THE LAST THING STEELE KNEES NOW
MESA, Ariz. — Cubs left-hander Justin Steele left his last start of spring training after being struck by a comebacker by the Giants’ Luis Matos in the second inning Friday. He was diagnosed with a bruised left knee, the team announced.
Matos, the first batter of the inning, drove a one-hopper up the middle that hit the outside of Steele’s knee. Steele collapsed and grabbed his leg. Head athletic trainer Nick Frangella ran out to examine him. After a conversation, Steele walked off the field with Frangella, showing a slight limp.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the injury would affect Steele’s pitching schedule. But an hour after exiting, he tweeted, “I’m OK ... my bracket is not” — a reference to NCAA Tournament action Friday.
Matos’ comebacker, which was good for a single, was the only hit Steele allowed in his one-plus inning.
Manager Craig Counsell named him the Opening Day starter two weeks ago. He’s supposed to start next Thursday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas.
Smith optING out
First baseman Dominic Smith has asked out of his non-roster invitee contract, sources confirmed. He had multiple opt-outs built into his contract, with the first on Friday.
When Counsell addressed reporters, he said the team hadn’t made any decisions about non-roster invitees with opt-outs.
“Very much what I expected — good lefthanded hitter, smooth first baseman, professional at-bats, experienced,” Counsell said of Smith. “Don’t have to watch the spring-training at-bats, almost. You quickly tell, yeah, this is Dom Smith, he’s the player that he’s been. . . . The spring-training performance is less critical for a player like that. We’ve just got to figure out the roster and how it all fits together.”
The Cubs are expected to open one 40-man roster spot by putting pitcher Caleb Kilian (strained right shoulder) on the 60-day injured list. It remains to be seen if they’ll clear a second spot.
According to sources, they have three other non-roster invitees with opt-out dates this weekend: first baseman Garrett Cooper, reliever Carl Edwards Jr. and outfielder David Peralta.
WISDOM updatE AND MORE
Infielder Patrick Wisdom (stiff back) is set to begin the season on the 10-day injured list, Counsell announced.
“We’re hoping it’s a short stay — trending towards a short stay,” Counsell said.
Third baseman Nick Madrigal (strained right hamstring) has progressed to running the bases, Counsell said. He’s targeting Sunday to play in a minor-league game.
“We’re going to have to make a decision on Nick,” Counsell said. “It’s close, but we’ll see how the next couple of days progress.”
Right-hander Jameson Taillon (tightness in lower back) is on track to return from the IL in mid-April at the earliest, Counsell said. He’ll likely get a minor-league rehab assignment to build up before joining the rotation. ✶