Cubs opening spring training with 'healthy sense of urgency'

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs pitchers and catchers won’t have their first formal spring-training workout until Wednesday, and position players don’t have to report until next week. But infielders trickled onto Field 1 of the Cubs’ spring complex for early work Tuesday.

While pitchers and catchers threw on the agility field nearby, first baseman Michael Busch, second baseman Nico Hoerner, shortstop Dansby Swanson and third basemen Patrick Wisdom, Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni went through drills and took ground balls. The group has what Hoerner called ‘‘a nice, healthy sense of urgency.’’

‘‘I think what stands out the most on the front end of spring training is just how prepared the pitching staff is,’’ Hoerner said. ‘‘There’s a lot of guys who have put in so much time since the new year and before it just to be ready to go for whatever their role is. And I think our pitching depth was a big strength last year, the amount of different people that we got a lot of innings from, and it seems like we’re even better equipped for that now.’’

It’s an interesting spring for the Cubs for a number of reasons. They have a new manager, who is going to put his own spin on camp. More additions are expected at the tail end of a slow offseason. And they’re coming off a late-September collapse, finishing one victory shy of a playoff berth last season.

‘‘I don’t know if it’s specifically the coming up short at the end of the year or just the feeling of how close things were, as well as how high a lot of the highs were last year,’’ Hoer-
ner said, ‘‘but it just felt like a very significant year in self-evaluation for both individuals and the group.’’

The Cubs clawed their way into postseason contention before the trade deadline last season and felt things slip out of their grasp in the final weeks. Then they watched the Diamondbacks, who edged them out for a wild-card spot, make it all the way to the World Series.

‘‘It shows you’ve just got to get in and anything can happen,’’ left-hander Justin Steele said last month at the Cubs Convention. ‘‘So I feel like it should leave a little bit of a bitter taste in some people’s mouths. But for me, it’s exciting going into this year because I feel like we all know that we can do that again and even more.’’

Yes, playoff talk already has begun, even with Cody Bellinger — and other top free agents — still unsigned. Until Bellinger inks a contract, be it with the Cubs or elsewhere, his free agency will loom over spring-training happenings.

‘‘We can say his name,’’ Hoerner joked after fielding questions about big-name free agents still available and possible spring additions. ‘‘I definitely have given him his space [to make a decision]. I just hope that this process is what he wants and that he gets what he deserves.’’

Hoerner mentioned how early Bellinger showed up at the Cubs’ complex last year after signing a one-year deal.

‘‘Just so consistent with his work,’’ Hoerner said. ‘‘And it was just really satisfying to see a good person earn such a great spot for themselves. Obviously would love to have him here. That would be amazing. But I’m just happy for him, too.’’

There’s already buzz around the new faces in camp. Spring training will give manager Craig Counsell his first opportunity to set a culture and expectations under his regime.

New starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had fans clamoring for autographs and cheering whenever they spotted him.

Wednesday will mark the official start to spring training. Counsell and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer will hold a news conference. Workouts will be more structured.

On Tuesday, however, the crack of fungo bats and the pop of gloves in the Arizona sunshine sure made it feel as though baseball was back.