SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Javier Assad was known as into Craig Counsell’s workplace Thursday morning, hoping to listen to the information he’d been working in the direction of all offseason and spring.
He walked out with affirmation that he’d be becoming a member of the Opening Day rotation with Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga and Jordan Wicks. Wicks and Assad had been confirmed as the ultimate two starters on Thursday by Counsell. Lefty Drew Smyly will begin within the bullpen for the Cubs.
“I used to be actually comfortable,” Assad mentioned. “It was one in every of my objectives this offseason and fortunately I used to be capable of attain it.”
Assad and Wicks had been competing with Smyly and righty Hayden Wesneski for the ultimate rotation spot. Jameson Taillon (again) is prone to begin the season on the IL, that means a second starter was wanted no less than for the primary week-and-a-half of video games whereas Taillon builds again up.
Wicks had household across the Cubs’ advanced final week and launched them to Corridor of Famers like Fergie Jenkins and Lee Smith. He additionally had the chance to share the particular information that he had made the Cubs’ rotation.
“It was good to have the ability to spend it with them, inform them and share that second collectively,” Wicks mentioned. “For me it’s like, take pleasure in it, however then transfer on [because] there’s work to be achieved.”
Assad made 10 begins final season, posting a 3.02 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. It was a virtually similar line to what he did popping out of the bullpen, the place he had a 3.07 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. There was some thought that versatility would imply Assad might begin within the bullpen and transition out and in of each roles as wanted within the season.
“He’s a very helpful pitcher in any crew,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer mentioned. “He’s actually proved himself very helpful and I believe it’s good to have some depth, knock on wooden. However I believe he type of emerged as the suitable alternative.”
As an alternative, Assad will man the ultimate spot — and each he and Wicks will attempt to hold onto it when Taillon returns to well being. Performances will dictate that for the pair and different younger arms.
“For guys in that place, you get the subsequent probability by getting individuals out,” Counsell mentioned. “I believe on the stage that guys like Javi and Wes that they’re at proper now, just like the problem is to get main league hitters out.”
Smyly in aid
Smyly was scheduled to begin Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Rockies, however the Cubs pivoted, beginning reliever Yency Almonte and bringing in Smyly in aid. The lefty threw 2 innings, permitting 2 runs on 3 hits with a pair of strikeouts. He allowed a 2-run dwelling run to Charlie Blackmon within the 3rd.
“I’m excited for the chance to assist the crew,” Smyly mentioned. “I believe it’s one thing I could be actually good at, one thing I can thrive in.”
The Cubs favored how Smyly pitched in aid on the finish of final yr. When the Cubs bullpen handled accidents, Smyly was moved to the bullpen and served as each a lefty reliever and a long-relief choice.
“I believe he did properly in that position on the finish of the yr, and type of placing him in that position to begin versus bouncing made some sense,” Hoyer mentioned.
Counsell has been open in noting that pitchers like Smyly and Wesneski will make begins at factors this yr. However Smyly in aid permits Counsell to make use of him in a mess of the way like final season — in opposition to pockets of left-handed hitters or to cowl innings.
“I believe, perhaps proper now my recreation performs higher as a reliever,” Smyly mentioned. “I don’t suppose it’s one thing [like] I’m unhappy I’m not beginning, I began 10 years within the league and I don’t suppose I’m closing the door on that.
“Now we have a superb crew the place the objectives are to win. That’s the crew you wish to be on … I’ve been saying this complete spring, I don’t care what position I’m pitching in. I wanna be capable to assist the crew win.”
Roster cuts
Past the rotation information, the Cubs made a collection of roster cuts, trimming the variety of gamers in camp to 37. Probably the most notable of these was righty reliever Daniel Palencia, who was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
“I imply the message is actually, right now, we received a few pitchers forward of him,” Counsell mentioned. “You’re gonna pitch for the Chicago Cubs this yr. It might be quickly. So, it’s a disappointing day however because the Triple-A season begins, it’s essential that you just be locked in as a result of it might be any day.”
That’s the message Counsell has been preaching all camp lengthy — the 26 gamers that break camp and go to Texas aren’t the one people who can be contributing to the crew over the course of a 162-game season.
“They’re going to be a part of the crew at varied factors this season,” Counsell mentioned. “They’re a part of the crew in that sense, as a result of you already know they’re gonna be a part of the crew.”
Proper-handed pitcher Colten Brewer, left-handed pitchers Thomas Pannone and Richard Lovelady and infielder David Bote had been all re-assigned to minor-league camp. Moreover, Counsell mentioned catchers Joe Hudson and Jorge Alfaro had been knowledgeable they weren’t making the Opening Day roster however would stay in big-league camp.
Subsequent Up
The Cubs have break up squad motion Friday, as they host the Giants at 3 p.m. at Sloan Park with Steele getting the beginning on Marquee Sports activities Community. It must be his ultimate begin earlier than Opening Day. Assad will begin the opposite recreation in Scottsdale the place they play the Giants at 3 p.m.