Chicago Cubs’ Geovany Soto might not play Cactus League Opener – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs were dealt what can be a serious blow on Tuesday, February 28, when the news of Geovany Soto’s injury was announced. A strained groin can possibly render the catcher unable to play on Sunday when the Cactus League will have the opening game
of the Spring Training session.
What might add to the trouble of Chicago Cubs is the fact that they have not yet announced any name for the catcher this season. Any replacement for Soto is important considering the inevitability of injury or set of injuries that any player remains vulnerable
to.
Soto’s encountering pain at this stage can prove costly. Nonetheless, how sensitive the nature of injury is not clearly known. The team manager, in the meanwhile, says he does not foresee the player to appear on Sunday’s Cactus League opener.
"[The athletic trainers] said he came in and was feeling better," Sveum said. "It's still one of those things where he's a week away from being on the field all day long."
Chicago Cubs are undeniably equipped with some of the best players this season owing to a strong 40-man roster. But since there was no announcement for the catcher other than Soto, it may be a cause of concern.
Until the past season, for instance, the Cubs had Koyie Hill to serve as the replacement for Soto if there was any problem. Now that he is no longer with the Cubs and has joined the St. Louis Cardinals, there is no word for any new catcher.
However, the team manager believes there is a list of quality catchers available from among the roster right now. Starting from Welington Castillo to Steve Clevenger, Blake Lalli and Michael Brenly, there are players to come forward as catchers.
"It's probably the first time in camp I've had so many quality catchers," Sveum said. "You have to keep your eye on them to make that decision when we break camp."
In the end, it will be up to the team manager to find out the best possible replacement for Soto so as to compensate for the absence of the player.
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