It may not crack 50 degrees in Chicago on Thursday, but for baseball fans things are certainly a little brighter. Opening Day is here, and with it, announcements of who will begin the year on each team’s 26-man roster. Here’s who will play on the Cubs big-league roster to start the season:
STARTING PITCHERS
Drew Smyly, Justin Steele, Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Hayden Wesneski
This rotation, barring injury, is completely set, with Wesneski earning the final roster spot last week.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Adbert Alzolay, Javier Assad, Brad Boxberger, Michael Fulmer, Mark Leiter, Jr., Julian Merryweather, Michael Rucker, Keegan Thompson
Brandon Hughes’ knee discomfort was bad enough to warrant a stint on the IL to begin the year. That’s important, because now the Cubs have no lefties in their bullpen.
MLB
CATCHERS
Yan Gomes, Tucker Barnhart, Luis Torrens
Torrens had an impressive spring at the plate and earned a roster spot. Behind the dish, both Gomes and Barnhart have earned rave reviews from Cubs pitchers.
INFIELDERS
Eric Hosmer, Nico Hoerner, Patrick Wisdom, Dansby Swanson, Nick Madrigal, Miles Mastrobuoni, Edwin Ríos
The Cubs are set in the middle infield for a long time with Hoerner and Swanson.
OUTFIELDERS
Ian Happ, Cody Bellinger
The Cubs only have two designated outfielders to start the season since Seiya Suzuki is starting the year on the IL. Wisdom may help out here.
INFIELDER/OUTFIELDER
Trey Mancini
Mancini has bounced between first base and the outfield for his entire career, and that versatility will be especially helpful due to the aforementioned Suzuki injury.
The Cubs also announced how they’ll line up for their first game of the season against the Brewers:
- Hoerner (2B)
- Swanson (SS)
- Happ (LF)
- Bellinger (CF)
- Mancini (DH)
- Gomes (C)
- Hosmer (1B)
- Wisdom (3B)
- Mastrobuoni (RF)
Starter: Stroman