Opening Day starter Justin Steele exits last spring-training start with bruised left knee

MESA, Ariz. – Cubs starter Justin Steele left his last start of spring training after being struck by a comebacker in the second inning Friday. He was diagnosed with a bruised left knee, the team announced.

The Giants’ Luis Matos, the first batter of the inning, drove a one-hopper up the middle. It hit the outside of Steele’s left knee. Steele collapsed and grabbed his leg. Head athletic trainer Nick Frangella ran out to examine him. After a conversation, Steele walked off the field with Frangella, showing a slight limp.

It was not immediately clear whether the injury would affect Steele’s pitching schedule. But he posted an update and March Madness quip to X, formerly known as Twitter, about an hour after exiting: “I’m ok.. my bracket is not”

The comebacker, scored as a single, was the only hit Steele allowed in one-plus scoreless innings.

Manager Craig Counsell named Steele the Cubs’ Opening Day starter two weeks ago. Depending on his health, Steele is scheduled to start next Thursday against the Rangers.

Smith opting out

First baseman Dominic Smith has asked out of his non-roster invitee contract, sources confirmed. He had multiple opt-outs built into his contract, with the first on Friday.

When Counsell addressed reporters, he said the team hadn’t made any decisions about non-roster invitees with opt-outs.

“Very much what I expected — good left-handed hitter, smooth first baseman, professional at-bats, experienced,” Counsell said of Smith. “Don’t have to watch the spring-training at-bats, almost. You quickly tell, yeah, this is Dom Smith, he’s the player that he’s been. . . . The spring-training performance is less critical for a player like that. We’ve just got to figure out the roster and how it all fits together.”

The Cubs are expected to open one 40-man roster spot by putting pitcher Caleb Kilian (strained right shoulder) on the 60-day injured list. It remains to be seen if they’ll clear a second spot.

According to sources, they have three other non-roster invitees with opt-out dates this weekend: first baseman Garrett Cooper, reliever Carl Edwards Jr. and outfielder David Peralta.

Wisdom update and more

Infielder Patrick Wisdom (stiff back) is set to begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Counsell announced.

“We’re hoping it’s a short stay — trending towards a short stay,” Counsell said.

Third baseman Nick Madrigal (strained right hamstring) has progressed to running the bases, Counsell said. He’s targeting Sunday to play in a minor-league game.

“We’re going to have to make a decision on Nick,” Counsell said. “It’s close, but we’ll see how the next couple of days progress.”

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (tightness in lower back) is on track to return from the IL in mid-April at the earliest, Counsell said. He’ll likely get a minor-league rehab assignment to build up before joining the rotation

Giants 7, Cubs 3

Giants 13, Cubs 12

The Cubs were credited with nine runs against Giants starter Logan Webb in the first inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Webb came out of the game when the Cubs were up 4-0 with two runners on and one out. But he was allowed to return in the second inning, thanks to spring-training rules, and pitched 4⅓ innings in all.
† Outfielder Seiya Suzuki extended his offensive tear, clubbing a grand slam off Tanner Kiest in the first inning in Scottsdale.
† Non-roster invitee David Peralta went 4-for-4 with three RBI as the designated hitter in Scottsdale.
† In the Cubs’ 7-3 defeat at Sloan Park
in Mesa, the Giants scored all their runs against relievers Hayden Wesneski (four) and Luke Little (three). The Cubs went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
† On deck: Brewers at Cubs, 3:10 p.m. Saturday, Mesa, Marquee, 670-AM, Taylor Clarke vs. Ben Brown.