Chicago Cubs Lineup(s) (3/8/24): Hoerner Leads Off, Bellinger in CF, Shaw 3B, Imanaga Starting

The Cubs trimmed 12 players from their spring roster, but one of them is in the lineup today anyway because those things are merely procedural at this point. It’s been a helluva week for yours truly, so I must once again offer my apologies for a highly abbreviated post.

Nico Hoerner leads off in second, then it’s Seiya Suzuki in right and Cody Bellinger in center. Dansby Swanson cleans up at short, Garrett Cooper is the DH, Dominic Smith is at first, and Yan Gomes is the catcher. Alexander Canario is in right and Matt Shaw bats ninth as the third baseman. Though Shaw was assigned to minor league camp earlier in the day, he’ll keep getting reps with the big club.

On the mound for the second time this spring is lefty Shōta Imanaga, who will look to build on his performance last time out as he hones his approach to MLB hitters. Imanaga showed that he can miss bats when his stuff is working, but he’s also prone to homers when he makes mistakes. The key for him is getting comfortable working up in the zone with the fastball after living lower in Japan.

First pitch against the Mariners from Sloan is at 2:05pm CT on Marquee Sports Network.

The Cubs actually have another game starting five minutes later against the Diamondback at Salt River Fields, but that one isn’t being broadcast. Kyle Hendricks is on the bump in front of a lineup consisting primarily of backups and prospects.

Mike Tauchman leads off in center, followed by Christopher Morel at third, Michael Busch at first, and Miguel Amaya behind the plate. Miles Mastrobuoni is at short, David Bote is at second, Owen Caissie is in left, and Moises Ballesteros is the DH. Brett Bateman rounds things out in right.

Here is today’s split-squad lineup vs. the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields! pic.twitter.com/BUvGgeUBWv

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 8, 2024