CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Bailey Horn - Reassigned to MiLB camp Horn was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Horn pitched well in relief for High-A South Bend and Double-A Tennessee with a 2.79 ERA and 74:32 K:BB over 51.2 innings. The 25-year-old southpaw will likely report to Triple-A Iowa, and he has a good chance to make his MLB debut at some point in 2023.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Caleb Kilian - Optioned to minors Kilian was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two over four innings in two appearances this spring. Kilian will work on putting the finishing touches on his development at Triple-A while he awaits another opportunity in the big-league rotation at some point this summer.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Estrada - Sent to Triple-A Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Estrada is a popular speculative play for saves in draft-and-hold leagues, but it seemed likely he would open the year in the minors. He gave up one run with four strikeouts in four innings this spring after registering nine saves across the three highest levels of the minors last season en route to making his big-league debut.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs relief prospect Cam Sanders setting himself up for an in-season promotion: 'He's been really fun to watch' Cam Sanders admits he had good and bad thoughts when informed the Chicago Cubs wanted him to transition from starter to reliever after the T...

MARCH 18, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Cubs closers: The veteran favorite and two youngsters who could someday claim the title This spring has raised questions about the Cubs' bullpen. But when it comes to the closer's role, the present and future look pretty bright.

MARCH 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

'I'll always root for Cody': For Dodgers and Cody Bellinger, it's still an awkward exit Bellinger walked and hit a two-run triple against his old club in a matchup that conjured up memories of his Dodgers roller-coaster.

MARCH 18, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Dodgers Fans React to Cody Bellinger's First Game Against His Former Team This was a weird moment for Dodgers fans.

MARCH 17, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Projecting the Chicago Cubs opening-day roster: Who will claim the remaining spots? In two weeks the Chicago Cubs will line up along the third-base line for opening-day introductions at Wrigley Field. Starting pitchers RHP M...

MARCH 17, 2023 • MERCURYNEWS.COM

Cactus League report: Seiya Suzuki injury update — and Oscar Colás tries out center field Center fielder Cody Bellinger hit his first Cactus League home run for the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in a 3-1 Cactus League loss to the Arizo...

MARCH 17, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

The change-of-scenery Cubs hope a turnaround starts with former MVP Cody Bellinger Will a change of scenery help Cody Bellinger, Edwin Ríos and Julian Merryweather?

MARCH 17, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Cody Bellinger - Hits first spring home run Bellinger went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Bellinger has struggled this spring with a .192 batting average across 26 at-bats, and Thursday's home run was his first in Cactus League action. The outfielder has a starting spot locked down, but with a few down years following his 2019 MVP campaign, fantasy managers will want to see a fast start from Bellinger before feeling too confident about his outlook this season.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Javier Assad - Likely ticketed for bullpen With Hayden Wesneski likely closing in on the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Assad will probably begin the season in the bullpen.

Impact Assad has looked sharp this spring in limited work, but Wesneski has also turned heads, and the latter seems to have the inside track on a rotation spot. That will likely push Assad into a long-relief role, though he certainly could start at some point. The righty made his MLB debut last year and held his own across nine appearances (eight starts), registering a 3.11 ERA.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adrian Sampson - Seems unlikely to start With Hayden Wesneski likely closing in on the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Sampson may have to settle for long-relief work to begin the...

Impact Wesneski hasn't allowed an earned run in Cactus League action while Sampson has a 14.04 ERA across 8.1 innings this spring. The struggles seem likely to push Sampson into the bullpen. The righty made 19 starts and recorded a strong 3.11 ERA last season, so he could reemerge as a starting option at some point, but for now it seems his fantasy value will take a hit as a long reliever.

MARCH 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How Cubs SVP Craig Breslow's journeyman playing career is still paying dividends Late in his career, Breslow played with Tyler Duffey, Julian Merryweather and Ryan Borucki, all pitchers the Cubs added this offseason.

MARCH 17, 2023 • SUNTIMES.COM

Mets' Díaz expected to miss season with torn patellar tendon

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz has a torn patellar tendon and is expected to miss the entire season after hurting his right knee while celebrating a victory in the World Baseball...

MARCH 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seiya Suzuki - Taking dry swings Suzuki (oblique) played catch Wednesday and will take dry swings Thursday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Suzuki will stick to that sort of routine for the next week before perhaps advancing to tee work. The outfielder is headed for a season-opening stint on the injured list after suffering a moderate left oblique strain in late February, but the current belief is that he will be able to join the Cubs' active roster by mid-April.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs manager David Ross compliments pitcher Caleb Kilian's growth Rain also washed away Jameson Taillon’s scheduled simulated game Wednesday morning.

MARCH 16, 2023 • SUNTIMES.COM

Projecting the Chicago Cubs opening-day roster: Who will claim the remaining openings? In two weeks the Chicago Cubs will line up along the third-base line for opening-day introductions at Wrigley Field. Starting pitchers RHP M...

MARCH 16, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Projecting the Chicago Cubs opening-day roster: Who will claim the remaining openings? In two weeks the Chicago Cubs will line up along the third-base line for opening-day introductions at Wrigley Field. Starting pitchers RHP M...

MARCH 16, 2023 • TWINCITIES.COM

Hayden Wesneski - In driver's seat for rotation spot Wesneski is viewed as the favorite to win the final spot in the Cubs' rotation, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Impact Adrian Sampson was considered the favorite for the gig when camp opened, but he's struggled, while Wesneski hasn't allowed an earned run over 8.2 Cactus League innings, boasting an 11:2 K:BB along the way. Javier Assad is also a candidate and has pitched well, too, but Mooney writes that "it would be a big surprise" if Wesneski isn't the choice. The righty was excellent down the stretch for the Cubs last season and makes for an intriguing late-round selection in fantasy leagues.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hayden Wesneski has 'it factor' as Cubs pitcher closes in on starting rotation spot At this stage of spring training, it would be a big surprise if Wesneski isn't penciled in as the No. 5 starter in the rotation.

MARCH 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Mets' Díaz latest on list of freak celebration injuries

New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz injured his knee while celebrating Puerto Rico's 5-2 win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night

MARCH 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets' Edwin Díaz injured celebrating Puerto Rico's WBC win

New York Mets fans began the year dreaming about a World Series closed out by Edwin Díaz

MARCH 16, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rowan Wick - Likely to work in setup role With Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger viewed as the Cubs' top closing options, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Wick may have to settle for setup work.

Impact Wick was second on the team with nine saves last season, but with the veterans Fulmer and Boxberger coming over in the offseason, the former may have to settle for setup work. Wick has the ability to miss bats but he's been inconsistent during his MLB career, and if he's not seeing regular save opportunities, his fantasy value will be limited.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hughes - Out of closer mix? With Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger viewed as the Cubs' top closing options, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, Hughes may have to settle for setup work.

Impact Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the team in the offseason and both have plenty of experience in big relief spots, so it makes sense that the Cubs view them as their top closing options. Hughes did pick up eight saves toward the end of last season, though he may also be Chicago's only left-handed reliever to start this year, so the team may use him at different points in games based on matchups. The 27-year-old may see his fantasy value diminish if he's not closing out contests, but he could have some appeal in leagues that count holds.

MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE