How Cubs prepared for rule change leading up to Cactus League opener vs. White Sox

MESA, Ariz. — Leading up to the Cubs’ Cactus League opener Friday, the players have had the chance to test out the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system during live batting practice in Sloan Park this week.

“Major League Baseball was just setting up the system to make sure it was operational for the spring training games,” Counsell said Tuesday. “And so, took advantage of that.”

The Cubs’ preparation for the system so far has included live batting practice since Tuesday and an ABS team meeting Thursday morning. They plan to use this spring to experiment with ABS, which is debuting in MLB regular season and postseason games this year, before refining their guidelines on when to challenge.

“We gave the players just the basics rules [Thursday],” Counsell said. “Like, you’ve got to tap your head, can't just verbalize it — just real basic stuff. And then just go with it, see what happens.”

The players had fun with it Tuesday. Shortstop Dansby Swanson was the first to challenge and got an ovation from his teammates when he won the appeal.

The graphic played on the video board, showing the ball flying in from the mound. The camera angle spun around its landing spot outside of the strike zone.

“I thought it was cool,” Swanson told the Sun-Times. "It's going to be an interesting transition and change.”

By Thursday, Counsell was also calling out challenges — which he won’t be permitted to do during games — to help test the system further on the eve of the Cubs’ game Friday against the White Sox. Select spring training ballparks were ABS-equipped last year, but Sloan was not.

Ballesteros expected ‘soon’

Cubs catcher Moisés Ballesteros is expected to join the team this weekend, after his arrival was delayed by visa issues, Counsell said.

“We're optimistic right now he's going to be here shortly,” Counsell said. “If that should happen, I think we're in a good place. He's going to be behind in terms of when you see him in a game. But with the normal spring training schedule, I feel confident in the number of games we're looking at here.”

The Cubs have less “firm information” on veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt’s timetable, Counsell said, as he also deals with visa issues.

Notes

• Counsell was encouraged by the carry and velocity on left-hander Shota Imanaga’s fastball Thursday, during a two-inning live batting practice session.

• Left-handed reliever Ryan Rolison was struck above the knee by a line-drive comebacker Thursday while facing right fielder Seiya Suzuki. Rolison finished his inning of live batting practice.