MARCH 9•MLB.COM
'It's quite the honor': Steele reflects on arduous path to Opening Day nodMESA, Ariz. -- Justin Steele was summoned to the office of Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Friday afternoon. The time had arrived for Counsel...
Jameson Taillon - Dealing with back tightnessCubs manager Craig Counsell said Taillon was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday against the Rockies due to lower-back tightness, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times report...
ImpactTaillon's back tightened up on him during pregame warmups, and Counsell said the Cubs should have an update on Taillon's status and return timeline Sunday. Taillon has yet to appear in a game this spring and is coming off a 4.84 ERA season -- the highest mark of his seven-year career.
MARCH 9•ROTOWIRE
Jameson Taillon - Scratched from spring startTaillon will no longer start the Cubs' Cactus League game against Colorado on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ImpactThe reason for Taillon's late scratch is unclear, but the 32-year-old righty will have to wait a bit longer to make his spring debut nonetheless. Thomas Pannone will start Saturday against the Rockies in Taillon's place.
MARCH 9•ROTOWIRE
Michael Chavis - Reassigned to MiLB campThe Mariners reassigned Chavis to minor-league camp Saturday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.
ImpactChavis signed with the Mariners in January as a non-roster invitee, but he will end up missing the cut after going 2-for-18 across eight games with two RBI and eight strikeouts. Chavis owns a .650 OPS since 2021 and will head to the minors looking to fight his way back onto the major-league bench.
MARCH 9•ROTOWIRE
Justin Steele named Cubs' Opening Day starterHe'll take the ball March 28 in the season opener against the World Series champion Rangers in Texas.
MARCH 9•SUNTIMES.COM
Justin Steele - Named Opening Day starterManager Craig Counsell confirmed Saturday that Steele will start for the Cubs on Opening Day versus Texas, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ImpactComing off the best season of his three-year career, Steele will be awarded his first Opening Day start. The 28-year-old southpaw finished last season with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP alongside a 176:36 K:BB across 173.1 innings, and he finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. Steele has gotten off to a slow start in Cactus League play, allowing four runs in six innings, but he figures to put together another strong campaign in 2024 if he stays healthy.
MARCH 9•ROTOWIRE
Ranking the 10 best second basemen in MLB 2024
Our nine-part position series continues at second base, which takes on a different look in 2024 with stars Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts...MARCH 9
