LATEST NEWS

March 12: RHP Jameson Taillon (lower back tightness) likely to begin season on injured list
While imaging revealed nothing alarming about Taillon’s back issue, Cubs manager Craig Counsell did note that the veteran pitcher was likely to begin the season on the injured list. Taillon was slated to play “very light” catch on Tuesday, but still needs to ramp up to a throwing program again.

“Stiff lower back is still the diagnosis,” Counsell said. “I think it is fair to say that Opening Day is unlikely in terms of getting him ready, just because of the missing the prep and the build-up. So, I think as we get him back on the field, that lets us kind of figure out a timetable.”

Counsell added that it will be easier to map out a calendar for Taillon’s return once he builds back up to throwing a bullpen session with no lingering issues.

Taillon’s back “locked up on him” while the pitcher was warming up ahead of his planned Cactus League debut on Saturday. To that point, the righty had been building up through bullpens, live BP sessions and simulated games over the past few weeks.

March 9: Cubs trim roster by three players
Right-handers Chris Clarke and Sam McWilliams, along with lefty Brad Wieck, were reassigned to Minor League camp on Saturday. All three pitchers were in MLB camp with the Cubs as non-roster invitees. Chicago’s Major League group is now at 47 players.

March 8: OF prospects Pete Crow-Armstrong, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara among Cubs’ roster reductions
Chicago trimmed its big league camp roster by 12 players, leaving 50 players on the MLB side for the Cubs with roughly three weeks remaining. Here is a breakdown of the moves:

• Optioned to Triple-A Iowa: RHP Ben Brown (No. 11 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs), INF Luis Vazquez (No. 20), OF Crow-Armstrong (No. 1) and OF Brennen Davis.
• Optioned to Double-A Tennessee: RHP Michael Arias (No. 14), RHP Porter Hodge (No. 29) and OF Alcántara (No. 6).
• Reassigned to Minor League camp: RHP Ethan Roberts, RHP Riley Thompson, C Pablo Aliendo (No. 23), INF Matt Shaw (No. 5) and OF Caissie (No. 3).

INJURY UPDATES

RHP Jameson Taillon (lower back tightness)
Expected return: Early April
Imaging on Taillon’s back did not reveal anything alarming, per Cubs manager Craig Counsell on March 12. Even so, Counsell reiterated that the pitcher was likely headed for a stint on the injured list to open the season. Taillon was slated to play “very light” catch on March 12 and Counsell said it would be easier to begin mapping out a comeback for the righty once he builds back to throwing a bullpen session with no issues. Taillon was scratched from his planned start on March 9 after his back “locked up on him” during his warmup routine. (Last updated: March 12)

OF Ian Happ (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late March
Happ took some at-bats in a Minor League game on March 9, continuing to build up his volume of baseball activity. Happ came away with a mild left hamstring strain in his last game on Feb. 29, but has expressed optimism about having ample time to get ready for Opening Day.

“It’s going to be a slow process,” Happ said on March 6. “It’s Spring Training. I’m not gonna push anything, but it’s feeling good. I’ve been doing a lot of work in the weight room, training room. It’s good to be back on the field taking swings.” (Last updated: March 9)

INF Nick Madrigal (right hamstring)
Expected return: Mid-to-late March
Madrigal exited the Cubs’ March 4 game against the Padres after one at-bat and an MRI exam showed a mild hamstring strain. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on March 7 that Madrigal would spend the next week rehabbing and building back up, adding that the team was “optimistic” the setback was not serious. Madrigal, who has dealt with a variety of leg issues in the past few seasons, projects as a member of the bench as a part-timer for third base and second base.

“Today, it’s important to remember it’s March 7,” Counsell said. “That’s what I told Nick: ‘It’s March 7, Nick, and you do have a history here. So, let’s be smart.'” (Last updated: March 7)

RHP Caleb Kilian (right shoulder)
Expected return: July
Kilian left his March 5 start against the Royals in the third inning and an MRI exam revealed a strain of the teres major in his throwing shoulder. The 26-year-old pitching prospect — acquired from the Giants as part of the Kris Bryant trade in 2021 — is unlikely to return to game action until July, per manager Craig Counsell. The righty had a 1.50 ERA in three Cactus League outings this spring. In ’23, Kilian made three appearances for the Cubs and went 8-3 with a 4.56 ERA in 120 1/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa.

“Caleb was off to a great start,” Counsell said on March 7. “Talking to him, he should be very confident of where he was. And that should really help him over the next couple months here and motivate him. He should be really excited about how he was throwing the baseball. There was a lot to like, and he certainly got my attention, I know that. (Last updated: March 7)

OF Brennen Davis (concussion)
Expected return: Day to day
The Cubs’ 24-year-old prospect was hit in the helmet by a pitch in Chicago’s Feb. 27 game against the Reds and underwent concussion protocol. March 4 marked the first day Davis resumed “a process of physical activity,” manager Craig Counsell noted. Davis has done some light running and throwing. The prospect has been beset by injuries as he continues to try and get to the Majors, after batting .201 in a combined 71 games across three leagues in 2023. (Last updated: March 5)