Cubs announce earliest spring training workout dates of any MLB team

The Chicago Cubs are wasting no time putting a disappointing 2024 season in the rearview mirror. Not only do Craig Counsell's pitchers and catchers report earlier than any other team's batterymates on Feb. 9, but full-squad workouts kick off just five days later, on Feb. 14 - one day before the team they'll open the season against, the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, get the whole team rolling.

Of course, it's that season-opening Tokyo Series matchup between the two teams that have their respective spring training timelines shifted slightly up compared to the rest of the league. MLB's Opening Day is March 27. Meanwhile, the Cubs and Dodgers get things started overseas on March 18-19 - more than a week earlier.

2025 Cubs spring training workout dates

Already, we've seen a number of players in Mesa working out at the Cubs' facilities. Many of them will catch a flight back to Chicago in the coming days for this weekend's Cubs Convention, then spend a couple of weeks with their families before returning to Arizona for Cactus League action. Chicago's spring training schedule kicks off with a matchup against - you guessed it - the Dodgers on Feb. 20-21.

There will be plenty of spring storylines to keep an eye on this year. For starters, it will be all eyes on new Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker - and the attention will only ratchet up if he and the team can't come to a middle ground on a 2025 salary before it reaches an arbitration hearing next month.

Rookie infielder and top prospect Matt Shaw is projected to be the team's Opening Day - but the club will want to see him play well this spring. Barring any other additions, though, the depth chart is light at the hot corner - and that's putting it mildly.

On the pitching side of things, the rotation features a pair of new looks in left-hander Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea - and the bullpen competitions will be the most intriguing roster battles to watch, as a number of guys with invites to camp look to crack the 26-man roster. Again, you'd like to think there are some more proven commodities in camp, but you never know, especially given how Hoyer likes to build out his bullpens.