For much of camp, the fifth spot in the starting rotation was up for grabs. With the injury to veteran Jameson Taillon, the Chicago Cubs were forced to go to their young pitching well for the short term.
As ace Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, and Shota Imanaga headline the rotation, the Cubs are looking to young and familiar faces for help at the perfect time.
Manager Craig Counsell has announced that Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad will fill out the backend of the rotation. Drew Smyly will be looked at as a solid lefty presence out of the bullpen with the ability to start if called upon.
Cubs rotation to start the season, per Craig Counsell:
Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks & Javier Assad. (Not necessarily in that order)
Drew Smyly will start in the bullpen — but Counsell said he’ll make starts this year
Wesneski still in bullpen mix
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) March 21, 2024
Both Wicks and Assad have been solid contributors that the team has been able to lean on in times of doubt. By adding both of them as starters this season, the Cubs can present a nice balance of left and right-handed arms if they so choose to.
Jordan Wicks appears ready to take the next step in his development. His 2.60 ERA in spring training is hopefully a sign of what is to come for the young left-hander. If he can develop his game properly, the Cubs have a legitimate starter for this season and beyond.
Even though his spring numbers have been rocky, Assad’s last two seasons of production definitely deserve to be rewarded. The 26-year-old will look to put his best foot forward as the Cubs will be without a pitcher in their normal rotation lineup.
By having Hayden Wesneski in the wings as a potential member of the bullpen, the Cubs will have no shortage of experienced starters to look to.
The Cubs are in good hands to weather the storm on injuries to its pitching. With the Rangers’ recent signing of Michael Lorenzen, who the Cubs were rumored to have an interest in, it further shows the level of confidence that the front office has in what it has built from the ground up.
