Meghan Montemurro

Cactus League report: Rosters are shaping up for the Cubs and Sox — and the World Baseball Classic heats up The Cubs and White Sox are starting to make cuts in spring training camp, whittling down roster sizes before opening day on March 26.

Shelby Miller is eying a September return from Tommy John surgery after meeting with his surgeon. He’s scheduled to start playing catch in about a week.

“I’m really optimistic about getting back this year and contributing.”

www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/09/c...

Porter Hodge has a right flexor strain and will be shut down from throwing for a couple weeks. He felt elbow soreness after his last outing. He’ll be reevaluated in 2 weeks & will open on IL.

Jordan Wicks has nerve irritation in arm/hand & wont get off mound until middle-late March. He’ll go on IL.

Cubs camp cuts:

RHPs Riley Martin and Jack Neely and IFs Ben Cowles and James Triantos have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

IF Pedro Ramírez has been optioned to Double-A Knoxville.

RHPs Grant Kipp, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz and Jaxon Wiggins have been returned to minor league camp.

Chicago Cubs camp notes: Scott Kingery looks to reestablish himself — and Justin Dean eager for big-league role Infielder Scott Kingery doesn’t have a great path to making the Chicago Cubs out of spring training, but he understood that when he signed with the organization.

Infielder Scott Kingery doesn’t have a great path to making the Cubs out of spring training, but he understood that when he signed with the organization in the offseason.

Notes from Cubs camp, via @mmontemurro.bsky.social

How in-season development of younger relievers will be ‘crazy valuable’ for the Chicago Cubs bullpen The Chicago Cubs know they again could have some roster churn among their relievers, so development of options from within the organization will be important in the coming months.

The Cubs know they again could have some roster churn among their relievers, so development of options from within the organization will be important in the coming months.

@mmontemurro.bsky.social reporting from Mesa, Ariz.

Craig Counsell and his son Brady had a cool moment exchanging lineup cards before the game:

Craig Counsell's son Brady, who was drafted in the 10th round by the Diamondbacks last year, is on Arizona's travel roster for today's game against the Cubs.

Counsell joked he will close his eyes and watch the video later to help with nerves if Brady gets an at-bat in today's game.

RHP Kyle Wright looking to recapture his old self with the Chicago Cubs after ‘a crazy couple of years’ With injuries behind him, Kyle Wright’s daily routine is back to normal and he feels closer to the version that produced a 21-win season in 2022.

Kyle Wright hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2023 because of shoulder surgery & subsequent injuries. Finally healthy, Wright believes the Cubs are the right fit to get back to the majors.

“I’m starting to trust my shoulder, trust myself and just pitch. It’s been a crazy couple of years.” trib.al/dreL13S

Who will make the Chicago Cubs’ roster for opening day? There’s bullpen and bench spots up for grabs. There are roster battles in camp that are starting to take shape, giving a little clarity on the Chicago Cubs’ direction for the 26-man roster together ahead of opening day on March 26.

Who will make the Cubs roster for opening day? There are bullpen and bench spots up for grabs.

Here are @mmontemurro.bsky.social's projections.

Chicago Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas is showing off elite bat in impressive camp performance One of the most encouraging parts of Chicago Cubs prospect Jefferson Rojas’ journey is the damage he’s doing offensively, predominantly against pitchers older than him.

Jefferson Rojas’ performance this spring has made him a standout in camp. An advanced hitter who reached Double A for the first time last year, being part of big-league camp and rising through the farm system has an arrival to the majors in the shortstop’s path.

Cactus League report: Cubs’ Alex Bregman slugs 1st spring HR — and Chase Meidroth back in action for White Sox As Chicago Cubs camp experiences 8 players leaving for the World Baseball Classic, Alex Bregman went out with a bang in his last Cactus League game.

