Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodón, who signed with the San Francisco Giants this month, is scheduled to pitch against the Sox on Thursday at Camelback Ranch.
The Cubs, meanwhile, haven’t stopped adding pitching depth. Veteran reliever Mychal Givens’ one-year deal became official Wednesday, giving the Cubs another arm to consider for the bullpen.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers Meghan Montemurro and LaMond Pope will provide updates from the Cactus League on Monday through Friday throughout spring training.
Cubs spring training
What we saw
Marcus Stroman had two goals coming into Wednesday’s outing: Come out of it healthy and build up his pitch count. He accomplished both in two-plus innings against the Oakland Athletics. Stroman struck out three, walked two and allowed two runs on three hits. He thought his stuff was good but tried to be too fine with his pitches when he fell behind in counts.
Relievers Rowan Wick and Scott Effross continue to look good early, each tossing a perfect inning. Ian Happ made his spring debut as the designated hitter, continuing his progression as he returns from minor right elbow surgery. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and run scored.
What to watch for in today’s game
at Los Angeles Angels in Tempe, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.
Left-hander Justin Steele gets the start for the Cubs after a strong beginning to his spring the last time out. Steele is preparing for the season as a starter, so expect him to follow the same blueprint as Kyle Hendricks and Stroman by pitching into the third inning (or in Hendricks’ case, throwing extra pitches in the bullpen to get that additional up-down).
First baseman Frank Schwindel hasn’t played since Sunday after exiting with back tightness he felt while on base. Manager David Ross indicated it was a precaution and didn’t sound too concerned about Schwindel’s status.
They said it
“(Kyle) Hendricks is the guy, man. He’s been doing this for a long time. I’ll pitch Day 5, I really don’t care when I pitch. I’m going to be out there hopefully for 30-plus starts and that’s the goal. You need at least five good starters from the top down, so as far as where I’m pitching in the rotation, I’ve never been prideful on that. I truly believe Hendricks should be the opening-day (starter) just because of his career — unbelievable in the playoffs, his resume speaks for itself — so he’s the guy who should be handed the ball each and every opening day as long as he’s here.”
— Marcus Stroman on the Cubs’ potential rotation order
Don’t miss
Right-hander Mychal Givens was officially added to the 40-man roster after signing a one-year major-league deal with a mutual option for 2023. The Cubs designated infielder Sergio Alcántara to open a 40-man roster spot. In seven big-league seasons, Givens, 31, has been a solid reliever, particularly in the back end of the bullpen, with a career 3.41 ERA and 131 ERA+.
However, Ross isn’t ready to declare how he might use Givens.
“The label thing is just not my area,” Ross said. “I’m not real comfortable with putting guys in roles before I even get to see him pitch. Obviously a guy that has done really good things in the major leagues the last few years, and we’re happy to have him.”
Ross is positioned to have a variety of bullpen options when the opening-day roster is constructed. Givens is the ninth pitcher the Cubs have acquired since the start of camp, including four non-roster invitees.
White Sox spring training
What we saw
The ball was jumping out of Surprise Stadium.
Sox starter Lance Lynn surrendered back-to-back home runs to Corey Seager and Mitch Garver in the first inning Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.
Garver hit another solo home run in the third off Lynn, who allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts in 2? innings.
“A couple of mistakes, but the pitches I’ve been working on were there for the most part,” Lynn said.
The Sox showed some power too. Romy Gonzalez hit a solo home run in the third.
What to watch for in today’s game
vs. San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch, 3:05 p.m.
The Sox will get a look at former teammate Carlos Rodón, who is scheduled to start for the Giants. Rodón went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts for the Sox last season and made his first All-Star team.
Rodón signed a two-year, $44 million deal with the Giants on March 14. The contract includes an opt-out after the 2022 season if Rodón pitches 110 innings.
Reynaldo López, José Ruiz, Ryan Burr and Aaron Bummer are among the Sox scheduled to pitch.
They said it
“We obviously have a long history with Lucas. This is not a reflection, in our opinion, of anything to do specifically with him. This is a function of the arbitration process.”
— Sox GM Rick Hahn on not coming to terms on a deal with Lucas Giolito
Don’t miss
Giolito and Dallas Keuchel both said Lynn is worthy of starting opening day April 8 in Detroit.
“Considering how Lance pitched last year, I think he’s more than deserving,” Giolito said Tuesday.
La Russa isn’t ready to name the starter but did say Lynn and Giolito are in the running.
“It reminds me a lot like when we had (Chris) Carpenter and (Adam) Wainwright (with the St. Louis Cardinals),” La Russa said Wednesday. “Having nobody is a real problem, having one guy is good, having two guys is real good. They both have indicated, make your call and we’ll pitch when we’re ready to pitch.”
Giolito started opening day last season, his second straight time getting the nod. Lynn started the home opener, going the distance against the Kansas City Royals.
Lynn finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting last season, and Giolito tied for 11th.
