Injuries sideline two Cubs pitchers, opening the door for others to secure the final bullpen spot on Opening Day.
The competition for the final bullpen spot ahead of Opening Day just got a bit clearer.
The Chicago Cubs entered the spring looking for one reliever to step up. The team was looking for a pitcher to earn that final bullpen spot and complete the Cubs’ bullpen to begin the 2026 season.
There are already seven relievers locked to make the Opening Day roster. Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Hunter Harvey, Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar, Daniel Palencia, and Colin Rea will all make the roster out of Spring Training.
Although there is only one bullpen spot remaining, there are plenty of relievers who are fighting for that final spot. There are realistically eight to 10 different relievers in contention to earn it, including Gavin Hollowell, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, and Ethan Roberts.
However, some relievers will no longer be a part of that competition.
The Cubs made several roster cuts ahead of Sunday’s Spring Training game. The biggest one was pitcher Jack Neely, who was starting to show his potential on the mound. He allowed zero runs with six strikeouts across three strong innings.
Two more notable pitchers will also not make the Opening Day roster due to injuries. Both Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks will start the season on the injured list.
Manager Craig Counsell told reporters in Arizona that Hodge’s body did not respond well after his most recent Spring Training appearance. He was eventually diagnosed with a right flexor strain and will be shut down from throwing for multiple weeks.
As for Wicks, he has been dealing with a forearm issue since the beginning of the spring. His official diagnosis is a radial nerve irritation in his left forearm. The good news is that he has begun playing catch.
With the latest injuries to both pitchers, neither will make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. That gives pitchers like Assad, Brown, Hollowell, and Roberts all better chances to earn that final bullpen spot.
It’s unfortunate that Hodge will begin the season on the IL. But the right-hander already faced an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster amid more struggles this spring. He allowed seven earned runs in two innings of work.
During his three Spring Training appearances, he had a hard time finding the strike zone. He issued seven walks across the 17 batters he faced. Those walks were a major problem for him last year, and it was hard seeing him make the roster with his high walk rate still present.
Hodge will have to work his way back from his recent flexor strain. He will likely start the year down in Triple-A once he is fully healthy. How he performs in his Triple-A appearances will depend on when he joins the big league club.