Chicago Cubs: Several names added to teams Spring Training roster

We’re only three days away until pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona and the Chicago Cubs have added a few more names to their 2016 Spring Training roster.

Before we get into that, let’s tip our hats to the men who arrived at training camp early. Guys such as Jon Lester, Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber showed up over the past week and got to work almost immediately.

All three hitters were spotted taking batting practice over the weekend. Which is good for first baseman Anthony Rizzo who should be considered a favorite to win National League MVP honors this season.

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And of course, he’ll have competition not only with Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals but a few of his teammates as well. Schwarber being one of them.

Rookie of the Year winner Kris Bryant and outfielder Jorge Soler have the potential to toss their names in the hunt for MVP honors later on in the year. Bryant has a ton of expectations following a stellar first-year campaign while Soler is looking to stay healthy after missing a couple of months due to multiple injuries.

Nonetheless, this team is stocked to the ceiling with nothing but All-Star talent and a few prospects will be making their Cactus League debut for the Chicago Cubs in just a few weeks. Exciting, right?

Now according to the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs made the decision to add several names to their 2016 Spring Training roster including recently signed outfielder Matt Murton, Edgar Olmos and Ryan Williams.

Murton made his big league debut with the Cubs shortly after he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox along with future Hall of Fame shortstop, Nomar Garciaparra. After he was traded to the Oakland Athletics and later moved to the Colorado Rockies, Murton found himself in Japan.

And just like in the states, the now veteran outfielder made a name for himself overseas, impressing thousands of passionate baseball fans who attended or watched each game.

Like Cuba and the Dominican Republic, baseball is a huge sport in Japan. They look at each player as a warrior stepping onto a battlefield from start to finish. Now that he’s back home with the Cubs, he’ll need to bring his very best if he has any hopes of cracking the big league roster.

Position players will report to Mesa by next week while the pitchers and catchers get in their first workout on Saturday. The countdown to Cactus League play has officially begun.