Cubs: Nico Hoerner, Kyle Hendricks among players in Arizona

Last week, we heard about an MLBPA-backed facility setup in Arizona designed to allow members of 40-man rosters to get ready for the season while the lockout continues. It stands to reason we’ll something similar in Florida – but it’s that Arizona facility that’s relevant to Cubs fans.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle (subscription required) a pair of guys expected to be key contributors for Chicago in 2022, Kyle Hendricks and Nico Hoerner, are among the players taking advantage of the facilities of late.

“The Players Association has done an incredible job setting this up,” Hoerner said. Hopefully, more players start showing up, because it’s about as nice a place as I’ve ever worked out.”

Both guys have something to prove this year – regardless of what other moves the front office may or may not make prior to Opening Day. For Hoerner, it’s about staying healthy. Injuries limited the infielder to all of 44 games in 2021. He was solid in those games, but if he wants to be a part of the Cubs’ long-term plans, he’s going to have to stay on the field for 120+ games for the first time in his career.

Where he ends up playing defensively still remains to be seen. He’s a former Gold Glove finalist at second base, but with Nick Madrigal in-tow, he’ll likely have to slide over to shortstop or potentially into the outfield, depending on what the roster ends up looking like. The trick will be building on the 105 OPS+ he posted last year while expanding that defensive versatility this year.

When it comes to Hendricks, we’re talking about one of the best big-game pitchers in team history. The pennant-clincher at home back in 2016, Game 7 – we all know his resume and the body of work it includes. But last year, Hendricks was anything but his usual reliable self, prompting concerns over what his role in the rotation will be moving forward.

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A 6.16 second-half ERA torpedoed his overall numbers – and he managed just one victory in his final 10 outings of the year. With reinforcements in town in the form of Marcus Stroman and Wade Miley, Chicago is hoping Hendricks can pinpoint his second-half issues and return to form as a 32-year-old in 2022.