Breaking down Cubs Roster 2022 Part 2 |
The 2022 Major League Baseball season is upon us, and the Cubs are off to a strong start. Only one series is in the books and another begins today, but the Cubs both on paper and on the field look like a much different ball club.
So while you get settled into watching the Cubs play 159 more times over the next six months, get to know who will be on the mound.
One thing has been certain for the Cubs over the last nine years and that is the fact that Kyle Hendricks will be a part of the pitching staff. The professor has now started his third consecutive Opening Day and is in Chicago for his ninth season — and his consistency is a staple atop the Cubs rotation. Behind Hendricks is the Cubs newest starter, All-star Marcus Stroman. Stroman opted out of the season during 2020 due to COVID, but has pitched admirably in parts of eight seasons with the Blue Jays and Mets. Stroman is known for his excellent defense and passion on the mound, and is slotted to display that at Wrigley for the next three seasons. Behind Hendricks and Stroman, the starting rotation gets a bit clouded. The Cubs have up-and-comer Justin Steele currently in the rotation, and he has pitched well in his ten career starts. The Cubs also are glad to have a left hander in their starting rotation after not having a south paw in their 2021 opening day rotation. Newly acquired veterans Drew Smyly and Wade Miley currently appear to handle the rest of the starting rotation. Smyly had battled injuries, but boasts a career ERA around 4.00 and won a career-high 11 games in 2021. Miley is a left-hander, coming off his best individual season since 2012. Alec Mills has been a staple of the Cubs pitching staff over the last few years as well, and looks to rejoin the rotation or bullpen after his stint on the injured list. Adbert Alzolay is certainly in the Cubs plans at the rotation as well, but is currently on the 60-day injured list to open the season. Youngster Keegan Thompson also started some games in 2021, but is currently a member of the Cubs bullpen as the season begins.
We mentioned Thompson, but one this is certain when it comes to the Cubs. No matter who is on the roster, the Cubs pitching staff find a way to churn out a quality bullpen year after year. To open the season, the only true returner to the bullpen is Rowan Wick. Wick has battled numerous injuries, but has performed admirable in the backend of the bullpen when asked to. Newcoming veteran David Robertson, Daniel Norris, Chris Martin, Jesse Chavez and Mychal Givens appear to be inning eaters these season for David Ross’s bullpens. All are right handers beside Norris, but all have a history of pitching near the back end of ball games and are looking to pick up large roles for the Cubs in 2022. In addition to the veterans, the Cubs have a collection of young players who are currently apart of David Ross’ bullpen. Ethan Roberts, Michael Rucker and Scott Effross fill out the list of healthy bullpen arms on the Cubs staff as the season begins. While Mills, Miley and Alzolay are all starters on the injured list, the Cubs have a pair of relievers expected to have large roles in the bullpen as well who are on the shelf. Tall left hander Brad Wick who has been battling injuries for more than two years, opens the year on the 60-day injured list. Plus, Codi Heuer, who the Cubs also acquired in the Craig Kimbrel trade, and who was expected to be a staple in the back of the Cubs bullpen in 2022 — is also on the 60-day injured list to open the season.STARTING PITCHERS
BULLPEN
