The Chicago Cubs haven’t finalized their opening-day roster, however Monday’s commerce of infielder Zach McKinstry to the Detroit Tigers opened up a spot for infielder Miles Mastrobuoni.
McKinstry was despatched to the Tigers for Carlos Guzman, a 24-year-old minor-league pitching prospect who posted a 4.11 ERA in 27 video games final yr with Class-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie.
Mastrobuoni, a second baseman and proper fielder, hit .333 with 2 RBIs in 18 video games this spring. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays final November for minor-league reliever Alfredo Zárraga.
He’ll again up Nico Hoerner at second together with Nick Madrigal, and also will be a fourth outfielder, that means Christopher Morel will begin the season at Triple-A Iowa.
Morel was knowledgeable of the choice Monday, although it was not made official. President Jed Hoyer stated earlier Morel wanted to play recurrently. Morel hit .235 with 16 residence runs in 2022 after being a shock call-up from Double A, but in addition struck out 137 occasions in 379 at-bats.
“He’s the nicest kid in the world and super upbeat and respectful,” Hoyer stated. “It was similar to ‘Hey, you’re not going to play day by day right here, that’s not the most effective factor on your improvement, and after we do name on you we would like you to play. And after we want you and also you’re enjoying nice we’ll convey you up.’
“For the role he was likely to be in for us, it didn’t make a lot of sense.”
The Cubs additionally plan on holding third-string catcher Luis Torrens, a nonroster invitee who can also play first. Torrens, who hit .316 with two residence runs this spring, was considerably of a roster shock with Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart sharing the majority of the load, although the Cubs spent a lot final season with three catchers.
Torrens hit 15 residence runs with the Seattle Mariners in 103 video games in 2021, however solely three in 55 video games in ‘22. He was signed as a nonroster invitee in late January.
Manager Davis Ross introduced earlier than Monday’s recreation that Javier Assad, who excelled within the World Baseball Classic after a robust rookie season in Chicago, would make the workforce within the bullpen as anticipated.
Left-hander Brandon Hughes was possible headed to the injured record after incurring left knee soreness final week, and Rowan Wick is unlikely to make the roster. Barring accidents, the bullpen figures to incorporate Julian Merryweather and Michael Rucker as the ultimate two members, becoming a member of Michael Fulmer, Brad Boxberger, Adbert Alzolay, Keegan Thompson and Assad.
The Cubs don’t must announce their opening-day roster till Thursday morning.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com