Chicago Cubs: Health a big focus early on in camp for Joe Maddon

As Cactus League action opens, the Chicago Cubs and manager Joe Maddon are focused on the little things – and staying healthy – to begin the spring.

Apart from his new slogans, which always generate headlines, Chicago Cubs’ skipper is honing in on something often overlooked in Spring Training: keeping his core guys healthy.

Following an extended season last year thanks to a seven-game World Series, pitchers’ arms and players’ legs have less recovery time than normal.

Chicago is already battling one injury this spring. Backup infielder Tommy La Stella is struggling with a left hamstring issue. Injuries like this are what concern Maddon this early in the spring.

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"“Only concern I have right now is legs, and if you see them in the games the next couple days not running,  which you perceive is the hardest, I don’t want them to right now,” Maddon said before the Cubs’ exhibition opener."

La Stella is listed as day-to-day with the hamstring injury. But it’s those types of nagging injuries that can seem to dog a player for weeks at a time.

2016 a healthy, winning season

Last season, Chicago was remarkably healthy. In the starting rotation, only John Lackey battled any substantive injury. Other than that, Kyle Schwarber‘s knee blowout was the only season-ending injury on the big league roster.

Now that the Cubs have Schwarber back and a bevy of pitching depth, the roster seems built to withstand an injury, even to a key piece. The outfield could feature a mix of five or six players on any given day. The same can be said for the infield, as well – especially up the middle.

Next: Cubs' Rondon must learn focus in the middle innings

As Cactus League action gets underway this weekend for the Cubs, it’s more of the same. Fundamentals are key – as is hustle. But, if you notice a lack of dead-sprints, it’s for good reason.

"“I know we have Respect 90 (slogan), but the rain (last weekend) inhibited our legs from getting in shape. I’m asking them not to bust. Run hard but not take it to the next level.”"

Chicago continues Cactus League play on Sunday when they take on the Cleveland Indians in a rematch of the 2016 World Series.