Cubs Manager Confirms Former Yankees Outfielder Will Make Opening Day Roster
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The Chicago Cubs don't have many jobs to win during Spring Training, and with Cody Bellinger re-signing, they lost another job for someone to win.
Mike Tauchman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and others have an opportunity to make the Opening Day Roster.
Tauchman, however, already earned a roster spot.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters that Tauchman will be a part of the 26-man roster to start the year and added that the first-year skipper told Tauchman he had a spot when Spring Training started.
That ultimately isn't surprising.
The veteran played in 108 games for Chicago last season, slashing .252/.363/.377 with eight home runs. He can play all three outfield spots, bringing value to any team.
Guaranteeing him a spot allows Tauchman to focus on baseball and not stress about making the team. He's had 13 Spring Training at-bats, hitting a home run for one of his two hits.
It's expected that Tauchman will be the Cubs fourth outfielder.
With Bellinger, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki locked in the corner outfield roles, this all but confirms that Crow-Armstrong and Alexander Canario will start the season in Triple-A.
While a bit discouraging that Crow-Armstrong will have to wait again to get full-time big-league at-bats, it's best for the team and his development.
He's shown well for parts of Spring Training, but the concerns with the bat are warranted.
For Tauchman, Chicago knows what they can expect out of him as he enters his seventh season in the big leagues.
