Cubs finalize Opening Day roster
The Cubs settled their Opening Day roster Monday, as manager Craig Counsell confirmed outfielder Alexander Canario and pitcher Hayden Wesneski will be sent to Triple A Iowa.
That means Miles Mastrobuoni and Nick Madrigal will open the season on the major-league roster. Counsell has previously said Mike Tauchman will be the extra outfielder and former Marlins first baseman Garrett Cooper will be on the roster. Cooper has played some outfield in the majors, most recently in 2021.
Starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (low back tightness) and infielder Patrick Wisdom (back) will open the season on the injured list. Pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. and outfielder Dominic Smith both opted out of their minor-league deals with the Cubs and will seek opportunities elsewhere.
Overall, there haven't been many changes to the roster. The only position players new to the Cubs are Cooper and former Dodger Michael Busch, who is expected to begin the season at first base.
The pitching staff added starter Shota Imanaga, along with relievers Hector Neris and Yency Almonte. The rest of the bullpen will be familiar names — Adbert Alzolay, Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather, Drew Smyly, Luke Little and Jose Cuas.
The Cubs have one spring game remaining Tuesday against St. Louis. The Cubs lost to the Cardinals 6-3 on Monday in Mesa, Ariz. Seiya Suzuki hit a pair of home runs, giving him 6 for spring training, tied for most in the Cactus League. Jordan Wicks allowed 1 run in 4 innings, then the Cardinals scored 5 against Cuas and Neris.
The Cubs open the season Thursday night against defending World Series champ Texas in Arlington. Justin Steele is set to face Nathan Eovaldi.