Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals - News - March 21, 2023 | FOX Sports

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Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ

Christopher Morel - Hits another home runMorel hit his second home run in as many days and fourth of the spring in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Athletics.

ImpactMorel is batting only .244 in Cactus League action, though the power display has been impressive in 41 at-bats. The 23-year-old hit 16 home runs across 379 at-bats as a rookie last season, but he again struggled to make consistent contact with a .235 batting average. Morel could be a utility option for the Cubs this year, and while the playing time might not always be there, his combination of power and speed could make him interesting at some point.

MARCH 23, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Jameson Taillon - Should be No. 2 starterWith Marcus Stroman set to start Opening Day, Taillon figures to slot in as the Cubs' No. 2 starter to begin the regular season.

ImpactStroman getting the ball on Opening Day isn't a surprise, and it should set up Taillon as the team's second starter, with Justin Steele to follow. Taillon signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Cubs back in December after posting a 3.91 ERA across 177.1 innings with the Yankees last season.

MARCH 23, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Marcus Stroman - Starting Opening DayStroman announced via his Twitter account that he will start Opening Day for the Cubs against the Brewers next Thursday

ImpactStroman will get the ball against Corbin Burnes for the opener. The right-handed Stroman was limited to just 138.2 innings in 2022, but he pitched relatively well in his 25 starts with a 3.50 ERA and 119:36 K:BB ratio. Stroman will never be a fantasy ace because he doesn't miss enough bats, but he should again be a solid if unspectacular option in 2023.

MARCH 22, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Kyle Hendricks - Three more bullpen sessionsHendricks (shoulder) revealed Wednesday that he will throw three more bullpen sessions before progressing to the live batting practice session phase of his schedule, Jordan Bastian...

ImpactHendricks added that he feels like he's in regular spring training mode now rather than rehabbing. Since the veteran right-hander will begin facing hitters right around Opening Day, that would seem to put him in line for a rehab assignment not long after that. He's got a ways to go still as he works his way back from last season's shoulder strain, but perhaps he'll be ready to rejoin the Cubs' rotation sometime in May.

MARCH 22, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Taking normal BP on WednesdaySuzuki (oblique) will take normal batting practice in the cage Wednesday and also do some light baserunning, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

ImpactIt's a step up from the soft-toss drills Suzuki had been going through. The outfielder is coming up on a month since being diagnosed with a moderate left oblique strain and has made some nice progress of late. Suzuki will likely begin the season on the injured list but might not wind up missing much time.

MARCH 22, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Maikel Garcia - Heads to Triple-A OmahaThe Royals optioned Garcia to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

ImpactGarcia was attempting to win a job with Kansas City this spring, and appeared to have a good chance based on his .355 average and .891 OPS over 32 plate appearances in the Cactus League. Instead the 23-year-old will begin the 2023 campaign with Omaha where he'll be a regular at Omaha. Garcia is ranked as one of the top prospects in the system, and will all but assuredly see action with Kansas City before the season comes to an end.

MARCH 22, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Nick Pratto - Sent down to Triple-AThe Royals optioned Pratto to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

ImpactPratto was a solid contributor in Cactus League play before his demotion, producing a .313/.378/.438 slash over 37 plate appearances. The 24-year-old will get regular playing time at Omaha, and a strong start to his campaign in the minors could see him receive playing time with the Royals over the summer, if not sooner.

MARCH 22, 2023•ROTOWIRE