As the toughest cuts of spring training loom, manager Joe Maddon and his staff have played the “what if” game regarding potential injuries and lack of production.
The Cubs were able to withstand Kyle Schwarber’s season-long knee injury in the third game of the 2016 season. One major contributor was Willson Contreras, who made an impression with a strong spring that led to his call-up in June.
The Cubs cruised to a 25-6 start last season, allowing them to pace closer Hector Rondon and give extended rest to other players. They know they may not have that luxury this year as they evaluate their options outside their projected 25-man roster.
“We boat-raced a lot of games,” Maddon said of last season, when the Cubs outscored their opponents by a major league-leading 252 runs. “We won a lot of games by many runs and didn’t have to necessarily push anybody at the end of a game, but you don’t know how it’s going to break this year.”
The Cubs have Koji Uehara and Rondon capable of pitching in save situations if new closer Wade Davis is unavailable. It’s unclear how often Maddon can use Davis on consecutive days.
Davis told Maddon that his right forearm injuries that sidelined him for six weeks last season with the Royals were overblown and that he feels healthy.
Davis, 31, pitched in four consecutive games (sandwiched around a day off) in late September and in three consecutive games once.
Maddon would like to use Davis no more than three games in a row and insists he’s healthy, based on radar gun readings.
“When I look at the gun, and I’m seeing 94, 95, 96 (mph), wow,” said Maddon, who managed Davis with the Rays. “I’ve never seen him (throw that hard) in camp. We’ll be careful with him.”
Maddon said he believes the Cubs are in better position with their starting pitching depth with Eddie Butler stretched out, as opposed to last season when they didn’t use a sixth starter, reliever Adam Warren, until the 84th game.
The Cubs again possess plenty of versatility. But their depth was tested in late June last year when Dexter Fowler, Jorge Soler and Schwarber were all sidelined with injuries, causing Albert Almora Jr. and Contreras to make their major-league debuts and Chris Coghlan to be reacquired from the Athletics.
Third baseman Kris Bryant’s versatility helped compensate for the loss of Schwarber in left, and Bryant played first base Saturday in place of Anthony Rizzo, who has played 155 games or more in three of the last four seasons.
Switch hitter Jeimer Candelario, whose path to the majors is blocked by Bryant and Rizzo, could fill in at first in the event of an injury with Javier Baez likely to get more playing time at second, third base and shortstop.
“I feel good about the group that’s going back to Triple A,” Maddon said. “If something were to happen, we’d still be in good shape.”
mgonzales@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MDGonzales
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