The Cubs will welcome fans back to Wrigley Field in 2021, the team announced today. They were approved by the city to fill the stadium to 20 percent of capacity, starting on the day of the inauguration. “In coordination with MLB, the leading health experts and local authorities, we have developed a comprehensive plan that prioritizes the health and safety of our players, staff and fans,” said Cubs President of Commercial Operations, Crane Kenney. “Our goal is to create a safe, clean and friendly environment for everyone to enjoy Cubs baseball starting Opening Day.” Cubs will require masks for customers two years of age or older, while offering cocoon-style seats and practicing social detachment.
Across the city, White Sox will be allowed up to 8,122 customers per game while practicing social detachment, according to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter) The Southsiders’ home debut will be on April 8th. This means that all teams, except the Blue Jays, will have at least a limited number of fans in the seats this season, grades Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Now, the latest news on Central’s list …
- The Brewers are facing a roster crisis at the end of the bank. It is a side effect of Jackie Bradley Jr. subscription, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Pablo Reyes and Derek Fisher impressed the manager Craig Counsell so far, McCalvy notes. Manny Pina and Avisail Garcia they are blocks to being a member of the bank, which probably only leaves two spots. Assuming Travis Shaw is on the list, which puts one from Shaw, Orlando Arcia, and Luis urias in the bank too. Daniel Robertson has been seen as a favorite to win the last seat on the bench, partly because the field player is out of options. Daniel Vogelbach he is also out of options and on the list of 40 men. The great first baseman brings a limited, albeit valuable, skill set, like a baton of strength off the bench. Of those players on the 40-player list, Fisher, Jace Pederson and Billy McKinney they’re also out of options, giving Brewers a lot to think about as we get closer to April 1st.
- Milwaukee may have a little extra time to decide on the final squad slot. Lorenzo Cain hasn’t played for a week because of a quadruple issue, and there’s a chance that he won’t be ready in time for debut day, according to McCalvy (via Twitter) There is still hope that he is ready for the jump, but if not, the Brewers can roll with Bradley Jr. in the center and Garcia on the right, while taking extra time to evaluate someone in their group out of options.
- Pirates coach Derek Shelton is not going to waste a lot of time thinking about who can take the closest job until the last few days of camp, according to Athletic’s Bi Biempempfel. Said Shelton: “We have a guy that we know can go to the bottom and do it on Richie (Rodríguez), who did it last year, so I’m not really thinking about it.” That certainly sounds like Richard Rodriguez has internal control of the work. There will certainly be enough bodies to choose from, as the Pirates plan to set up camp with eight or nine relievers, notes Biertempfel. That said, there are not many proven last-minute options to immediately take the role of Rodríguez. Kyle Crick is the most obvious challenger, with Chris Stratton perhaps getting a chance or two after eliminating about 30% of the hitters last season.