MESA, Ariz. — When Cubs manager Craig Counsell told outfielder Mike Tauchman entering camp that he already had made the team, it was the first time Tauchman had that kind of clarity to begin spring training.
‘‘From a personal standpoint, [it’s] given me a little freedom to trial-and-error a couple of things, rather than really focusing on the results, focusing on ‘making the team,’ ’’ Tauchman said. ‘‘Because now it’s about getting ready for March 28 and the subsequent games that we have.’’
The news wasn’t a surprise after Tauchman’s 2023 season. He had returned to the United States after a stint in the Korea Baseball Organization and signed a minor-league deal with a spring-training invitation. He was called up in mid-May, when center fielder Cody Bellinger landed on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, and kept proving his value even when Bellinger returned.
Tauchman’s inclusion when projecting the Opening Day roster seemed straightforward, especially because he doesn’t have any minor-league options left. Still, it was a vote of confidence the ‘‘fourth outfielder,’’ so to speak, doesn’t always get.
Entering spring training, Bellinger’s free agency complicated the Cubs’ center-field picture. But now that Bellinger has re-signed, he, right fielder Seiya Suzuki and left fielder Ian Happ — as long as he is recovered from a mild hamstring strain — are penciled into the Opening Day outfield.
‘‘Clarity is always a good thing,’’ Tauchman said. ‘‘Probably everybody in the room could tell you a story of a time they kind of got jerked around a little bit in a conversation or were given partial truths or [had a] wishy-washy conversation. Everybody has a story like that and experienced that in this game. So all we really want is honesty.’’
Players at all positions have said Counsell has been upfront with them, either about their spot on the team or his need to collect more information before making a decision.
‘‘Guys like Mike, I think, always have to feel challenged,’’ Counsell said. “That means the challenge still goes on. You have to earn playing time, and that’s how it should be.’’
Mastrobuoni makes impact
If there was a player of the game for spring-training contests, utility player Miles Mastrobuoni would have claimed the honor in the Cubs’ 5-3 victory Sunday against the Guardians. He went 2-for-2 with a home run and a double and made a standout play in left field.
Mastrobuoni was playing in the outfield for the first time since May of last season. Counsell saw an opportunity, with Happ out, to give him some at-bats and time in the outfield in case he plays there this season.
In the third inning, the Guardians’ Austin Hedges hit a long fly ball off Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks. Mastrobuoni leaped into the wall to pull back the would-be home run, turning it into a double. He ended up with a gash on his head but stayed in the game.
‘‘He plays all-out all the time,’’ Hendricks said. ‘‘He’s the best. He’s my guy. I can’t thank him enough for the effort.’’
Mastrobuoni led off the bottom of the inning by launching a solo homer.
‘‘I kind of gave him a little bit of a hard time in the dugout,’’ Tauchman said. ‘‘You know those old wives’ tales where somebody gets kicked by a horse and they can tell fortunes? You banged your head, and you turned into Ted Williams.’’
Imanaga schedule
Left-hander Shota Imanaga is scheduled to pitch again Friday, Counsell said, giving him an extra day of rest between starts.
Cubs 5, Guardians 3
Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara returned to action Sunday. He had been dealing with a mild hamstring strain that cost him four or five days, manager Craig Counsell said. Alcantara entered the game in the sixth inning, playing right field, and homered in his first at-bat. He is scheduled to get the day off Monday but is penciled into the starting lineup for the Cubs’ game Tuesday against the Royals.
- Right-hander Kyle Hendricks allowed three runs and five hits in three innings. He said his changeup felt ‘‘really good,’’ much better than it had in his last start. ‘‘That was a huge positive,’’ Hendricks said. He identified his four-seam fastball as something to work on before his next start.
- Non-roster invitee David Bote hit his third homer of the spring.
- On deck: Cubs at Padres, 2:10 p.m. Monday, Peoria, Jordan Wicks vs. Matt Waldron.
