The Cubs have announced their Opening Day roster, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki was placed on the 10-day injured list while right-hander Kyle Hendricks and left-hander Brandon Hughes have been placed on the 15-day injured list. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. was added to the 40-man roster, which had already an open spot so no corresponding move will be required.
Leiter, 32, was with the Cubs last year and had a nice season. He posted a 3.99 ERA in 67 2/3 innings over 35 appearances, striking out 25.9% of batters faced, walking 8.9% of them and getting grounders at a 48.9% clip. Despite that strong season, Leiter had exhausted his final option year in 2022 and got squeezed off the roster in January. He elected free agency but re-signed on a minor league deal, though with the ability to opt out if not added to the roster by Opening Day. It seems the Cubs didn’t want to let him return to the open market and have added him to their staff today.
As for the injured players, they have all been dealing with ailments during the spring and it isn’t shocking to see them land on the IL today. Suzuki is still working his way back from an oblique strain suffered in February. Hendricks suffered a torn capsule in his shoulder last season and has been gradually building up strength this year. Hughes, meanwhile, has been dealing with a left knee injury in the spring and was only able to make four appearances.
Subbing Mark for Brandon makes the bullpen Leiter.
Staring the season without a single lefty in the bull pen. Will see how that works out I guess
DIdn’t the Astros go with an all-righty bullpen last year? Not to compare the two teams of course. With the 3 batter rule, having a lefty isn’t as critical.
You are correct, Murph. They did add Will Smith to the World Series roster but he did not appear in a game.
Other than that—all righty bullpen—at least through the playoffs.
They figured it out—get the best pitchers—not the certain hand-ed pitchers.
And like you—not comparing the Cubs to the Astros in any manner.
I was going to mention the same. I think there was another playoff team that only had 1 lefty.
In the best of worlds, you have at least one, if not two. More importantly, as you said, get the best pitchers. It shouldn’t be long until Hughes gets on track, so the Cubs can survive.
Good to see Leiter added. He’s earned it with a very solid 2nd half of ’22 and a solid spring.
The Cubs Brandoned Leiter a spot on the 40 man.
Lefty Righty who cares if the Cubs win. Hughes will be back and Little is right behind him in the minors.
Once Stroman got the double play behind him it was lights out baby!