Cactus League report from @mmontemurro.bsky.social and @lamondpope.bsky.social:

- Cubs' Alex Bregman slugs 1st spring home run ahead of WBC departure
- White Sox's Chase Meidroth back in the swing after productive offseason
- Week ahead for both teams
- What we're reading this morning

yes, if anything he's probably a little ahead of schedule at the moment. Had the surgery in mid April

They brought in a lot of relievers in the offseason, including NRIs

What do you mean?

Justin Steele is full go after a final check up with Dr. Meister on his left elbow. He will start throwing his curveball in bullpens. Next step will be live batting practice.

Steele is still not expected to be back in Cubs rotation until May/June.

If y’all aren’t following (the award winning!) @juliapoe.bsky.social and @mandophotos.bsky.social you should be.

Dansby Swanson's first home run of the spring -- 2-run shot off Guardians' Logan Allen -- was notably over the right field fence. Going to the opposite field more is something Swanson wants to see more of this year.

Cubs' Edward Cabrera flashed good stuff in an efficient outing, his first of the spring. He tossed two perfect innings, striking out three Guardians.

Kevin Alcántara will play in first Cactus League game Saturday as DH.

He's going to get game action regularly, but Cubs are going to be a little cautious with Alcántara after offseason hernia surgery & recovery. They don't want any setbacks.

Counsell: "We've got plenty of time. He's ready to go."

Chicago Cubs camp notes: Matt Shaw learning on the fly in right field — and Jonathon Long withdraws from WBC The best gauge for Matt Shaw’s readiness in the Chicago Cubs outfield is simply time.

What @mmontemurro.bsky.social heard at Cubs camp:

- Matt Shaw learning on the fly in right field
- Jonathon Long (left elbow sprain) withdraws from the WBC
- Matthew Boyd makes last spring start ahead of WBC

Christian Bethancourt’s visa issue is resolved and he’s in Cubs camp today. He will play in Saturday’s Cactus League game then depart to join Team Panama for the World Baseball Classic.

He’d been working out & playing with his Panama teammates while the visa stuff got worked out so he’s game ready.

‘It leaves you hungry’: Michael Conforto motivated to make the Chicago Cubs — and get back to World Series As he entered free agency for a fourth time, Michael Conforto wanted to be part of a winning team after getting a taste of it in Los Angeles.

Michael Conforto’s 1st WS title evoked mixed feelings. Eager for another, he's betting on himself with Cubs.

“To achieve that dream but also not be on the roster through the playoffs — super bittersweet, super conflicting feeling. ...But it leaves you hungry." www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/c...

‘It leaves you hungry’: Michael Conforto motivated to make the Chicago Cubs — and get back to World Series As he entered free agency for a fourth time, Michael Conforto wanted to be part of a winning team after getting a taste of it in Los Angeles.

‘It leaves you hungry’: Michael Conforto motivated to make the Chicago Cubs, get back to the World Series

Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman participates in media day during spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera participates in media day at spring training at Sloan Park, Feb. 17, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Portraits of Cubs players on photo day at spring training.

📷 @mandophotos.bsky.social

trib.al/MxlDhnE

Shaw called this play part of the learning process in the outfield. Crow-Armstrong couldn't see the fly ball because of the sun and normally it would be his. Shaw said it was a helpful scenario in understanding to always be super aggressive in pursuing a ball in the gap until PCA calls him off.

Matt Shaw can't hold on to fly ball on the run in right-center field that falls & is ruled a double. Little bit of tough play for Shaw as ball was carrying from right to center. Ball hit off his mitt as he went to catch it, looked like he should have made the play

PCA & Shaw had brief chat after it

Mickey Moniak takes Jameson Taillon deep on the first pitch he throws. Baseball underway here in Mesa on a beautiful 83-degree day.

Edward Cabrera will make his first Cubs spring start Friday vs. the Guardians.

Cade Horton will pitch in his first Cactus League action of the spring today while Matthew Boyd gets the start vs. Rockies.

Also slated to pitch for the Cubs today: Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar, Luke Little and Jack Neely.

After an encouraging update yesterday on Long, he’s not progressed as well today, per Counsell, and will have to make a decision soon on whether he will play in the WBC.