Gordon Wittenmyer

The Brewers star who beat out Baez for the 2018 MVP signed a seven-year extension that impacts the Cubs’ All-Star core — if only because it takes another marquee player out of an upcoming free agent market.

Centerfielder Ian Happ continued his strong start to the spring, and bullpen newcomer Jeremy Jeffress pitched another scoreless inning in the loss.

Darvish, who talked this week of coronavirus fears, took no chances after developing a cough, seeking to rule out the COVID-19 strain. He could be back on a mound by Friday.

If Bryant has shown anything so far this spring, it is the other side of his value to the team and clubhouse, regardless of his established value on the field.

“They wanted to try to stay below [the luxury tax threshold],” said the veteran reliever whose $1.825-million deal with the Reds is close to the combined total for both major-league free agent contracts the Cubs added this winter. “Now it’s time to turn the page and try to win here.”

Kimbrel used a 96 mph fastball for one strikeout and an impressive curveball for another during a much-anticipated spring debut.

“Obviously, no one knows exactly how this is going to play out. I think it’s important for everyone to plan for all possible outcomes,” team president Theo Epstein said.

Manager David Ross invited the clubhouse favorite to spend a few days at spring training — but not to try out, even though nobody seems quite sure whether Zobrist actually retired.

Indications are the status of that two-game series in June is part of MLB’s internal discussions involving precautionary measures in the face of the growing pandemic.