Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon just met with the media, and it looks like he was very forthcoming.
First, the rotation and bullpen are set:
Maddon says rotation order entering season: Lester, Arrieta, Hammel, Wood, Hendricks.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) April 3, 2015
#Cubs rotation is set. It's Lester Arrieta Hammel Wood Hendricks. Jackson to the pen
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 4, 2015
No surprises there, as Wood inspires just a little more confidence in the rotation (and provides more offensive/defensive value) than Jackson. With Wood in the rotation (kind of wish he was going third at home, rather than at Coors Field, what with his fly ball tendencies, but whateves) and Drake Britton sent to Iowa, that leaves Jackson as the final arm in the seven-man pen: Jackson, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Neil Ramirez, Jason Motte, Justin Grimm, and Phil Coke.
As for who will be catching the pitchers:
Maddon still hasn't told the catchers who's starting Sunday so won't announce publicly yet but he did say Ross is not JL personal catcher
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 3, 2015
Maddon added that Lester (who returned to Chicago) won't have a personal catcher. Ross still seems destined to start Sunday.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) April 4, 2015
So, there’s a chance we may see more of a L/R platoon situation. But, as Gonzales indicates, it just feels like David Ross will be catching Lester in that first start. From there, maybe they start platooning, but sometimes pitchers get comfortable with certain catchers. We’ll see.
As for the positional portion of the roster:
#Cubs Denorfia still testing hamstring but will likely be on DL
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) April 4, 2015
No word on final roster spots between Szczur, Sweeney and Herrera. 2 for 3. Tomorrow or even Sunday on that one
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 4, 2015
The only reason to wait at this point is because of the potential for external roster shuffling. Players are going on and off of waivers right now behind the scenes, so that could be part of the impact, or the Cubs could be seeing what’s out there for Sweeney. If so, that would suggest, absent a trade, that he’s got the inside track on a roster spot. There’s also still the slim possibility that Welington Castillo is dealt, which would put all three of those guys on the roster.
There's a chance Lester could bat 8th Sunday. Soler possibly 2nd.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) April 4, 2015
EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Yes. Do that. Want.