Chicago Cubs: Is the door open for Mark Zagunis to make team’s roster?

While it seemed unlikely at the start of spring training, the door could be open for Mark Zagunis to make the Chicago Cubs’ Opening Day roster.

Mark Zagunis deserves to be on a big league roster somewhere. Based on how he’s hitting in spring training and a teammate’s injury, it could be with the Chicago Cubs.

Earlier this week, the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales reported that Cubs second baseman Daniel Descalso is sidelined with a sore left shoulder. There is some irony in the news, as Descalso was one of the Cubs’ biggest additions this offseason despite fans clamoring for the team to sign superstar Bryce Harper.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

Another injury from Saturday

Descalso told Gonzales he injured the shoulder diving for a ball on Saturday. He also said he’s taking things day-by-day, so he could ultimately be back healthy sooner rather than later.

But what if Descalso’s shoulder injury persists up to Opening Day?

Look no further than Cubs 26-year-old outfielder Mark Zagunis to take Descalo’s place on the team’s initial 25-man roster.

Our Alex Patt recently wrote how Zagunis is making an early impression in spring training. As of Wednesday, Zagunis is hitting .370/.414/.704 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 27 at-bats this spring.

Depth can’t ever hurt

Zagunis is an experienced player, so his numbers should not come as a huge surprise. 2019 is his fifth spring training and he has played 12 regular season MLB games (2017-18), all with the Cubs.

If Descalso’s injury persists, Zagunis is the clear-cut choice to make the Cubs’ roster out of camp in his place. If not for the Cubs’ position player depth, Zagunis likely would have more MLB at-bats by now. Ironically, that same depth could be the very reason the right-fielder makes the Cubs’ Opening Day roster.

While Descalso is a second baseman, the Cubs have David Bote, Ian Happ and Ben Zobrist able to play the position as well. Happ has played 46 games at second base in his career, though 44 of those appearances were in 2017.

Clear-cut choice

Happ played 115 games in the outfield in 2018, but the point is that he’s capable of playing infield. So, the fact that Descalso and Zagunis play two different positions is obsolete, in a way.

This could all be for naught if Descalso returns to the Cubs’ lineup in the near future. Based on Descalso’s comments to Gonzales, it feels like the second baseman won’t be out too long.

Thus, Zagunis’ big league stay likely will be extremely brief if he does make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. Regardless, look for the 26-year-old to make the Cubs in Descalso’s place if the latter’s injury recovery carries into April.