Marcus Stroman to make Cubs’ spring training debut Friday

The Chicago Cubs will officially kickoff Spring Training with a split-squad game against the White Sox on Thursday, but the sole focus will be on Marcus Stroman on Friday. The 30-year-old righty will be making his spring debut against the San Francisco Giants.

In previous seasons, any starting pitcher would normally throw one inning in their spring debut, ramping up to a regular season’s workload by the end of the exhibitions. However, it’ll be interesting to see how teams handle their pitchers with the compressed schedule.

At any rate, it should, hopefully, also give us our first look at the Stroman-Willson Contreras connection. Both players display a ton of emotion on the field, and Willson Contreras is looking forward to catching his games.

"“He has a great energy around here,” Contreras said about his new teammate. “He’s all smiles, he’s getting along with the guys really good. I’m excited for him, and I’m looking forward to having a good system with him.”"

Marcus Stroman will officially make his Chicago Cubs spring training debut.

Stroman signed a lucrative three-year contract with the Cubs prior to the lockout, and he’ll look to lead the rotation this season, followed by Kyle Hendricks and Wade Miley. Beyond that, it could be a wide-open competition for the final two spots.

Regardless, Stroman is excited to be in Arizona, getting to know his new teammates.

"“It’s good to get back into the swing of things,” Stroman said after arriving at camp. “I feel like everyone’s been kind of anxious, waiting to go. Definitely get back out here around the squad, there’s very new faces for me, I’m trying to get settled in and learn everybody’s names, but it’s good to have baseball back.”"

The Cubs and Giants will get underway on Friday, with the first pitch set for 9:05 pm CT.