MESA, Ariz. – With Seiya Suzuki currently working his way back from a right knee injury, a priority for setting the Opening Day roster for the Cubs was maintaining as much outfield depth as possible right now. That played a role in the final decisions related to Chicago’s bench.
On Tuesday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that outfielder Dylan Carlson (in camp as a non-roster invitee) was informed that he will be part of the 26-man roster to start the season. Chicago selected Carlson's contract after its 8-3 loss to the Yankees at Sloan Park. Tyler Austin was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.
In turn, outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara (No. 4 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs) was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
“Both Kevin and [Carlson] had a good camp,” Counsell said. “Some of it is, we’re trying to preserve some depth here. I think that’s an important part of this. We have an outfielder down right now, and if you kind of go through it, the next thing that happens would be – without everybody intact – a little bit damaging. So we have some depth now.”
Alcántara has Minor League options remaining, so he will head to Triple-A, where outfielders Justin Dean and Chas McCormick (non-roster) also offer depth behind the Major League group. To begin the season, the Cubs plan on having both Carlson and fellow non-roster invitee Michael Conforto as part of the big league outfield mix.
The Cubs will also have super-utility man Matt Shaw helping out in right field while Suzuki is on the injured list. With Shaw also being the only backup infielder on the roster, Counsell said veteran infielder Scott Kingery (non-roster) will also head to Chicago with the MLB group. Kingery might make the 26-man roster, but the Cubs are still monitoring moves around the league for that final bench role.
The 27-year-old Carlson – who has played in parts of six MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Rays and Orioles – had a solid Spring Training for the Cubs. In 19 games entering Tuesday, he was batting .304 (14-for-46) with three extra-base hits, five RBIs, eight walks and a .429 on-base percentage while logging innings in all three outfield spots.
“It’s definitely a good feeling being told you’re a part of the group,” Carlson said. “There’s a lot of expectations and a lot of really good ballplayers in that room. So it’s definitely one of those situations where you just feel like you’ve got to be ready for anything, and be ready to go when your opportunity comes.”
Imanaga finishes spring strong
One of the best storylines of the spring has been the early signs that lefty Shota Imanaga might be on the cusp of a strong comeback season. Imanaga’s velocity has been up, and his recent outings have included eye-opening whiff totals.
Imanaga generated 17 whiffs in his five innings against the Yankees in Monday’s exhibition at Sloan Park. That came after the lefty generated 25 whiffs in 4 2/3 innings against the Angels in his previous outing. In those two starts combined, Imanaga racked up 13 strikeouts against three walks with three runs allowed over 9 2/3 innings.
“He was excellent [against the Yankees],” Counsell said. “His last two outings have been very encouraging. Just the amount of swing and miss he’s getting really makes you take notice. And he’s done it against two good lineups – two Major League lineups, for the most part. I was very happy with how he pitched, and I think he was, too.”
Suzuki resumes running
The Cubs have already announced that Suzuki will begin the season on the 10-day IL, but the right fielder continues to make progress with his rehab program. During Monday’s workout, Suzuki added light running to the mix (while wearing a modified brace), and he will continue to increase the intensity and vary the movements in the days ahead.
“He did run a lot. It went well,” Counsell said. “Now, he didn’t run fast [Monday]. It was just a pretty slow jog – it was his first day running. Really, we just every day do a little bit more. That’s kind of the goal.”
Counsell said Suzuki will travel with the team to Chicago and continue his buildup during the season’s first homestand. Prior to the team’s first road trip (beginning on April 3-5 at Cleveland), the Cubs will evaluate the next step for the right fielder.