Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels - News - March 25, 2023 | FOX Sports

Nico Hoerner - Returns to spring lineup Hoerner (biceps) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Royals, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact He'll re-enter the Cubs' spring lineup for the first time since Tuesday, after left biceps tightness resulted in him being scratched on a couple occasions over the past few days. So long as Hoerner escapes Sunday's contest no worse for the wear, he should head into Opening Day with a full-time role in the middle infield in hand.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yan Gomes - Goes deep again Gomes went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Angels.

Impact Gomes continued his strong spring, as he now has a 1.020 OPS and four home runs across 37 at-bats. The veteran catcher figures to split starts with Tucker Barnhart, but with Gomes looking much better offensively in Cactus League play, he could see a slightly larger share of the playing time.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Patrick Wisdom - Having strong spring Wisdom is batting .343 with a 1.036 OPS and two home runs across 35 Cactus League at-bats.

Impact Wisdom has had a strong spring to solidify his spot as the Cubs' regular third baseman. The team added infielders Dansby Swanson and Eric Hosmer in the offseason, which pushed Nick Madrigal out of a starting role, but it appears that Wisdom will stick at the hot corner with Madrigal likely more of a utility player off the bench. Wisdom blasted 53 home runs over the last two seasons, so he should give fantasy managers some power production, though he typically struggles to maintain a high batting average.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Seiya Suzuki - Takes batting practice Saturday Suzuki (oblique) took part in batting practice Saturday and looked good, though he's still expected to begin the season on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Impact Suzuki also took batting practice and did some light baserunning Wednesday, so he seems to be advancing. However, the Cubs will likely be cautious with the outfielder, especially early in the season when temperatures are lower and muscle strains are a bit trickier to manage. Suzuki should still be back around mid-April and will slot back into the starting lineup at that point.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Clarke - Returned to CHC Clarke was returned to the Cubs after failing to make Seattle's Opening Day roster, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Clarke was selected by the Mariners in the Rule 5 draft, and the right-hander struggled with a 5.40 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 6.2 innings in the Cactus League. He returns to the Chicago organization, and he likely will be a bullpen option for Triple-A Iowa during the 2023 campaign.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Javier Assad - Won't be in rotation With Hayden Wesneski winning the fifth rotation spot, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network, Assad will likely have to settle for a long-relief role in Chicago.

Impact Wesneski seemed like the favorite to win the job throughout camp, so Assad shifting to the minors or the MLB bullen has been on the radar. If he sticks with the Cubs, Assad could be a multi-inning relief weapon, a role he excelled in with Team Mexico during the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old still has some upside and could be a starting option later in the year.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs president Jed Hoyer talks past, present and future: 'We're planting trees every day' Jed Hoyer talks about the Cubs' expectations for 2023, the new MLB rules and much more.

MARCH 26, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM