MESA, Ariz. -- Craig Counsell received word that rookie Moisés Ballesteros may have had some nerves when he was summoned to the Cubs manager’s office on Friday afternoon. Counsell did not want that to last too long, so he gave the catcher the good news before he even took a seat.
“He’s on the team,” Counsell said on Friday. “I think we made Moisés unnecessarily nervous, actually.”
One place where the 22-year-old Ballesteros -- Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 55 on the Top 100 list -- does not look nervous at all is in the batter’s box. The catcher had an impressive first stretch with Chicago last season and has continued to show off his natural, all-fields hitting ability this spring.
The way the Cubs’ roster is set up, Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya are projected to split the duties behind the plate. While Ballesteros can give the North Siders a third catching option and added depth behind Michael Busch at first base, he is currently in line to get the bulk of his playing time through the designated hitter role.
“He’s going to DH for us a pretty significant amount to start the season,” Counsell said. “He has earned that, is the best way to say it. When you have a player that has [Minor League] options and it’s a young player, you’ve got to kind of beat down the door to get yourself in the lineup. And so, Moisés has earned that opportunity.
“You almost have to do a little more to get that opportunity, and I think he has. He’s shown us through his stint last year and through what he’s continued to do this spring that he deserves at-bats. And he’s going to get some.”
In 20 games for the Cubs last year, Ballesteros hit .298/.394/.474 with two homers, two doubles, one triple, 11 RBIs, nine walks and a 151 OPS+ in 66 plate appearances. That included hitting .333 with a .999 OPS in 14 games in September, while helping fill in during Kyle Tucker’s stint on the injured list.
After arriving late to camp due to visa issues, Ballesteros did not miss a beat once he got into game action. Through 11 Cactus League games, he was batting .355 with four extra-base hits, 8 RBIs and a 1.007 OPS. On Tuesday, he launched a pair of towering home runs to center field against the Angels at Sloan Park.
“He’s a gifted hitter,” Counsell said earlier this week. “I’ve suggested that the hitting coaches stay away from him.”
Suzuki decision looming
Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has continued with light activity in recent days since tweaking his right knee on a stolen-base attempt with Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Counsell said the team will keep monitoring Suzuki’s progress, but will have to decide soon if a season-opening stint on the injured list makes sense.
“He’s done what we’ve asked so far,” Counsell said. “We’ll make a decision at some point this weekend, but I think we’re making a pretty short-term decision here. So, that will probably instruct what we’re going to do.”
Counsell has noted that Suzuki did some light hitting and throwing on Wednesday, as well as some drills in a pool. The outfielder used Thursday’s team off-day as a recovery day, but was planning on attempting to up his activity level during Friday’s workout.
Roster moves
The Cubs optioned right-handed relievers Ethan Roberts and Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Friday afternoon, trimming the field of candidates for the lone vacancy in the Opening Day bullpen. Both players offer depth with Major League experience for the season ahead.
“Both had good camps, solid camps,” Counsell said. “We’ve got guys ahead of them and we’re healthy, so that’s kind of how we’re looking at it. But both those guys used their offseasons well, made progress with some things, and put themselves in a place where they’re ready to have good seasons. And we know they’ll, at some point, be a member of the team and help us.”
Worth noting
• Counsell said he informed veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt (non-roster invitee) that he did not make the Major League roster. Bethancourt will remain in camp for the time being to continue helping on the catching front.
• Lefty Justin Steele has now faced hitters in a live batting practice twice, continuing a normal throwing progression in his comeback from left elbow surgery. Steele’s timetable for return continues to be May or June.