Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, Matthew Boyd leaving Cubs camp for World Baseball Classic
MESA, Ariz. — Pete Crow-Armstrong admitted he will miss his Cubs teammates for maybe as long as three weeks.
“But this is special,” Crow-Armstrong said as he, third baseman Alex Bregman and pitcher Matthew Boyd will leave spring training to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
“This is obviously something new for me, and I just feel very lucky that I get to experience something like this. I'm ready to play some real meaningful baseball and just go wear those colors. I haven't done it for some years, and getting to do it at the highest stage is going to be special.”
Crow-Armstrong and Bregman each collected two hits Sunday against the White Sox, with Bregman planning to host a few of his Team USA teammates at his house.
Bregman hasn’t lost in international competition while playing for Team USA four times at the college level and in the 2017 WBC, and he relishes the bond with his teammates for short periods.
“I don’t know what is about it, it’s probably the stars and stripes, to be honest,” Bregman said. “You become a family and a team really quickly. Even though we’re in different camps now, we’ll be in the same clubhouse (Monday).
“The coolest part about it is the bond that’s created right away when you step in that locker room when you know what you’re representing and playing for.”
Bregman’s first three weeks with the Cubs has been smooth.
“I feel like our team's in a really good place right now,” Bregman said. “Guys are focused and locked in, ready for the season, getting preparing every day. I think it's a great group. And I'm very excited.”
Team USA opens pool play Friday against Brazil in Houston. Among the other prominent Cubs players participating in the WBC are pitcher Jameson Taillon (Canada), outfielder Seiya Suzuki (Japan), pitcher Javier Asaad (Mexico), catchers Miguel Amaya and Christian Bethancourt (Panama) and closer Daniel Palencia (Venezuela).
Outfield auditions
The departures of Crow-Armstrong and Suzuki create more opportunities for Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson, Chas McCormick and Kevin Alcantara for a backup spot in the outfield.
“That’s probably where we benefit from it,” Counsell said “The other side of is, you'd love to have your guys around.”
Counsell confirmed that Alcantara, who played his first game Saturday as the designated hitter after recovering from hernia surgery, will make his first start in the outfield Monday.
Shaw salad
The glut of backup outfield auditions could cut into playing time for infielder Matt Shaw and his utility role.
“I’d love for him to have 50 games out there, but that’s not realistic,” Counsell said. “Eight-ish games? That’s where we’re at.”
Ben is back
Infielder Ben Cowles was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays. To make room for Cowles on the 40-man roster, pitcher Shelby Miller was placed on the 60-day injured list.
This marks the third time Cowles has joined the Cubs. Cowles was waived by the Cubs after Miller was signed on Feb. 15.
White Sox 5, Cubs 1
Left-hander Shota Imanaga was tagged for three solo home runs in 2 2/3 innings. One encouraging aspect was that Imanaga’s fastball topped out at 95 mph, but his bigger concern is that he will be able to sustain that velocity as he pitches deeper into games. Sox top outfield prospect Braden Montgomery tagged an 82 mph slider by Imanaga for a solo homer in the second.
• Poor fundamentals gnawed at manager Craig Counsell in 2024, but he can be assured that the rundown drills performed this spring have carried out to exhibition games. Shortstop Dansby Swanson fielded Tanner Murray’s grounder and threw quickly to home plate, where catcher Carson Kelly chased Edgar Quero to third before Alex Bregman tagged him in the fifth.
• Pete Crow-Armstrong batted only .188 against left-handers last season, but he did an exceptional job of slapping a slider from Sox left-hander Anthony Kay into left field for a single in the second.
• On deck: Cubs at Reds, 2:05 p.m. Monday, Goodyear, Marquee, Jameson Taillon vs. Brady Singer.