The Cubs have about 100 relievers, give or take a couple, competing for a bullpen spot in spring training right now, but a wrist injury to lefty Xavier Cedeño might unexpectedly open up a slot come the start of the regular season.
The Cubs signed Cedeño in the middle of February, adding to their bullpen depth. It’s a non-guaranteed contract for the lefty, but with his outstanding numbers in 2018, it was expected that he’d take a spot in Joe Maddon’s 2019 pen.
Adding more bullpen depth, the Cubs have signed lefty Xavier Cedeño, sources told @TheAthleticCHI and @Ken_Rosenthal. Cedeño put up a 2.43 ERA in 48 appearances with the White Sox and Brewers last year.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) February 14, 2019
OK, maybe not guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, but his track record would suggest that Cedeño would have a great shot to break camp as one of eight relievers.
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However, the veteran lefty hasn’t pitched in a spring training game yet and that’s because he’s been dealing with a wrist issue.
Xavier Cedeno is dealing with a left wrist issue. Has resumed playing catch, but behind the rest of the bullpen candidates.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 3, 2019
If Cedeño isn’t ready for Opening Day, which at this point it doesn’t seem like he will be, then fellow lefty Brian Duensing could probably breathe a little easier during spring training.
Duensing had a horrid 2018 season, but if Cedeño starts the year on the injured list then Duensing is all but guaranteed to make the 25-man roster, along with Mike Montgomery as the only two lefties in the bullpen.
Even if Duensing’s spot wasn’t in jeopardy, Cedeño being behind schedule could open the door for one of several other relievers trying to impress the team in spring training.
Here’s how the Cubs bullpen is shaping up for the beginning of the 2019 season.
Pedro Strop
Carl Edwards Jr.
Steve Cishek
Brad Brach
Mike Montgomery
Brian Duensing
Brandon Kintzler
That’s seven of eight spots locked up and with the Cubs rotation looking healthy early on Tyler Chatwood might just end up being the eighth man in the bullpen.
However, maybe Duensing isn’t as safe to make the roster as it seems at the moment. Couple Duensing’s unknown status and Cedeño’s delayed start, the bullpen competition could become even more interesting in spring training for the Cubs.
Here are the other pitchers on the Cubs 40-man roster.
Adbert Alzolay
Tony Barnette
Dillon Maples
Alec Mills
James Norwood
Randy Rosario
Kyle Ryan
Justin Steele
Jen-Ho Tseng
Duane Underwood
Rowan Wick
And pitchers on minor-league deals.
Christian Bergman
Matt Carasiti
George Kontos
Rob Scahill
Junichi Tazawa
Jerry Vasto
Allen Webster
Mike Zagurski
Rob Zastryzny
And even a few of these prospects not on the 40-man roster could eventually pop up in the majors this year with the Cubs.
Craig Brooks
Ian Clarkin
Trevor Clifton
Conor Lillis-White
Dakota Mekkes
Duncan Robinson
At this point, Tony Barnette, Dillon Maples or George Kontos seem like the most realistic options to come in and earn a bullpen spot for the Cubs.
