CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

Nelson Velázquez - May be squeezed from roster Velazquez may be the odd man out with the Cubs adding several new players in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact In the outfield specifically, Cody Bellinger is new, and he figures to start alongside Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ. Dansby Swanson, Eric Hosmer and Trey Mancini are also new, so there's more competition for the DH role as well. That could push Velazquez off the roster entirely, though he could resurface at some point if that's the case. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2022 and ultimately appeared in 77 games for the Cubs.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yan Gomes - Could be top catching option Gomes could be in line for a larger role in 2023 with Willson Contreras moving on to St. Louis in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact Contreras is out and Tucker Barnhart is in, with Gomes returning to the roster. That gives the Cubs two defensive-minded, veteran catchers who may end up splitting time. That's a different arrangement than past seasons, when Contreras was clearly the top option behind the plate. It could mean more playing time for Gomes, who appeared in 86 games for Chicago last year with an OPS of .625 over 293 plate appearances.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Zach McKinstry - May see time at DH McKinstry is a candidate to see some time at DH or as a utility player for the Cubs in 2023, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact The Cubs signed Trey Mancini over the offseason, presumably to be the team's primary DH. However, the left-handed-hitting McKinstry could work into the mix in the right matchups. McKinstry didn't do much with the bat in 2022, registering a .199/.273/.361 line across 57 games, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much production.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Marcus Stroman - Set to lead rotation Stroman figures to begin the season as the Cubs' No. 1 starter with Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) likely opening the year on the injured list, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The...

Impact Stroman may have been the No. 1 starter even with Hendricks healthy, but the latter's shoulder injury should cement things. The Cubs did add Jameson Taillon in the offseason, but he figures to slot in as the No. 2 starter. Stroman finished 2022 with a 3.50 ERA and 119 strikeouts across 138.2 innings in his first season in Chicago.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

2022-23 MLB free-agency tracker: Signings, best players still available

Here are some of the biggest moves that've been made in MLB free agency thus far, along with the top players still available.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

A bulked-up Seiya Suzuki hopes to provide the power the Chicago Cubs need — and stay healthy — in Year 2 in the majors Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki's deliberate offseason approach added 20 pounds to his frame to better prepare for the rigors of a 1...

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Former Dodger Edwin Rios Reveals Hurt After LA Gave Up on Him Late Last Season Former Dodgers infielder Edwin Rios told LA Times reporter Jorge Castillo is felt like being “punched in the gut” to not be called up by Los...

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Cubs will rely on Alzolay as multi-inning relief weapon MESA, Ariz. -- Adbert Alzolay had his sights set on a rotation job ahead of last season. Then he stood at his locker at Spring Training a ye...

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • MLB.COM

Former pitching coach Regan sues Mets for age discrimination

Phil Regan sued the New York Mets and former general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, alleging age discrimination and wrongful termination when he was moved out as pitching coach after...

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros' Alvarez has sore hand, won't take BP for a few days

Houston Astros All-Star Yordan Alvarez says he has a sore left hand that will keep him out of batting practice for a few days in spring training

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dodgers: Jason Heyward Shows Swing Changes are Already Paying Off The veteran outfielder is trying to earn a spot on the opening day roster with the Dodgers.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

MLB 26-and-under power rankings: No. 24 Chicago Cubs

The Cubs check in at No. 24 in our comprehensive ranking of each MLB franchise's 26-and-under talent. Here's why.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts on where the payroll is, where it could go and more The Cubs chairman touched on many topics including payroll, sponsorship patches on jerseys and the team's broadcast network.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

What we heard from Tom Ricketts, including whether the Chicago Cubs would go over the luxury tax and the latest on direct-to-consumer streaming Chairman Tom Ricketts said the Chicago Cubs' first-half performance will dictate whether they utilize their current luxury tax wiggle room.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman Thinks Jason Heyward's Swing Has Been Fixed This would be quite the developing story.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Cubs, RHP Michael Fulmer finalize $4M, 1-year contract

The Chicago Cubs have added Michael Fulmer to their bullpen, finalizing a $4 million, one-year contract with the right-hander

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Heyward's new swing the early talk of camp GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Jason Heyward has enjoyed plenty of success during his 13-year big league career. He has made an All-Star team, won a han...

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • MLB.COM

As Kyle Hendricks gears up for his 1st bullpen since his injury, the battle for the Chicago Cubs' No. 5 starter begins A long rehab process is finally leading back to the mound for Kyle Hendricks. The Chicago Cubs veteran right-hander is slated for a light to...

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • DENVERPOST.COM

Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes: Ranking every MLB team's chances to sign him

Where will Shohei Ohtani play next year? It's the biggest question in baseball, and our MLB staff ranked every teams' chances.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Codi Heuer - Shuttled to 60-day IL The Cubs placed Heuer (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact Heuer was already expected to be sidelined until around mid-season while he recovers from March 2022 Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL is merely a formality that opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed reliever Michael Fulmer. If Heuer is able to regain velocity and command once he concludes what will likely be an extended rehab assignment in the minors, he could emerge as a key late-inning arm for the big club in the second half of the season. At this stage of Heuer's rehab, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times relays that the right-hander is throwing bullpen sessions, but he's not yet been cleared to face hitters.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Wisdom - Should remain starter Wisdom will likely begin the year as the Cubs' regular third baseman despite the team adding some new players in the infield, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic repo...

Impact Dansby Swanson was added to play shortstop while Eric Hosmer will begin the year at first. That shifts Nico Hoerner to second base and Nick Madrigal to a bench role. Wisdom should have the edge at the hot corner over Madrigal, but the latter could push for more playing time, especially if Wisdom struggles to make consistent contact.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Major league teams searching for advantages with new rules

The only certainty about Major League Baseball's new rules for the 2023 season is that everyone is going to push and pull on them in search of an edge

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Christopher Morel - Could fill utility role in 2023 Morel may be ticketed for a utility role off the bench in 2023 with the Cubs adding several new players in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact With Eric Hosmer and Dansby Swanson added in the infield, and Cody Bellinger added in the outfield, Morel has no clear path to regular playing time in Chicago. He may have to settle for a reserve role with some occasional starts at DH, or get sent to Triple-A Iowa, where the promising 23-year-old would be able to get additional seasoning.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jeremiah Estrada - May be ticketed for minors Estrada could begin the year in the minors with the Cubs adding several new relievers in the offseason, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact Chicago added veterans Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger, along with Tyler Duffey on a minor-league deal. With the increased competition, Estrada may start the year with Triple-A Iowa. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2022 and appeared in five games out of the bullpen for the Cubs. Estrada throws hard and has displayed good strikeout potential, so he could be in the MLB mix at some point again in 2023.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Hughes - Has new bullpen competition Hughes will likely compete with newcomers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer for back-end roles in Chicago's bullpen to begin the year, Mike Axisa of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Righties Fulmer and Boxberger both joined the mix in the offseason, joining fellow righty Rowan Wick and the lefty Hughes at the back of Chicago's bullpen. Hughes had eight saves and a strong 3.12 ERA in 2022, but the Cubs may mix and match to close games in 2023, which could limit the upside of all these pitchers.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE