The Cubs the Rockies and Royals today – yes, it’s the first split squad day of the year.
The Royals will come to Sloan to take on a chunk of the Cubs, with Jason Hammel making his Spring Training debut. The other chunk of the Cubs will head out to take on the Rockies, with new Cub Aaron Brooks getting the start.
Neither game is televised today, but the audio for each game should be available at MLB.com (if you’re logged into your MLB.com account) or on the At Bat app.
Javy Baez gets another start in center field (with Albert Almora in left field, so clearly the intent is to keep working Baez in center). The first attempt didn’t go too smoothly, but the whole point here is to get him in-game experience.
Kyle Schwarber starts behind the plate in the game started by Hammel, which may mean nothing, but Hammel is a guy whom Schwarber could catch during the regular season, at least periodically.
Lineup versus Royals:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, C
- Javy Baez, CF
- Shane Victorino, RF
- Tommy La Stella, 3B
- Albert Almora, LF
- Dan Vogelbach, DH
- Kristopher Negron, 1B
Lineup versus Rockies:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Jorge Soler, LF
- Miguel Montero, C
- Taylor Davis, DH
- Arismendy Alcantara, 2B
- Munenori Kawasaki, SS