As Carl Edwards Jr. returns to the organization where it all started, the Chicago Cubs reliever makes case to make team

MESA, Ariz. — Carl Edwards Jr. doesn’t need a whole lot to get himself locked in.

His familiarity with the Chicago Cubs organization made his reunion this spring almost seamless. Edwards’ World Series title connection to the Cubs, with whom he landed as a minor-leaguer in 2013 as part of the return in the Matt Garza trade, brings more than just fond memories for the reliever. There is a comfort in coming back to the place he experienced so much personal and team success.

And now he could be part of the opening-day roster.

“They have an idea of who I am and my identity,” Edwards told the Tribune on Friday. “Honestly, me personally just hearing them when I have days that I’m not good, they tell me and that’s all I need. I don’t need a whole lot. My preparation before the game is pretty good and my mindset is pretty good.

“We’re having fun (among the relievers) and you have to have fun when the season starts and set goals for each other.”

By Monday, the Cubs will have clarity on the opening-day roster they take to Texas for the three-game series against the reigning champion Rangers beginning Thursday. First baseman Dominic Smith opted out Friday, sources confirmed to the Tribune, while Edwards and Garrett Cooper could trigger their opt-outs by the end of the weekend if they don’t make the team. Right-hander Caleb Kilian’s shoulder injury will create a 40-man spot when they put him on the 60-day injured list.

The Cubs don’t want to finalize every roster spot quite yet as camp wraps up. They already know right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) and third baseman Patrick Wisdom (back) will start the season on the IL. The Cubs aren’t quite ready to declare the opening-day status for Nick Madrigal (right hamstring), who has not yet played in a Cactus League game but could get into a minor-league game Sunday.

In a scary moment in the second inning Friday at Sloan Park, Justin Steele took a comebacker off the outside of his left knee during his final outing before his opening-day start. He gingerly walked off the field without assistance and was diagnosed with a bruised left knee.

Edwards always has made sense to be part of the Cubs bullpen if he showed during camp that the shoulder issue that cost him chunks of last season was behind him. Counsell indicated such on Friday before their split-squad games against the San Francisco Giants.

“He’s done that quickly, like, he’s healthy. There’s no issues with his health,” Counsell said. “It’s very similar to Dom Smith in that he’s the player that he’s been and then we’ve just got to figure out the roster situation. Maybe a little bit different pitcher than he was with the Cubs originally, but to me he’s the pitcher he’s been the last two years and he’s the healthy version of that.”

Ian Happ is one of four players remaining from the big-league roster during Edwards’ final season with the organization in 2019 before he was traded to Padres. He has seen how Edwards’ personality can fit on winning teams.

“He’s just got great energy,” Happ told the Tribune. “He loves baseball. Him and Héctor Neris have done a good job with that reliever group. There’s a group of guys that have had a year to get to know each other, and those two guys fit in perfectly.”

The changeup has become an important part of Edwards’ effectiveness at this point of his career. He incorporated it into his typical fastball-curveball repertoire the last two seasons. Of the 231 changeups he threw between 2022-23, Edwards allowed only one extra-base hit — a double — off the pitch. He produced the highest Whiff% among his three pitches with the changeup in 2023.

It’s the type of transformation that could help Edwards, 32, as he looks to break camp with the Cubs.

“The big leagues is about adapting and making adjustments and the league is going to require you to do it, the players that stay in the league keep making adjustments and I think CJ’s a good example of that,” Counsell said. “Most pitchers that last, they generally have to figure out a way to take care of themselves really well and keep their arm going and then they have to figure out a way to adjust, usually with something a little bit different as they get older. CJ’s done that.”