3 players who won't make Chicago Cubs' Opening Day roster

Cactus League play opened on Friday for the Chicago Cubs as the team cruised to victory over the Chicago White Sox after opening the game with six runs in the first inning.

The starting lineup for the game was not completely reflective of what the starting lineup will be on Opening Day as shortstop Dansby Swanson, right fielder Seiya Suzuki, and second baseman Nico Hoerner did not play.

It was a game where the Cubs' future was on display as center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, infielder Matt Shaw, right fielder Alexander Canario, and shortstop Luis Vazquez were all a part of the starting nine for the team on Friday.

Friday was a reminder that the players that Cubs fans will see frequently during Spring Training games over the next month likely will not be on the Major League roster on Opening Day.

Cubs that won't be on the Opening Day roster: Miles Mastrobuoni

Mastrobuoni was a favorite of former manager David Ross last season as the utility infielder received an Opening Day start in right field and that was the first of many times where Ross erred in placing his confidence in the fringe Major League player.

With Christopher Morel now getting a run at being the everyday third baseman, Mastrobuoni's value on the Cubs' Opening Day roster has diminished. Mastrobuoni had 1 home run in 149 plate appearances last season and for a Cubs' roster that lacks power, priority may be given to Dominic Smith and David Peralta in terms of securing spots on the bench.

2. Hayden Wesneski

Cubs manager Craig Counsell is an admitted fan of pitcher Hayden Wesneski but the issue is that the former top pitching prospect had a season's worth of development wasted by David Ross last season.

Wesneski opened the 2023 season as the Cubs' fifth starter but struggles led to a demotion to a Triple-A Iowa a month into the season. Injuries and poor performance led to Ross turning to Wesneski as a potential solution in the bullpen but there was no sense of direction given.

The biggest thing that the Cubs can do for Wesneski is determine whether his future with the team will be as a member of the starting rotation or the bullpen. Given Counsell's confidence in Wesneski, a return to the rotation should not be out of the question. If that's the case, the best thing the Cubs can do is stash Wesneski at Triple-A as he regains his form as a starting pitcher.