(670 The Score) The Cubs optioned 23-year-old second baseman Nico Hoerner to Triple-A Iowa to open the season despite his strong play this spring, they announced Saturday.
In doing so, manager David Ross also announced that David Bote will be the team's primary second baseman.
"It comes down to who is deserving of the opportunity to play there," Ross said. "We talked it to death and talked it back and forth. Because of who we feel Nico is and the future he has, his work looks so real, but it's David Bote's turn. I think David had been hearing the message a long time that it's someone else's turn. So now David gets an opportunity. I am excited for David Bote as my heart hurts for Nico Hoerner."
Hoerner's demotion means that veteran infielder Eric Sogard is in line to make the Opening Day roster as well and play a role. Sogard had joined the team on a minor league contract.
Hoerner had a strong spring and was a Gold Glove finalist in 2020, which made his trip to the minor leagues to open the season somewhat surprising. He hit .361 with a 1.039 OPS in 14 games in Cactus League play. Service time considerations were a central factor in the Cubs optioning him to the minor leagues, ESPN reported. If Hoerner spends 36 or more days in the minor leagues, the Cubs will have an extra year of contract control of him.
Hoerner, 23, struggled at the plate in 2020, hitting .222 with a .571 OPS in 48 games. Bote, 27, hit .200 with a .711 OPS last season. He has more power than Hoerner and also had a superb spring, hitting .316 with a 1.065 OPS in 16 games.
"I don't mean to sound like this decision is something I solely made," Ross said. "You take the input of the coaches and the front office. You watch the work of the players and we talked about it all spring. These are tough decisions. This was a tough decision because of how great everybody has played (at second base)."
In other moves, the Cubs optioned reliever Brad Wieck to Triple-A Iowa and assigned right-hander Shelby Miller, right-hander Trevor Megill, reliever Pedro Strop and outfielder Rafael Ortega to minor league camp. The Cubs also granted outfielder Cameron Maybin his release.
