MESA, Ariz. -- The World Series favorites will be on the field Thursday for the first time in 2016 when the Chicago Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers in their Cactus League opener.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon will field five starters plus Javier Baez and Tommy La Stella, with Travis Wood on the mound. Baez will start in center field for the first time in his professional career after learning the position this winter, creating more versatility in his game. It could lead to more playing time.
“I’m excited,” Baez said of playing center. “I’ve always liked it.”
Maddon believes Baez is one of the team’s better instinctual players and he'll be put to the test this season, when the former first-round draft pick is asked to play all over the diamond. He’s even been declared the backup at first base behind Anthony Rizzo. He’s also the main backup at every other infield position. Even with Dexter Fowler on the team there’s a chance Baez will be needed in center, so getting reps out there is important.
“That’s all I need,” Baez said. “I used to play out there in high school. Shortstop is the hardest position. I’m looking forward to it.”
Relievers who start: The Cubs are loaded with former starters turned relief pitchers who will get a chance to perform their old jobs this spring. The team wants them ready in case they’re needed in the rotation, so Wood, Trevor Cahill, Adam Warren and Clayton Richard will all start games.
“A lot of us are going into it preparing as starters,” Richard said.
The feeling is it’s easier to make the transition to the bullpen if you’ve been starting all spring. Richard knows he’s behind others for a rotation spot but wants to be ready.
“It gives you a better baseline to work from,” he said. “You may not be able to go right into a seven-inning start but it’s easier to bounce back to a longer outing if you’re starting some games now.”
Like the other former starters, Richard wouldn’t mind getting that job back. But he says he feels more comfortable than he has in years, and that’s partly from the success he had last season in the bullpen.
“You’re not thinking of setting up a batter for the next time you face him,” Richard explained. “I learned a lot last year.”
Russell drawing praise: Batting practice should always be taken with a grain of salt, but high praise is coming in for shortstop Addison Russell. He continues to impress his manager in particular.
“Power,” Maddon said. “I didn’t know he had that kind of power. I’ve been watching him in batting practice here. He’s really strong.”
Russell has been crushing balls all spring, providing that sound off the bat normally reserved for sluggers like Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant.
“He has real power,” Maddon said. “Did not know that going into the whole thing.”
Russell hit 13 home runs to go along with 29 doubles last season, his first in the big leagues. He’s still getting stronger -- Maddon thinks he’s already in better shape than last year -- so a jump to 20 home runs isn’t impossible. Not bad for what could be the Cubs' No. 9 hitter.
Szczur down: Outfielder Matt Szczur is suffering from a slight oblique strain and will sit out baseball activities until sometime next week. He joins pitcher Zac Rosscup and infielder Christian Villanueva on the shelf.
