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The Chicago Cubs are set to travel to Japan on Tuesday in anticipation of their Opening Day game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18 and March 19.
There is a unique set of roster rules for the Cubs and Dodgers, as beyond the traditional 26-man roster, the Cubs will have a five-player taxi squad in the event of an injury. Given that the Cubs resume Spring Training play for one more week following their games against the Dodgers in Japan, there may be a lean toward the team using players already on their 40-man roster to fill the roster spots. For example, that would be the reason why Nicky Lopez is now seeking opportunities elsewhere after being informed he wasn't traveling with the team.
That also could be the determining factor in the decision with top prospect Matt Shaw. Shaw is expected to be the Cubs' starting third baseman for the majority of the regular season, but the trend seems to be that he will not be traveling with the team to Japan. The latest report from Patrick Mooney indicates that the Cubs have all but confirmed that Shaw will not travel with the team to Japan. Instead, Mooney reports that fellow top prospect, Kevin Alcantara will be a part of the initial Opening Day roster.
Kevin Alcantara may have the nod over Matt Shaw for the Cubs' Opening Day roster
Beyond the fact that Alcantara is already on the 40-man roster, Mooney points out that an injury to Pete Crow-Armstrong could also be why the Cubs favor the outfield prospect being on the roster.
Even if Alcantara is indeed on the Cubs' Opening Day roster for the games against the Dodgers, chances are that would change ahead of their stateside Opening Day against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27. Shaw will likely be on the roster for those games as the Cubs will likely also have decided between Gage Workman and Vidal Bruján for the final spot on the bench.
During the Cubs' Cactus League play this spring, Alcantra has 7 hits through 27 plate appearances, 4 RBI, and a stolen base.