MESA, Ariz. — Less than three weeks before the Chicago Cubs open the season in Japan, the organization has clarity on second baseman Nico Hoerner’s availability for the Tokyo Series.
Because of where he is in the rehab process after undergoing flexor tendon surgery on his right arm in October, Hoerner won’t make the trip with the team, manager Craig Counsell said Thursday. The Cubs are keeping the big picture in mind when assessing Hoerner’s readiness, not wanting to push him to be ready for the two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, especially with another week of spring training that follows before regular-season play resumes.
“It stinks in terms of not getting to be part of the trip,” Counsell said, “but his rehab has really in the last couple weeks … maybe last three weeks has taken a big step forward and he is starting to progress quicker, so we’re in a really good spot.”
Hoerner is “very much tracking toward” being ready for the Cubs’ domestic opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27 in Phoenix, Counsell added. Hoerner will get at-bats in minor-league games while the team is overseas.
“If we can have him for domestic opening day, I think going back to (the) surgery date it’d be a really positive result,” Counsell said.
The Cubs won’t need to put Hoerner on the injured list before the games in Tokyo. The two-game series has unique roster rules in which each team can bring 31 players to Japan and deem 26 to be active for the games. Players are not required to be optioned, though if the Cubs want to put a nonroster invitee on the active roster, that player must be added to the 40-man roster.
Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján will be candidates to start at second base versus the Dodgers. Nonroster invitee Nicky Lopez is also in the mix to be part of the roster.
“(Berti and Bruján) are both second basemen, so we’re not introducing a new position to them,” Counsell said. “They will continue to prepare at every position because over the long haul that’s more important for them. Very confident in both of their abilities to play second.”
The Cubs haven’t made a decision about third baseman Matt Shaw’s availability for the Tokyo Series. Shaw, who has been sidelined by an oblique issue, likely will play in his first Cactus League game Sunday.
“Nothing is off the table with Matt,” Counsell said.
