Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals - News - March 13, 2021 | FOX Sports

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・March 13, 2021 March 13 Mar 13

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Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ

Could play MondayTaylor (back) could return to Cactus League play as early as Monday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

ImpactTaylor has been held out over the past several days due to lower back tightness, but manager Mike Matheny said Sunday that the outfielder is healthy. He could return to the lineup Monday unless the team decides to rest him again, and it doesn't appear as though the issue will impact his availability for Opening Day.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Scratched with back tightnessHoerner was scratched from Sunday's spring game against the Angels with lower back tightness, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

ImpactIt's unclear when the back issue first surfaced for the 23-year-old, though he went 0-for-2 with a walk and a caught stealing during Saturday's contest. Hoerner has been crushing the ball so far in spring training with a 1.383 OPS and four extra-base hits through seven games, and it's unclear how long the back issue is expected to keep him sidelined.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Extends throwing distanceCubs manager David Ross said Sunday that Wick (rib) has increased his throwing distance off flat ground to 105 feet, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

ImpactWhile Ross noted that Wick is making good progress over the past two weeks, the skipper was unwilling to speculate on when the right-hander might be ready to pitch in spring games, according to Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago. Given that Wick will still need to complete multiple bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions before being cleared for his Cactus League debut, he looks unlikely to be ready to go for Opening Day.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Off to slow spring startHeyward is 3-for-15 so far in Cactus League action with two walks and two strikeouts.

ImpactHeyward has historically been a slow starter in camp, as he's batted under .200 in each of his five prior spring trainings with the Cubs. That won't keep the veteran from playing almost every day in right field during the regular season, especially due to his strong defense. Heyward was also better with the bat in 2020, as he posted an .848 OPS, which was his best mark since the .849 OPS he registered during his breakout 2010 rookie campaign with Atlanta.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Could still have optionThe Cubs are awaiting word from the league on whether they'll have a fourth minor league option on Alzolay for the upcoming season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

ImpactThe issue comes down to how the shortened 2020 season will be treated for purposes of options. If the Cubs do have another option year with Alzolay, the righty could be sent to the alternate training site to start the year in an effort to manage his innings. He should still figure into the team's rotation plans for 2021 either way, as he posted a solid 2.95 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across six appearances (four starts) last season.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Yet to arrive at campAlcantara has not been in camp yet this spring due to visa issues, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

ImpactAlcantara was already outrighted to Triple-A Iowa last month, so he won't figure into the Cubs' Opening Day plans even if he's able to make it to camp soon. The 24-year-old, who made his MLB debut with the Tigers last season, gives Chicago organizational depth in the infield.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE

Feels good as DHMarisnick (calf) said his leg felt "really good" after appearing as the designated hitter in a "B" game Saturday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

ImpactMarisnick led off each of the first five innings, and he delivered three hits, including a double. The outfielder said he had no problems afterward, so the Cubs will likely try to get him back on the field during a Cactus League game soon. Marisnick projects as the team's fourth outfielder this season behind the starting trio of Joc Pederson, Ian Happ and Jason Heyward.

MARCH 14, 2021•ROTOWIRE