Cubs reliever Porter Hodge will begin season on injured list with flexor tendon strain

MESA, Ariz. — Reliever Porter Hodge will start the season on the 15-day injury list with a right flexor tendon strain that warrants scrutiny.

“It’s a setback,” manager Craig Counsell said. Hodge expressed discomfort after his last appearance on Feb. 27. He will be shut down for at least two weeks before performing plyometric exercises.

Flexor tendon strains can be a precursor to Tommy John surgery, although Counsell said neither the injuries to Hodge or Jordan Wicks (radial nerve irritation in left arm) are “not the long-term injuries right now. So that’s a good thing.”

Nevertheless, Hodge’s injury is “a setback,” Counsell said. Hodge coped with a left oblique injury and right shoulder impingement in 2025. Those injuries have stunted his program since posting a 1.88 ERA as a rookie in 2024.

Wicks, a first-round pick in 2021, likely won’t resume throwing off a mound until later this month. Wicks was projected to provide depth as a reliever and starter.

Jonathon Long (left elbow bruise) has resumed baseball work and could return to game action by next weekend, Counsell said.

Closer to home

Selected Cubs minor leaguers won’t need transportation should Mesa City Council board members pass a proposal that would turn a 3.14 acre site into a 103-room public hotel and 36-unit team housing complex.

“We rent from many different providers and partners, but having it right in our backyard is going to be really great for the players,” Jason Kanzler, the Cubs’ director of player development, told the Sun-Times.

The Den on Rio Salado used to be an animal shelter until the property was auctioned in 2025, according to the Mesa Tribune. The Cubs would use the lodging for players rehabbing from spring training, performing in extended spring training and Arizona Complex League and Instructional League. There also would be work space for administrators.

The units would be comprised of two and three bedrooms for players, who also would have access to a sports court, putting greens and a barbecue area, according to the proposal.

The Royals and Guardians built similar minor league lodging facilities through Pro Housing, which is partnering with the Cubs.

“It’s certainly something that gives us confidence that they know what they're doing, and at the end of the day, it's a lovely thing for us to be able to have a partner that we are comfortable with,” Kevin Walsh, director of minor league operations, told the Sun-Times.

The proposal will be presented to the Planning and Zoning Board before it’s presented to the city council. If approved, construction on the complex could start in June and take 16 months to complete, the Mesa Tribune reported.

Eye on Hawk

Cubs Hall of Fame outfielder Andre Dawson is expected to arrive Monday as a guest instructor, and one of his anticipated assignments will be working with Matt Shaw, who is trying to increase his versatility as an outfielder.

“My first thought goes to playing the outfield at Wrigley,” Counsell said.

Dawson might be able to provide wisdom even though Shaw has yet to play the outfield at Wrigley.

“You always get interesting answers from (guest instructors), perspective,” Counsell said.

See you this summer

Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins returned to the minor league camp, but Counsell intimated Wiggins isn’t far from joining the major league club this season.

“The finishing touches can happen really fast,” Counsell said. “This is how I would describe it. So I think that, but they can also take a while.”

Wiggins will start the season at Triple-A Iowa but could advance should he sharpen his pitch mix to complement his fastball that occasionally touches 100 mph.

Giants 9, Cubs 5

It was a bullpen day, and relievers Caleb Thielbar, Phil Maton and Hoby Milner pitched a scoreless inning apiece. Maton skipped a breaking pitch by Moises Ballesteros for a wild pitch but came back to whiff Casey Schmitt on a 75 mph curve in the second.

• Matt Shaw’s audition as a utility player progressed Sunday, as he started in right and ran across the foul line and positioned himself properly to catch Daniel Susac’s fly near the railing in the second.

• Dansby Swanson’s new hitting approach, in which he no longer drops his back shoulder like Dave Kingman once did, produced a triple and double.

• On deck: The Cubs' next game is at 3:05 p.m. Tuesday against the Rangers in Surprise. Cade Horton will start.