Cubs drop lineup filled with familiar faces ahead of Spring Training rematch vs. Dodgers

Following their Cactus League opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, the Chicago Cubs will play the Dodgers once more on Friday afternoon. This time, the Cubs will be hosting the Dodgers at Sloan Park.

While the Dodgers used Thursday's game to serve as the Spring Training debut for their star-filled lineup, the only Cubs' starting position player that appeared in the victory over Los Angeles was first baseman Michael Busch.

Thursday's game against the Dodgers was a showcase of the young talent the Cubs have throughout their farm system. However, in one case, Gage Workman made an early case to be the last spot on the Cubs' Major League bench. Workman had the Cubs' first home run of Spring Training in a game that also saw the team successfully use the ABS Challenge system for the first time.

For Friday's game. it will serve as the Spring Training for most of the Cubs' starting position players.

Cubs release spring training lineup that has most of their starting position player.

Notably absent from the Cubs' starting lineup on Friday are second baseman Nico Hoerner, third baseman Matt Shaw, and right fielder Kyle Tucker. In the case of Hoerner and Shaw, both starting infielders are working their way through an injury. Hoerner remains on the mend after undergoing offseason elbow surgery while Shaw suffered an oblique injury last week. In Shaw's absence, veteran Jon Berti is serving as the third baseman. Berti will likely be the backup to Shaw at third base during the regular season.

After an offseason that saw controversy with Seiya Suzuki having reservations about being the team's designated hitter, his 2025 Spring Training debut will see him play right field. On days when Tucker isn't in the lineup, like today, it would be a safe bet to see Suzuki man right field.

Jordan Wicks is on the mound for the Cubs as he fights for the final spot in the team's rotation. Javier Assad likely has the inside track toward the fifth spot in the rotation but with Assad dealing with an oblique injury, Wicks could make his case with a strong Spring Training debut.