Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants - News - March 18, 2023 | FOX Sports

Cubs vs

-

Giants

-

-

-

・March 18, 2023 March 18 Mar 18

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
CHC	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
SF	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, AZ

Seiya Suzuki - Making progress in hitting programSuzuki (oblique) will add front-flips in his hitting program Sunday and has been taking non-contact swings in the past few days, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

ImpactSuzuki continues to make progress in his attempt to come back from the oblique strain that has sidelined him since late February. The outfielder is all but assured to open the season on the injured list, but the current belief is that without a setback he stands a good chance of rejoining the Cubs by the middle of April.

MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Javier Assad - Impressing this springAcross 9.2 innings this spring split between the Cactus League and the World Baseball Classic, Assad has tossed 9.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

ImpactAssad has turned into a valuable weapon for Team Mexico, which faces Japan in the tournament semifinals Monday. The righty is battling for the Cubs' fifth rotation spot as well, though it seems like Hayden Wesneski has the inside track there. That could push Assad into a long-relief role, but he's a candidate to start down the road. The 25-year-old could become a fantasy factor if that happens and he continues to pitch like he has this spring.

MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Adrian Sampson - Looks better SaturdaySampson allowed two runs (one earned) across 4.1 innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out six.

ImpactSampson entered the game with a 14.04 ERA across 8.1 innings this spring, so Saturday's start was a step in the right direction. The righty seems destined for a long-relief role with Hayden Wesneski having the inside track for the fifth spot in the rotation, but Sampson did make 19 starts a season ago, so he'll remain a candidate to make spot starts in 2023.

MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Cole Waites - Throwing live BP againWaites (lat) is throwing another live bullpen session Sunday at the Giants' spring facility, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

ImpactIt's the second live bullpen session for Waites, as the right-hander is working his way back from a strained right lat. The Giants have already announced that the 24-year-old will miss the start of the season, but it does appear Waites will be able to return to the San Francisco bullpen before the end of April if there are no setbacks.

MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

With Cubs' rotation starting to crystallize, where do the odd men out fit on the roster?The Cubs will have some difficult roster decisions to make on the pitching side, and they don't mind one bit.

MARCH 19, 2023•THEATHLETIC.COM

Camilo Doval - Pitching solid this springDoval has allowed one run over three appearances so far in his Cactus League appearances.

ImpactDoval has allowed four hits without issuing a walk, and has picked up four strikeouts. The right-hander is expected to serve as the closer for the Giants in 2023, and while there have been some hiccups in his short professional career, his stuff suggests he has the potential to be one of the best relievers in baseball.

MARCH 19, 2023•ROTOWIRE

Turner's grand slam lifts US over Venezuela, into WBC semis

Trea Turner hit a go-ahead grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the United States over Venezuela 9-7 and into the World Baseball Classic semifinals

MARCH 19, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS