Kipnis, Hoerner bid for more playing time

With the 2020 Major League Baseball season scheduled for just 60 games, down from the usual 162, there is no time to waste.

With that in mind, let's get right to it. Here is what we saw in a few key Cubs from Sunday night's exhibition game at Wrigley Field, a game the White Sox won 7-3.

Jason Kipnis:

Kipnis was a little bit of a surprise entry in the starting lineup, taking advantage of this season's universal designated hitter rule.

Kipnis, whose one-year minor league contract was picked up Friday by the Cubs, made manager David Ross happy by homering 426 feet to center field in his first at-bat. He finished 1 of 3.

If the 33-year-old Northbrook native, a left-handed hitter, can display a hot bat throughout the season, he's going to get a lot of playing time, either at DH or second base.

Nico Hoerner:

Hoerner got the start at second base, where he is expected to split time with Kipnis and possibly David Bote and Daniel Descalso. He batted eighth.

The start was a reward for Hoerner's strong spring and summer preseason. If Hoerner continues to develop like the first-round draft pick he was, he will make Cubs fans very happy this season.

Hoerner drove in Willson Contreras in the second inning with a sacrifice fly and lined a single to left center in the fifth. He moved to shortstop late in the game, with Descalso coming in to play second.

Kyle Hendricks:

Hendricks, named the Cubs' Opening Day starter for Friday's first game against Milwaukee, got his final preseason work Sunday.

The game was a little bit of a mixed bag for Hendricks. He looked good at times, but it wasn't a very efficient outing.

Entering the game with the goal of throwing 85 pitches, he threw 83 before being pulled in the fifth with a 2-1 lead and two runners on. Those runners scored when reliever Jharel Cotton gave up a double to Yasmani Grandal.

Hendricks walked 1 and struck out 2, allowing 6 hits.

Victor Caratini:

With Anthony Rizzo sitting out again because of ongoing back spasms, Caratini started at first base. Ross plans for Caratini to split time at first with Kris Bryant, among others, as long as Rizzo is unavailable, but Caratini likely will get the most time.

Rizzo and Ross remain hopeful the veteran will be healthy enough to play when the games get real Friday. However, he could start the season at DH if there's any question about his back.

Caratini, the backup catcher, looked comfortable at first base. He went 1 for 3 at the plate with a single to center in the seventh.