MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) – As the Cubs’ regular-season opener looms April 7, only the first two rotation spots are secured as the team maps out the order of its staff to start the year.
“It's like a jigsaw puzzle you break out every Christmas,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told reporters. “There are pieces missing, and you're trying to find them on the floor.”
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks and right-hander Marcus Stroman are on track to start the first two games of the season in some order. Hendricks will likely be tabbed the Opening Day starter once manager David Ross gets around to revealing his choice to the media.
Beyond that, there’s still plenty to sort out. Left-hander Wade Miley, acquired off waivers from the Reds in the offseason, will fill a rotation spot eventually but has started slowly this spring due to neck issues near his clavicle. Miley threw 17 pitches Sunday, and he won’t have built his workload up enough to fill a rotation spot without taxing the bullpen in the first series of the season.
“We are in the process of figuring out if we will do another live side or go into a game,” Miley said Tuesday. "I would like to get in one game, but I am not sure yet. I am progressing well and just trying to get my arm strength built up. I just need to be able to go deeper into a game so I am not a threat to the bullpen the day I pitch.”
Miley is mindful of not rushing his process as he builds up his arm strength, knowing that it’s more important to be durable for the entire season than ready for the first series. Miley had a 3.37 ERA in 163 innings across 28 starts in 2021.
“Every game is important, but our goal is for me to be there for the long haul,” Miley said. “I want to be there in September. It's important to get ready soon, but in the grand scheme of things, I want to be able to make 30 starts. Rushing into the first start isn't going to help that.”
Right-hander Alec Mills, right-hander Keegan Thompson, left-hander Justin Steele and left-hander Drew Smyly are in the mix to start behind Hendricks and Stroman. Smyly will escalate his throwing program, he said Tuesday, and is set to make another start Wednesday. Smyly will have a starting role to begin the season, Ross confirmed.
The Cubs plan to piggy-back starters in some fashion, tasking a pair of pitchers with going three or so innings apiece in the same game.
"We will be looking at piggy-backing situation if we know a starter will only be able to go three innings and not stretched out to four or five,” Ross said. “We might want to circle a guy back on three or four days rest. Righty/lefty would help when we do that. We did that with (Adbert Alzolay) last year after Justin Steele would start. Really, right now it's about who can give us what.
“The priority is to keep guys healthy. Versatility and flexibility will be very important. We have a lot of guys coming off of injuries on our team as well. Keeping them as fresh as possible is the priority here.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.