2 Chicago Cubs players who have played their way onto Opening Day roster

The Chicago Cubs constructing their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season has a different feel to it given the team has two regular-season games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan this week before resuming spring training play for another week.

31 players in total made the trip for the Cubs but the team will officially reveal thier 26-man roster on Monday. The 26-man roster the Cubs unveil on Monday assuredly will not be the same 26-man roster they have against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27.

Specifically, Nico Hoerner did not travel with the Cubs to Japan but given the international play while spring training is still ongoing, the team was allowed to keep him in Arizona without having to place him on the IL. Hoerner is expected to be ready for the opener against the Diamondbacks.

Hoerner's return then brings to focus one of the biggest decisions the Cubs will need to make following their Tokyo Series, who will be the final man on the bench. The decision is down to Gage Workman or Vidal Bruján, both of whom the Cubs would risk losing if they didn't roster them for the games against the Dodgers.

That is where we begin as we look at two players who have played their way onto the Cubs' Opening Day roster.

Gage Workman

When the Cubs selected Gage Workman in the Rule 5 draft, he was a third baseman by trade who also could play shortstop. The Cubs have expanded his positional versatility as he has also played second base and the corner outfield spots during spring training games. That versatility, along with Seiya Suzuki appearing to be the emergency center fielder, may have given Workman the leg up on Bruján for the final spot. It doesn't hurt Workman's efforts that he has 3 home runs with a 202wRC+ during Cactus League play.

Brad Keller

Brad Keller's emergence is a large part of the reason why the recent rumors of the Cubs potentially signing Lance Lynn didn't make sense. Keller has flashed an uptick in velocity while also having the look of a swingman out of the bullpen. Keller seems like a lock to make the Opening Day roster and pitch out of the bullpen for the Cubs to open the season.