Latest injury may alter Chicago Cubs Opening Day roster projection

With Opening Day one week away for the Chicago Cubs, projections for the Opening Day roster are beginning to hold more merit.

The starting positions are just about set for the Cubs but there will be a decision with the spots on the bench. With Nick Madrigal trending toward opening the season on IL, the belief was that Patrick Wisdom would remain on the roster along with one of the non-roster veterans in Garrett Cooper or Dominic Smith.

Wisdom has been dealing with a back injury for most of Spring Training but there hadn't been a fear that the slugging corner infielder would miss the start of the season. That was until Craig Counsell provided an update on Tuesday.

Patrick Wisdom's injury may alter the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day roster plans.

Given the additions of Cooper and Smith, there had been a sense that Wisdom's roster spot may be in jeopardy. Cooper has impressed during Spring Training and given his similar offensive profile to Wisdom but better fielding at first base, the former All-Star had been considered by many to remain with the Cubs past Spring Training.

If Wisdom is forced to miss time at the start of the season, that would all but confirm Cooper's inclusion.

The interesting part becomes, assuming Wisdom and Cooper, were going to make the Opening Day roster, who would take Wisdom's spot?

While Smith may be a name that immediately comes to mind, he likely isn't an option in a scenario where Cooper is also on the Major League roster. Neither veteran is currently on the 40-man roster, assuming a spot open once Caleb Kilian is placed on the 60-day IL, which would create an opening for Cooper. Short of a trade or an unexpected player being designated for assignment, it would seem that the Cubs would likely replace Wisdom with someone already on the 40-man roster. Alexander Canario would be the player to monitor.

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