FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
CHICAGO CUBS 83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
83-79 · 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
As Kyle Hendricks throws off the mound for the 1st time, a look at the battle for the Chicago Cubs' No. 5 starter The Chicago Cubs have an open competition this spring for the last spot in the rotation while Kyle Hendricks continues to work back from his...
With something to prove, Kyle Hendricks takes another big step in his quest to return Kyle Hendricks threw off a mound for the first time since a shoulder injury sidelined him on July 5, displaying a new shortened arm action.
FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Ready for a comeback, retooled Hendricks returns to the mound MESA, Ariz. -- Kyle Hendricks did not hide his smile when he walked up one of the mounds at the Cubs' complex on Friday morning. This was no...
FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • MLB.COM
Kyle Hendricks - Throws light bullpen session Hendricks (shoulder) threw a light bullpen session Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Impact It only lasted 10 pitches and wasn't at full effort, but Hendricks felt good during and after the mound workout. It was his first time stepping on the bump since he suffered a capsular tear in his right shoulder last summer. The veteran starter is not expected to be ready for the beginning of the 2023 regular season, but the hope is that his initial IL stint will be a relatively short one.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
2023 MLB World Series odds: Futures lines for every team
Spring training is here, so it's time to look at the 2023 World Series odds. Let's dive into the latest Fall Classic futures at FOX Bet!FEBRUARY 24, 2023
Progress report: Chicago Cubs Sizing up the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2023 season
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
Cactus League report: Marcus Stroman and Lance Lynn are set to start the Cactus League openers for the Chicago Cubs and White Sox The Chicago Cubs and White Sox announced the starting pitchers for their Cactus League openers Saturday.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
How Cody Bellinger and the Cubs are working to find his best self at the plate Bellinger comes to the Cubs with a history of success but still searching for that peak performance.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Miles Mastrobuoni - Could compete for bench spot Mastrobuoni is an option to earn a bench role with the Cubs out of spring training, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Impact Mastrobuoni was acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay in November. The 27-year-old appeared in only eight games for the Rays during his MLB debut in 2022, so he's likely to start the year in the minors. However, he's a lefty bat with some positional flexibility, so he could force his way onto the roster with a strong spring.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Caleb Kilian - Working on mechanics Kilian said he is working to correct a mechanical flaw this spring, which he hopes will allow him to post better results in 2023, Sahadev Sharmam of The Athletic reports.
Impact Kilian made his MLB debut in 2022 and struggled mightily, posting a 10.32 ERA and 2.03 WHIP across three starts. It's not a huge sample size, and the 25-year-old still has decent prospect upside, so he could certainly turn a corner this year. The Cubs seemingly have a full rotation entering camp, so Kilian will likely have to compete for a bullpen role or begin the year with Triple-A Iowa.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cody Bellinger - Tweaking batting stance in camp Bellinger is working on a more athletic, slightly less upright batting stance during spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Impact Bellinger has always stood fairly tall in the box, but Chicago coaches want him to take a more athletic position, which they hope will help him stay healthy and produce more at the plate. Since winning the National League MVP in 2019, the outfielder has struggled the past three seasons, batting under .240 each year and recording 41 total home runs after blasting 47 long balls during his MVP campaign. Bellinger will have an everyday role with the Cubs and could be a good rebound candidate in 2023.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Adrian Sampson - Will pitch in spring opener Sampson will work behind starter Marcus Stroman in the Cubs' Cactus League opener Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Impact Sampson is one of the contenders for Chicago's fifth and final spot in the rotation, along with Hayden Wesneski and Javier Assad. Whoever wins that battle might get bumped when Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) returns, but there could at least be some short-term streaming value. Sampson started 19 games for the Cubs last year and posted a strong 3.11 ERA across 104.1 innings.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Cody Bellinger 'feeling refreshed and feeling confident' in first spring training with Cubs Bellinger is aiming to bounce back after a few down years at the plate.
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • SUNTIMES.COM
Cubs tout 'good vibes,' banter on new-look team The Cubs brought in plenty of new players over the offseason, but they say the group has been meshing well in spring training
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • SUNTIMES.COM
Bellinger already in swing of things at camp MESA, Ariz. -- The baseball jumped off Cody Bellinger's bat and soared over left-center field at Sloan Park on Thursday morning. As the orb...
FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • MLB.COM
Marcus Stroman - Gets nod for Cactus League opener Stroman will start for the Cubs in their Cactus League opener Saturday against the Giants, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Impact Stroman will probably also get the nod on Opening Day of the regular season with Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) ticketed for an early IL stint. Stroman signed a three-year, $71 million free-agent contract with Chicago in December 2021 and went on to register a solid 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 119:36 K:BB over 138.2 innings (25 starts) in the first year of that deal.
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
MLB's bigger bases could lead to more steals, fewer injuries
Major League Baseball is introducing bigger bases this season as part of a flurry of changes designed to put more action and athleticism back in the gameFEBRUARY 23, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs notes: Caleb Kilian's struggles, Ryan Jensen's revamped delivery, Mark Leiter Jr.'s nasty splitter Last season's struggles were obviously frustrating and seemed to snowball on Kilian. But he has received treatment and is making changes.
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Paul Sullivan: It's Ian Happ's year to deal with free-agency questions. Will Cubs reach an extension this time? MESA, Ariz. — Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Javier Báez spent the first half of the 2021 season answering questions about their uncertain f...
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Morel eager to stand out among vets in sophomore season MESA, Ariz. -- Christopher Morel’s batting practice at camp Wednesday generated the buzz of a mini-showcase, with fans whipping out their ph...
FEBRUARY 23, 2023 • MLB.COM
Column: It's Ian Happ's year to deal with free-agency questions. Will the Chicago Cubs reach an extension this time? Ian Happ enters his free-agent year having learned a lot from watching how his former Chicago Cubs teammates handled things the last two sea...
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
MLB Over/Under Win Totals 2023: Best bets include Cubs OVER & Rockies UNDER Can the Cubs get to 78 wins? Will the Rockies play .500 ball? Before the MLB season gets underway on March 30, we break down the five best o...
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM
Cactus League report: Gavin Sheets making himself 'valuable' to White Sox — and farewell to a Cubs fixture With four workout days remaining until Cactus League games start, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox were busy preparing for what most believe w...
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Seiya Suzuki - Gets stronger in offseason Suzuki has added about 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason in an effort to hold up better in the 2023 season, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Suzuki ended up playing 111 games during his rookie season, with a finger injury wiping out about a month. The added muscle might not help with finger injuries, but the outfielder still hopes he can be stronger later in the year. ''I just want to make sure I don't get injured during the season,'' he said. ''Just do my best to contribute to the team and obviously win a championship.'' The Cubs added Cody Bellinger in the offseason, but Suzuki should be locked in as a starting outfielder along with Ian Happ.
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Rowan Wick - Gets added competition With the Cubs adding several relievers in the offseason, Wick has increased competition for the closer role, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Impact Righties Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer are the newcomers, and both have some MLB closing experience. Lefty Brandon Hughes, who had eight saves last year, also returns. The Cubs may ultimately use a committee to close out games, which would cap Wick's ceiling, but he could see his value go up if he emerges as the preferred option from this group at some point.
FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
