NEWSLETTER
The big decisions all got made earlier in the week, so we already more or less knew the 26-man roster the Chicago Cubs would go with to open the 2023 season.
The last lingering question was that final bullpen spot, and it’s going to Mark Leiter, Jr. That means the Cubs will open with eight righties in the bullpen, and not a single lefty. Figure it has to have been a while since the Cubs opened a season without a single lefty in the bullpen. But Leiter has strong reverse splits thanks to his splitter, and he owned lefties in a relief role last year. He could opt out of his minor league deal if the Cubs didn’t add him to the roster today, so I’m glad the Cubs did.
The full Opening Day roster, which nominally includes just two “outfielders” …
Starting Pitchers
Marcus Stroman
Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Drew Smyly
Hayden Wesneski
Relievers
Michael Fulmer
Brad Boxberger
Adbert Alzolay
Keegan Thompson
Javier Assad
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
Mark Leiter, Jr.
Catchers
Yan Gomes
Tucker Barnhart
Luis Torrens
Infielders
Eric Hosmer
Trey Mancini
Nico Hoerner
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom
Miles Mastrobuoni
Nick Madrigal
Edwin Rios
Outfielders
Ian Happ
Cody Bellinger
