The biggest question: Who’s going to be in the bullpen?"o Cubs recapsChicago Cubs minor leaguesChicago Cubs essaysChicago Cubs game threadsWrigley Field renovationsFull archiveLibrary Bleed Cubbie Blue Community GuidelinesCurrent time in ChicagoBCB Specials & Site InfoWinter 2019 music threadsCubs StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Cubs newsYahoo Cubs team pageYahoo Cubs reportYahoo Cubs depth chartYahoo Cubs transactionsYahoo Cubs photosOdds Shop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁旵hicago Cubs essaysChicago Cubs spring trainingAn updated look at the Cubs’ Opening Day 25-man rosterNew http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey ,61commentsThe biggest question: Who’s going to be in the bullpen?CDTShareTweetShareShareAn updated look at the Cubs’ Opening Day 25-man rosterRick Scuteri-USA TODAY SportsThe 2019 regular season opens just 10 days from today. The Cubs will be in Arlington, Texas to take on the Rangers.Some of the spots on the Opening Day roster are locks. It seemed when camp opened that almost all 25 would be, but now there are some questions. Those questions particularly pertain to the bullpen, and mostly due to injuries.Let’s take another look at who will be the 25 players in the Cubs dugout on March 28. These are my personal best guesses.Pitchers (13)Starters: Jon Lester, Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Kyle Hendricks, Jose QuintanaRelievers: Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr., Mike Montgomery, Steve Cishek, Tyler Chatwood Brandon Belt Jersey , Brian Duensing, Brandon Kintzler, Dillon MaplesSome of the relief decisions have been made easier by injuries. Tony Barnette, Brad Brach and Xavier Cedeno will all begin the year on the injured list, for various reasons. Brach and Cedeno would certainly have been on the active roster if not for illness (Brach) and injury (Cedeno, who hasn’t pitched at all this spring). Barnette would have had a strong case, but he too is injured.That speaks to the Cubs’ depth. Duensing and Kintzler haven’t had great springs, but they are both under contract and so, at least to begin the year, they’ll be in the pen. Maybe it will work.Catchers (2)Willson Contreras, Victor CaratiniThe Cubs looked around for a veteran backup to Contreras but were unable to sign or trade for one. It might be that they’ll look around again before the new single trade deadline of July 31. Alex Avila, who did a good job for the Cubs for two months in 2017 http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , might be available again (caveat: he did not have a good year in 2018).Infielders (6)Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Daniel Descalso, David BoteDescalso appears headed back to being healthy enough to play Opening Day:Here are some thoughts on his new team and the season from Descalso on Saturday:Descalso mentioned that “most” of the guys in the current clubhouse were on the 2016 Cubs World Series championship team. There are just 13 players remaining from that team who will be on the 2019 Cubs active roster — Edwards, Hendricks, Lester, Montgomery, Strop, Contreras, Rizzo http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , Baez, Zobrist, Bryant, Almora, Schwarber and Heyward.Bote is likely staying until Addison Russell returns from his suspension. Russell will first be eligible (barring rainouts) for the May 3 game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.Outfielders (4)Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora Jr., Ian Happ, Jason HeywardNo surprises here. Between the four players here, there will be enough playing time to give sufficient rest.And barring any injury or deal made by the Cubs over the next 10 days, I think those are the 25 men you’ll see open the 2019 regular season for the team. David Price returned to the mound on Tuesday. Plus, potential answers for the bullpen from inside and outside the organization."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Red Sox StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Red Sox NewsYahoo Red Sox Team PageYahoo Red Sox ReportYahoo Red Sox Depth ChartYahoo Red Sox TransactionsYahoo Red Sox PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub 鉁昍ed Sox Daily LinksDaily Red Sox Links: David Price, Durbin Feltman Mark Melancon Jersey , Mychal GivensDavid Price returned to the mound on Tuesday. Plus, potential answers for the bullpen from inside and outside the organization. EDTShareTweetShareShareDaily Red Sox Links: David Price, Durbin Feltman, Mychal GivensJasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsDavid Price is pitching again. He struck out four batters in three innings during his spring debut, but also allowed two runs and a pair of walks. (Ian Browne; MLB.com)After waiting all winter, Price was happy to walk back onto the mound. (Justin Leger; NBC Sports Boston)Price changed his playoff narrative last season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t focused on being at his best in 2019. (Christopher Smith; MassLive)Durbin Feltman has the chance to be an important part of the bullpen at some point. (Rob Bradford; WEEI)The Red Sox play more than baseball, especially in the clubhouse. (Jen McCaffrey; The Athletic) ($$)Following roster cuts, there are some indications about how the Red Sox will look on Opening Day. (Rob Bradford; WEEI)It might just be a hypothetical, but trading for Mychal Givens could really improve Boston’s bullpen. (Dan Szymborski; Fangraphs)
