Chicago Cubs Have to Address Bullpen Issues Ahead of Opening Day

The Chicago Cubs were supposed to have it easy when it came to making decisions on the bullpen this spring. They added help in the form of Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger to help bolster the pitching staff.

All that was left was for their younger pitchers to show up and perform this spring to help round out what they thought could be a strength heading into the 2023 MLB season.

But it hasn't quite worked out that way.

Relief pitchers Brandon Hughes, Keegan Thompson, and Mark Leiter Jr. would supposed to be key cogs in the bullpen but have either not performed well, or haven't fully ramped up their workloads due to arriving late to camp.

In fact, Thompson's velocity has been way down this spring, which is a cause for concern for the team as Opening Day looms.

Bullpen coach Chris Young mentioned Thompson's progress this spring and what they have planned for him moving forward.

“As a group, we’re trying to get him to get back to moving like he was last year, which he’s done a really good job of,” Young said. “He’s done a really good job in his bullpens, in side sessions, catch play, of getting his body back moving. And now that he’s moving well again, I think he feels really comfortable. And so I think he’s able to start getting back into his legs and start stepping on the gas again.”

Despite the words, Thompson's current performance leaves the bullpen in flux.

Enter Javier Assad, Hayden Wesneski, and Adrian Simpson.

All three are vying for a starter spot but only one will break camp with a job in the rotation.

Wesneski seems to be leading the competition by a fair margin. But Assad has looked incredible this spring both with Chicago and Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Sampson on the other hand has not performed well this season, something the Cubs were not betting on from the veteran.

However, Chicago could decide to use Sampson in the rotation due to his experience. That could leave the door open for Wesneski, Assad, or both, to make the bullpen on Opening Day.

Both the latter were slated to start their season in Triple-A but now may find themselves on the Big League roster in part due to their overperformance this spring and the underperformance from some of the supposed key cogs of the bullpen.

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