It was kind of a light day at Cubs camp on Wednesday, but there was a bit of news. Here are the latest updates from Cubs spring training. First, Joe Maddon named the opening day starter for Cactus League play anyway.
Right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng will start the first spring training game on Saturday against the Brewers at Sloan Park in Mesa.
Jen-Ho Tseng will start Saturday's exhibition opener vs. Milwaukee at Sloan Park. More pitching probables to come later.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 20, 2019
Tseng had a breakout 2017 season, throwing 145.1 innings in 24 combined starts at Double and Triple-A. He had a 2.54 ERA in the minors before making his MLB debut with the Cubs late in 2017. He was seen as a depth option for the starting rotation entering 2018, and he did make one start, but he only went two innings. Overall in 2018, Tseng made 26 starts for Iowa and it was rough, putting up a 6.27 ERA in 136.1 innings.
Maddon also talked about addressing one complaint players have had with him.
Here’s Joe Maddon’s First Major Adjustment For The 2019 Cubs
Meanwhile, Brandon Morrow took a small step in the right direction, as he’s coming back from elbow surgery.
Brandon Morrow says he passed one test today, throwing from 105 ft. Trainers say he can now play catch everyday and advance from there.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 20, 2019
Morrow won’t be ready for the start of the season and the expectation is for him to return in May.
The Cubs still had no further update on Wednesday about Ben Zobrist, who is still not at camp because of personal reasons.
Nothing to update yet on Ben Zobrist, who is away from the Cubs for personal reasons.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 20, 2019
Maddon reiterated what I've said on the radio a couple times today, Cubs expect Zobrist here shortly…personal situation. They are in touch with him. His health is fine, etc.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 20, 2019
Cubs pitching prospect Oscar de la Cruz was almost cut on the spot (joking) after he nearly drilled Javier Baez on the head.
Javy nearly took a pitch off the helmet from Oscar de la Cruz in live BP, but he shook it off.
To be sure, an adorable kid kept yelling "Javy, are you OK?!" until he got an affirmative answer from the Cubs star.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2019
Kris Bryant update. He’s destroying baseballs again.
Kris Bryant just hit a line drive HR over LF fence in BP and it didn't even look like he was trying.
"Effortless," @kpowell720 said.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2019
Bryant just hit a couple back-to-back halfway up that hill, well beyond the first set of trees pic.twitter.com/0n5cmgg0jo
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2019
Now one over the batter's eye in straightaway CF for Bryant pic.twitter.com/ZXjnTISdzW
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 20, 2019
Kris Bryant's swing. The ball if flying off his bat today. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/59mls9oTgl
— Kevin Powell (@kpowell720) February 20, 2019
He’s back to his natural swing and that shoulder looks 100% healthy. A great sign and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer expects a monster year from KB.
Jed Hoyer Makes A Bold Player Prediction Going Into The Season
Make sure to check out this week’s Cubs mailbag.
A great piece on a Cubs scout.
Cubs Area Scout Gives Sports Mockery Inside Access To Team’s Scouting Department
And you thought it was bad the Cubs didn’t spend in free agency this offseason? Well, the White Sox just embarrassed themselves once again.
Which made this even funnier.
bad timing with this one pic.twitter.com/kFCowiGGPC
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) February 20, 2019
And finally, dogs!
Go big or go home. pic.twitter.com/dFGvyRU1T4
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 20, 2019