Cubs' Opening Day roster projection: Who will be included when spring training wraps in a week?

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged this could be a tough week for players who don’t know where they’ll be starting the season.

With a week left in spring training, teams are working toward finalizing their Opening Day rosters.

“Everybody knows the names,” Counsell said. “And we’re biding time a little bit because of things that can happen. And you don’t make decisions for that reason — because something can happen today, tomorrow, the next day.”

That something could be an injury. Corner infielder Patrick Wisdom (stiff back) was scheduled to return to the lineup Tuesday but was scratched.

That something could be a transaction. Teams are freeing up roster spots as they put finishing touches on their teams, which could spur movement. The Cubs could get in on the action. They’re set to clear one 40-man roster spot by putting right-hander Caleb Kilian (strained right shoulder) on the 60-day injured list. But if they want to add more than a non-roster invitee to the Opening Day roster, they’ll have to open another spot. Or, maybe, an acquisition will fall in their lap.

“You always want to take the best player, and you always want to start there with the decision,” Counsell said of roster choices. “Also, this is the start of 162 games, and the rosters can change, and they will change. And, so, preserving depth at this time of year takes on more importance than in September.”

With a week to go before the Cubs break camp — and while acknowledging that plenty can change over the next week — here’s one way the roster could shake out:

Infielders (6)

• 1B Michael Busch
• 2B Nico Hoerner
• SS Dansby Swanson
• 3B Christopher Morel
• UTL Miles Mastrobuoni
• 1B Dominic Smith

The bench had posed the biggest question for the infield group. Now, injuries to Wisdom and Madrigal (strained right hamstring) have complicated the equation.

Before the latest news about his injury, Wisdom looked like a strong right-handed option. The combination of him and Smith would provide both right- and left-handed options with potential for power. Smith also has opt-outs built into his NRI deal, so adding him to the roster would keep him in the Cubs organization. And Mastrobuoni could provide a nice mix of defensive stability in a variety of positions.

But if there’s a chance Wisdom lands on the IL to begin the season, the Cubs have to consider other options.

If they don’t add non-roster invitee Garrett Cooper, who was an All-Star just two years ago with the Marlins, they’ll likely lose him. He, too, has an opt-out and is sure to draw interest from other teams.

If Wisdom is looking at a long recovery, Cooper could fill that hole. But if Wisdom won’t be out for long, it could open an opportunity for a young outfielder.

Outfielders (5)

• LF Ian Happ
• CF Cody Bellinger
• RF Seiya Suzuki
• OF Mike Tauchman
• OF Alexander Canario

Happ, Bellinger, Suzuki and Tauchman have been penciled into the Opening Day roster since the beginning of camp.

If Wisdom starts the season on the IL, Canario becomes an intriguing replacement as a right-handed power threat.

Non-roster invitee David Peralta, the former longtime Diamondback, is a candidate for a bounce-back season after playing hurt for much of last year with the Dodgers. He underwent surgery on the flexor tendon in his left forearm in October but, despite a successful recovery, had only three spring-training games under his belt entering Tuesday.

Catchers (2)

• C Yan Gomes
• C Miguel Amaya

No surprises here. The Cubs have a veteran paired with a second-year player pushing to make his mark.

“There’s a learning curve for that position that is steeper than every other position,” Counsell said. “It’s just harder because the amount of information is just a lot more. But you also don’t want to say no to it, if you’ve got a player who’s knocking the door down. That’s how I see it.

“Yan has consistently been a solid player in this league. And certainly, you don’t forget that, absolutely value that. But you always want young players to surprise you.”

Rotation (5)

• LHP Justin Steele
• RHP Kyle Hendricks
• LHP Shota Imanaga
• LHP Drew Smyly
• LHP Jordan Wicks

The last two rotation spots have been the subject of much attention since right-hander Jameson Taillon sustained a lower-back injury that will likely land him on the IL to begin the season. The Cubs are keeping their options open, with Smyly, Wicks, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski competing for the two spots.

Smyly is expected to make the Opening Day roster in one role or another.

“He’s done it, and we’ve seen it happen,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. “So it’s exciting for us to see a guy who’s been around the game, been in the game for 10 ... years, continue to find ways to improve and get better.”

Wicks impressed in his first taste of the big leagues last season and has had a good spring.

“He feels like he’s a better version of himself right now even than he was when he got called up at the end of the year, which is pretty fun to see,” Hottovy said.

Bullpen (8)

• RHP Adbert Alzolay
• RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
• RHP Julian Merryweather
• RHP Héctor Neris
• RHP Yency Almonte
• RHP José Cuas
• RHP Javier Assad
• RHP Carl Edwards Jr.

After their back-end relievers, the Cubs have several ways they could fill out the rest of their bullpen. Counsell’s message to pitchers on the 40-man roster who have minor-league options has been: “Whether you make the team or not, you will pitch for the Cubs this year, and you will probably be optioned.”

“Because that’s the reality of where they’re at,” Counsell said. “Now, their job is to say, ‘I’m pitching so good you can’t option me.’ ”

If the Cubs do begin the season with five left-handed starters, it negates some of the importance of carrying a lefty in the bullpen. But rookie Luke Little will make contributions during the year either way. So will right-hander Daniel Palencia, another reliever who has options, giving the Cubs’ flexibility.

The Cubs have five non-roster invitee pitchers — including 2016 World Series winner Edwards, who has a 1.59 ERA this spring and an opt-out in his contract — but won’t make space for all of them.