Cubs' Marisnick gets early start after hot spring
Cubs manager David Ross did make a change in the outfield Saturday, starting Jake Marisnick in center instead of Ian Happ.
"Ian's fine. I think I've got four really good outfielders that we're going to have to mix and match," Ross said before the game. "I don't want Jake to come from swinging the bat pretty well in the spring to sitting and getting stale. So we're just trying to find the right matchups for guys, rotate that through and try to keep everybody fresh and see what kind of start each guy gets."
Marisnick was neck-and-neck with Joc Pederson for the title of Cubs best hitter in spring training. The former Astros and Mets outfielder hit .409 with 4 home runs.
On Saturday, Marisnick drove in the Cubs' first run with a bloop single to right field to drive in Javy Baez.
Without Happ in the lineup, Ross used catcher Willson Contreras in the leadoff spot. Contreras did his part to fit the role, coaxing a pair of walks and seeing at least 5 pitches in each of his first 4 at-bats.