The Cubs split a series with the Marlins and greet the Astros at Wrigley, now with a 13-9 record. The Astros have struggled to a 7-16 record to start the season and the second worst team ERA in the majors, leading only the Rockies. Their offense remains potent and the Astros roster is still worthy of caution. See below for daily matchups as the Cubs finish up their homestand with three games against the 'Stros. 

Alfonsin Rosario singled in the 1st, belted a two-run HR onto the LF berm in the 4th, and blasted a solo HR onto the LF berm in the 6th, Adan Sanchez smacked a two-run HR onto the LF berm in the 2nd, Bradlee Beesley singled, doubled, stole two bases, and scored two runs, Anderson Suriel smoked a double and scored, stroked an RBI single, and stole a base, and Miguel Pabon drilled an RBI single and scored a run, leading the Cubs to an 8-5 victory over the Diamondbacks in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game played Monday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ. 

4/21 UPDATE:

RHP Gabriel Agrazal has been moved up to Lo-A Myrtle Beach. 

see UPDATED EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER below

 

4/19 UPDATE: 

RHP Brody McCullough (post-2023 knee surgery) has completed his rehab at Extended Spring Training and has been moved-up to Hi-A South Bend. 

 

4/21 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed second-contract free-agent LHP Mitchell Tyranski (ex-LAD) to a minor league contract. 

 

4/18 UPDATE: 

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Julio Teheran to a 2024 minor league contract. 

Because he has Article XIX-A rights (meaning he has accrued at least five years of MLB Service Time), Teheran cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent if he is added to the 40 at some point in 2024.  
 

Joseph Rodriguez walked with the bases loaded to force-in the winning run, as the Athletics took advantage of ten walks to edge the Cubs 7-6 in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game played Friday afternoon on Field # 4 at the Lew Wolf Training Complex at Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ.   

The game was pre-planned as a five-inning contest, as both teams had only a limited number of pitchers available to cover the innings.  

Here is the abridged box score from the game (Cubs players only):  

CUBS LINEUP:

German Ortiz belted a two-run double, Carlos Gonzalez drilled a two-run single, and SP Steven Echavarria (A's 2023 3rd round pick and #2 pitching prospect) tossed five innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits and no walks, striking out eight, and retiring the last eleven men he faced in a row, leading the Athletics to a 6-3 victory over the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Thursday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.  

The Cubs managed another series win in Arizona and return home for with an 11-7 record. Recent roster shuffling is likely to continue with Jameson Taillon returning and Patrick Wisdom likely to become available. See below for daily match ups in the four-game series versus the Marlins. 

Demetrio Crisantes laced a triple and two RBI singles, reached base on an HBP, and scored two runs, Adrian Rodriguez hammered an RBI triple and a double, reached base on an HBP, and scored three runs, Jean Walters tripled, reached base on an HBP, and scored two runs, Channy Ortiz smashed a solo HR over the RF bullpen, singled, and walked, and SP Josh Green and four relievers combined on a three-hitter, leading the Diamondbacks to a 9-2 victory over the Cubs in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action Tuesday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.   

Jose Escobar (opposite-field line-drive), Alfonsin Rosario (light-tower moonshot), and Bradlee Beesley (hard-contact blast) belted solo home runs, Anderson Suriel doubled, walked and scored two runs, and Adan Sanchez drilled an RBI single, reached base on an HBP, and walked for the Cubs, and Juan Castillo smacked a two-run double and Franklin Lopez laced a two-run triple for the Rockies, as the two teams played to a 6-6 tie in a Cactus League Extended Spring Training game played Monday afternoon on Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

By holding on to their 3-2 lead Sunday afternoon, the Cubs collected their first road series win of the season and improved to 9-6 on the season. Michael Busch "drives the bus" to Arizona next, where he'll have a chance to continue his current four-game homerun streak against the 8-8 Diamondbacks. See below for matchups.