Travis Wood’s decision Monday to agree to a two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals gives him the security that he wasn’t assured with the Cubs.
Wood will get a chance to start with the Royals despite flourishing in a relief role the past 1 1/2 seasons in Chicago.
One of the Cubs’ biggest missions will be trying to patch the void left by Wood, who posted a 2.95 ERA in 77 appearances and limited left-handed batters to a .128 batting average.
But the team is well-stocked with potential replacements for Wood, who was used in a variety of relief roles.
With left-handed reliever David Rollins clearing waivers and receiving an invitation to spring training as a non-roster invitee, the Cubs will have 40 pitchers for their first workout Wednesday.
That’s nearly two-thirds of their entire spring roster.
The extra pitchers are needed after a taxing 2016 that resulted in the Cubs’ first World Series title since 1908. The Cubs’ staff also would like to take an extended look at recent acquisitions Eddie Butler and Alec Mills in the event extra starting help is needed during the regular season, as well as them helping the rotation past the 2017 season.
One reliever who could get a close look is non-roster invitee Maikel Cleto, who last pitched in the majors with the White Sox in 2014.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Cleto, 27, struck out 31 in 21 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. According to one Cubs official, Cleto’s fastball was clocked in the high 90 mph range during a brief stint for Licey in the Dominican Winter League. But Cleto has been hampered throughout his career by control issues.
Photos as the Cubs arrive at spring training in Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 13, 2017.
Fifteen weeks after embarking on their endless celebration, the Cubs enter spring training as defending World Series champions for the first time since 1909.
Here are nine issues they face in Arizona this spring.
(Mark Gonzales)
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