3 takeaways from Day 1 of Chicago Cubs spring training, including the potential for a closer-by-committee approach

MESA, Ariz. — Dansby Swanson stood in front of his new locker for the spring, not knowing who previously used the stall.

His connection to Jason Heyward precedes signing with the Chicago Cubs in the offseason. Although Heyward is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Swanson reflected on their bond Wednesday.

“It’s funny, I remember hearing all the stories about him when he was 16 playing up at East Cobb (Georgia), and I was, I don’t know, like 10 or 11, but we’ve developed such a great relationship,” Swanson said. “He’s been awesome for me. … He’s a tremendous human. He’s definitely someone I’m grateful that I can learn from.”

Swanson connected with Heyward during the offseason to gain insight not only about playing for the Cubs but what it’s like to transition from playing for their hometown Atlanta Braves and understand what life is like on the other side. The Cubs don’t hold their first full workout until Monday, but President Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins addressed the media for the first time Wednesday.

Hoyer noted through the offseason that he prefers avoiding contract-extension talks during camp in an effort to limit the impact on players. Hoyer is not taking a hard line on ending contract conversations with spring training having kicked off Wednesday with the first official workout. Without mentioning Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner by name, Hoyer acknowledged the team has had good dialogue with both sides and added “there’s definitely positive conversations.”

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“We’re not going to just cut it off because we’re here today,” Hoyer said. “My preference is really not to get towards the end of spring training and get to a place where I feel like it’s affecting the preparation and mentality for the season. I do think that has happened, I’ve seen that happen before. So that’s something we’ll be aware of and we’ve talked to both camps about.”

Happ and Hoerner fit the profile of who makes sense to extend. Notably, the Cubs have not agreed to a contract extension since Kyle Hendricks (March 2019) and David Bote (April 2019).

Over the final two months of the 2022 season, manager David Ross tinkered with matchup-based closer opportunities after the Cubs traded David Robertson. Hoyer described it as an educational and instructive experience for Ross.

“He’s always had a more set closer so I thought he did a great job with that,” Hoyer said. “I’d expect some of that but it’s always nice to have that certainty of role for all the pitchers down there. So I’m sure that will be part of his thinking as well. But we’ll see how that plays out.”

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Ten players recorded at least one save for the Cubs last season. Brandon Hughes, Rowan Wick and Mark Leiter Jr. again could be part of that mix along with offseason additions Julian Merryweather, Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer.

“Somebody will get the majority of those opportunities — I think those things play out through spring training and the season,” Ross said. “We’ve got a lot of talented pitchers down there and some guys that are continuing to make names for themselves. I’m excited about watching them compete for it.”

The Cubs are preparing to be without Hendricks at the start of the year.

The veteran right-hander is still in the long-toss phase of his rehab buildup, but the hope is he throws off a mound soon for the first time in roughly seven months. Hendricks has been the Cubs’ opening-day starter the previous three seasons.

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“We know he’s going to be delayed,” Hoyer said. “We’ll have a lot of discussions about how much … we’ll see when he comes back. But the most important thing is getting him back to him pitching like Kyle Hendricks, and we’re willing to wait a little while for that.

“We certainly wish we had Kyle. Obviously he’s been excellent for a long time. Last year early in the season when we did have (rotation) injuries we weren’t ready for it from a farm system standpoint, from a depth standpoint, and that’s a huge emphasis for us.”

The Cubs still need to discuss whether reliever Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgery), who threw a bullpen Wednesday, will open on the 60-day injured list. When he does return, Heuer’s workload will be managed through the season, Hoyer said. Heuer hasn’t pitched since September 2021 after undergoing surgery in March.