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The Chicago Cubs continue to map out their Opening Day roster with the team set to start the regular season next Thursday against the Texas Rangers.
Craig Counsell revealed on Thursday that the Cubs' starting rotation to open the season will be Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks, and Javier Assad. Notably, the rotation does not include Jameson Taillon, who has been sidelined for most of Spring Training with a back injury.
Counsell is holding out hope to have Taillon back in the rotation by mid-April.
Cubs updates:
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 22, 2024
*Patrick Wisdom (back) will start season on IL, hope it’s a short stint
*Nick Madrigal (hamstring) a close call on whether he will need to go on IL to start season. Likely will get in minor-league game Sunday
*Jameson Taillon (back) earliest return is mid April
The assumption is that Taillon will open the season on the 15-day IL. Hayden Wesneski may be the arm to keep in mind as the replacement for Taillon on the Opening Day roster. Wesneski could open the season in the bullpen and then be optioned to Triple-A to resume work as a starting pitcher once Taillon is healthy.
The impact of Patrick Wisdom missing the start of the Chicago Cubs season.
Wisdom opening the season on the IL shouldn't be a complete surprise considering the last update the Cubs provided.
Wisdom is an interesting spot with the Cubs' roster considering the inclusion of Garrett Cooper and Dominic Smith in Spring Training.
It's worth noting that Friday was the deadline for Cooper to inform the Cubs of his intention to opt out of his minor-league deal ahead of Opening Day. The Cubs would have had until Sunday to either trade/release Cooper or add him to the 40-man roster had he informed the team of his intent to opt-out.
While Cooper did not out of his minor-league deal with the Cubs, Smith did.
Will see some opt outs this weekend around MLB, including Dom Smith of the Cubs, according to a source. Was brought in before they re-signed Bellinger (or signed Garrett Cooper). Had a good spring, going 9 for 26 with 2 doubles and a HR.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 22, 2024
Smith opting out of his deal with the Cubs is a likely sign that Cooper will indeed be on the Opening Day roster for the Cubs.