jordan Wicks, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski are all candidates to open the season at the back end of the bullpen.
“I’ve been around the game long enough where it’s, like, there’s competition throughout this whole locker room,” said Smyly, a 10-year veteran. “And competition is good. It’s healthy.”
Smyly said he has been upfront with Counsell about being open to any role. Last year, he began the season as one of the Cubs’ most consistent starters, hit a midseason rough patch, then finished strong out of the bullpen.
Wesneski won the final rotation spot out of camp last year and moved to the bullpen midseason. Assad has had success in a hybrid role.
The Cubs have been tinkering with the idea of an every-sixth-day schedule for several starters, at least to start the season. It could help ease free-agent acquisition Shota Imanaga into a more traditional five-day schedule as he adjusts from the rhythm of Nippon Professional Baseball. But Counsell also sees it benefitting the Cubs’ other starters.
To create five days of rest between starts, the Cubs can use both scheduled days off and spot starts from pitchers who don’t make the Opening Day rotation.
“We’re in a position right now with the depth guys that there is optionality with some of those guys,” Counsell said. “And that’s a place where we can take advantage of that, frankly.”
Cactus League opener
The Cubs open Cactus League play Friday against the White Sox at Sloan Park. The game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Central and will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.
Wicks is set to start for the Cubs, whose lineup is set to include regulars such as outfielder Ian Happ, utilityman Christopher Morel and catcher Miguel Amaya. But it won’t fully resemble an Opening Day projection. Right fielder Seiya Suzuki, for example, is set to sit the game out, Counsell said. Some players won’t get into games at all this weekend as the team eases into the schedule.
This and that
Utility player Miles Mastrobuoni, dealing with an illness the last couple of days, was away again Thursday. He’s expected to return Friday but isn’t scheduled to appear in the game.
— Outfielder David Peralta took batting practice at Sloan Park on Thursday. The Cubs had yet to announce his non-roster invite deal.
