After facing off in the Cactus League opener on Friday, White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami and Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki are set to become teammates in Japan during the World Baseball Classic this week. Suzuki, among eight Cubs players on the 40-man roster competing in the WBC, completed his final Cactus League game Sunday in Scottsdale against the San Francisco Giants.
Meanwhile, Murakami, included in the five White Sox members preparing for the WBC, will play three more spring training games before departing Friday for Tokyo. His schedule features a designated hitter role on Monday, a rest day Tuesday, followed by appearances Wednesday and Thursday.
If I’m feeling healthy and good, I’ll try to play every single game that’s out there,
Murakami said Sunday.
Spring Training Updates and Player Progress
White Sox infielder Sam Antonacci made a strong impression in the Cactus League opener by hitting a two-run homer in the second inning against the Cubs at Sloan Park. Despite an 0-2 count, he connected with a 92.5 mph fastball from Jameson Taillon, sending the ball 417 feet for a deep right-field home run, followed by an emphatic bat flip.
As a nonroster invitee, Antonacci appreciates the welcoming attitude of White Sox veterans, who have helped him adjust to the routines and team dynamics during camp.
The veterans have been really welcoming and making me feel available to just be myself and play the game that I play,
Antonacci said Thursday at Camelback Ranch.
Just understanding routines and how everyone does those things differently is cool to see. Just working to keep building on things with this team.
Ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the White Sox system for 2025, Antonacci posted a .291 batting average across multiple minor league levels last year, with 21 doubles, five homers, and 57 RBIs in 116 games. His performance in the Arizona Fall League was especially notable, where he batted .378 in 19 games.
Every at-bat was a grind, Antonacci reflected on the AFL season. I had a blast.
With plans to join teammate Kyle Teel on Team Italy for the WBC, Antonacci is focused on maximizing his remaining days at White Sox camp.
I’m looking forward to meeting all those guys, but right now I’m just taking in these last (few) days while I’m here, trying to get better with the White Sox,
Antonacci said,
and then once I transition into the WBC, I’ll put all my effort into that.
Moisés Ballesteros Overcomes Visa Delay to Begin Cubs Camp
Cubs catcher and designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros arrived at spring training camp Sunday after a two-week postponement caused by visa complications. Ballesteros admitted to feeling anxious in early January due to concerns over international flights following political unrest involving the United States and Venezuela.
There was some tension, there was some anxiety,
Ballesteros said through the Cubs interpreter.
I never thought that would happen to start the year off. I was nervous, because I thought they were going to shut down all the flights. But it worked out and I’m here.
He humorously recalled being suspicious of the visa interviewer, joking:
I thought the person doing the interview was a Brewers fan, because they were being very serious with me,
Ballesteros said.
Although Ballesteros is slightly behind schedule due to the delayed arrival, Cubs manager Craig Counsell emphasized patience in easing him back into workouts and batting practice.
He had to be patient, and now we’ve got to be a little patient here and give him time to just run around for a couple days, swing the bat casually,
Counsell explained.
In the 2025 season, Ballesteros hit .298 over 20 games with 11 RBIs and an .868 OPS. Counsell praised his natural hitting ability and expects Ballesteros to compete for a roster spot.
He showed what got him to the big leagues, and that’s not always easy to do in a smaller sample and right off the bat,
Counsell said.
He’s a gifted hitter. The ball just goes hard all over the field, kind of with no rhyme or reason, and that’s the sign of a good hitter.
Primarily used as a DH last year, Ballesteros also logged limited innings at first base and behind the plate. Counsell indicated he will see time both as a catcher and first baseman during spring training.
White Sox Strengthen Spring Record with Third Straight Win
The White Sox improved to 3-0 in spring training with a 5-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday at Camelback Ranch. This marks their first perfect start to the spring since 2004, highlighting strong early performance.
The team’s upcoming schedule includes:
- Monday: at Royals, 2:05 p.m.
- Tuesday: vs. Padres, 2:05 p.m.
- Wednesday: vs. Rockies, 2:05 p.m.
- Thursday: at Angels, 2:10 p.m.
- Friday: vs. Indians, 2:05 p.m.
- Saturday: at Dodgers, 2:05 p.m.
- Sunday: vs. Sox, 2:05 p.m. (Marquee)
Questions Remain for Cubs’ Pitching Rotation and Spring Debuts
Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ opening day starter in Tokyo last year, faces uncertainty this season after struggling in the latter half of 2025 due to a hamstring injury and postseason challenges. Although he remains part of the five-man starting rotation, his specific role is yet to be determined.
Imanaga is slated to make his spring training debut Tuesday against the San Diego Padres at Sloan Park. Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the mental toll from last year’s difficulties but expressed optimism about Imanaga’s readiness to rebound.
That’s what the game does to you,
Counsell said. “It tells you ‘I’ve got to make some adjustments.’ It’s good to get some perspective, some time to let that sink in. That’s what is hard about a season. It doesn’t stop. It doesn’t let up, and you’ve got to do it (again) in four days. It’s hard to make changes in that quick of a window, and the games carry that importance.
The time away has allowed him to take a step back, put together a good plan and we’ve got six weeks to kind of dial it in.
The Cubs have held back on scheduling Cade Horton’s spring debut, despite him throwing 98 mph in live batting practice and being healthy again. Similarly, Edward Cabrera’s first appearance this spring is still undetermined.
The Cubs’ pitching schedule includes:
- Monday: at Rockies, 2:10 p.m.
- Tuesday: at Mariners, 2:10 p.m.
- Wednesday: vs. Reds, 2:05 p.m.
- Thursday: at Dodgers, 2:05 p.m.
- Friday: vs. Rangers, 2:05 p.m. (webcast), at Brewers, 2:10 p.m.
- Saturday: at Guardians, 2:05 p.m. (CHSN)
- Sunday: at Cubs, 2:05 p.m. (Marquee)
Chris Murphy Embraces Flexibility in Boosting Cubs Bullpen
Left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy, acquired from Boston in the offseason, is open to any role the Cubs require during spring training. He stressed adaptability and readiness to contribute whenever called upon.
Told (Venable) in one of the first meetings I had with him, you could tell me an hour before the game I’m starting and I’ll be ready to do it,
Murphy shared Saturday.
Whatever it needs to be, whether it’s throw me down in the bullpen, go two innings, one-third, go one inning, start the next day. I don’t care. I just want to get outs in the big leagues.
Murphy returned from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him in 2024 and posted a 3-0 record with a 3.12 ERA in 23 relief appearances during the 2025 season with the Red Sox. Despite having 30 strikeouts, he acknowledged command remains an area to improve.
I need to get back to what I did well in ’23 and the beginning of ’24, which is, hey, suffocate the zone,
Murphy told the Tribune on Feb. 14.
Do what I need to do. Throughout the offseason, that was the focus as well. Strike one, strike two, put him away.
Murphy admitted command is the last skill to fully recover after surgery but emphasized his competitive nature and ability to produce outs despite imperfect stuff.
I know I gave it some grace that command is the last thing to come back from Tommy John (surgery),
he said.
The fact that I still competed and got outs while I didn’t have my best (stuff) every single time I went out, that tells me everything I need to know about who I am as a pitcher.
His latest outing against the Athletics was encouraging: Murphy threw 8 of 10 first-pitch strikes, allowed one run on three hits, struck out one, and walked one over two innings.
Manager Craig Counsell Navigates Spring Roster Challenges
Cubs manager Craig Counsell is actively working to assemble a balanced and effective bench as camp progresses, a task complicated by roster questions and player status. He acknowledged the difficulty in satisfying veteran analyst Bruce Levine’s standards while preparing the roster for the season.
I’m still trying to figure out how to put a bench together that will satisfy Bruce Levine. That’s something I haven’t accomplished yet.
— Craig Counsell, