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  3. article_body => "<p>Nico Hoerner is well aware that he\u2019s in one of the Cubs\u2019 few position battles this spring training.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>\u201cThat's how he's going about his business,\u201d Cubs manager David Ross said this week. \u201cI've seen nothing but this kid coming in here trying to try to win a job, as he should.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>Hoerner tacked on three hits to his running total in the Cubs\u2019 7-0 win Thursday against the Dodgers. In two spring games, Hoerner is 5-for-6 at the plate with two doubles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span><span>The Cubs asked for offense from the 2020 Gold Glove finalist, and so far, that\u2019s exactly what Hoerner has&nbsp;given them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>The club\u2019s bullpen is in flux. The back end of the starting pitching rotation is still up in the air. But when it comes to the field, most of those starting roles are set. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>Except second base. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>The Cubs opened camp with three options: Hoerner and utility infielders David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas. This week, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/cubs-sign-infielder-eric-sogard-left-handed-bat-minor-league-deal?cid=Yahoo&amp;partner=ya4nbcs\">Cubs agreed to a minor-league deal with Eric Sogard<\/a> (pending a physical), adding a left-handed bat to the mix. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>The Cubs could use a by-committee approach at second base. But Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he\u2019d rather see someone <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/cubs\/how-cubs-nico-hoerner-can-grab-hold-everyday-role\">\u201c<span><span><span><span>force their name in the lineup every day.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>Turning last year\u2019s weakness into a spring strength is a good start for Hoerner. The 23-year-old posted a .222 batting average in the shortened season, but he\u2019s leading the Cubs in hits so far this spring. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>After what Ross called \u201ctwo of the hardest hits he\u2019s had in a year\u2019s time\u201d in Hoerner\u2019s first spring game, the second baseman kept his hot streak alive Thursday. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>Hitting second in the batting order, Hoerner started his night off with a line-drive single to right field. He scored later that&nbsp;inning by&nbsp;stealing&nbsp;third and heading home on the catcher's throwing error. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>Hoerner pulled a double to left field&nbsp;in his next at-bat and beat out a ground-ball single in his third and final trip to the plate.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><span><span><span>\u201cHe\u2019s been a pest the last year or two as a hitter on the other side,\u201d said new Cubs pitcher Trevor Williams, who watched Hoerner hit .286 with two home runs against the Pirates, \u201cand now I\u2019m glad we\u2019re on the same team. And I\u2019m loving the way that he\u2019s played the last few days.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><em><span><span><span>Gordon Wittenmyer contributed to the reporting of this story.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/chicago\/podcasts#CubsTalk\"><em><strong>Click here to subscribe to the Cubs Talk Podcast for free.<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/cubs-talk-podcast\/episodes\/d37a230e-0652-45ea-822e-aad95b82dbf8\/embed\"><\/iframe><\/p>\r\n\r\n<drupal-entity data-embed-button=\"app_promo_embed\" data-entity-embed-display=\"view_mode:block_content.full\" data-entity-type=\"block_content\" data-entity-uuid=\"84a634bd-85a1-4e39-9e2a-7d404e5646e3\" data-langcode=\"en\"><\/drupal-entity>\r\n"
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Cubs

/ by Maddie Lee
Cubs

Nico Hoerner is well aware that he’s in one of the Cubs’ few position battles this spring training.

“That's how he's going about his business,” Cubs manager David Ross said this week. “I've seen nothing but this kid coming in here trying to try to win a job, as he should.”

Hoerner tacked on three hits to his running total in the Cubs’ 7-0 win Thursday against the Dodgers. In two spring games, Hoerner is 5-for-6 at the plate with two doubles. The Cubs asked for offense from the 2020 Gold Glove finalist, and so far, that’s exactly what Hoerner has given them.

The club’s bullpen is in flux. The back end of the starting pitching rotation is still up in the air. But when it comes to the field, most of those starting roles are set.

Except second base.

The Cubs opened camp with three options: Hoerner and utility infielders David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas. This week, the Cubs agreed to a minor-league deal with Eric Sogard (pending a physical), adding a left-handed bat to the mix.

The Cubs could use a by-committee approach at second base. But Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said he’d rather see someone “force their name in the lineup every day.”

 

Turning last year’s weakness into a spring strength is a good start for Hoerner. The 23-year-old posted a .222 batting average in the shortened season, but he’s leading the Cubs in hits so far this spring.

After what Ross called “two of the hardest hits he’s had in a year’s time” in Hoerner’s first spring game, the second baseman kept his hot streak alive Thursday.

Hitting second in the batting order, Hoerner started his night off with a line-drive single to right field. He scored later that inning by stealing third and heading home on the catcher's throwing error.

Hoerner pulled a double to left field in his next at-bat and beat out a ground-ball single in his third and final trip to the plate.

“He’s been a pest the last year or two as a hitter on the other side,” said new Cubs pitcher Trevor Williams, who watched Hoerner hit .286 with two home runs against the Pirates, “and now I’m glad we’re on the same team. And I’m loving the way that he’s played the last few days.”

Gordon Wittenmyer contributed to the reporting of this story.

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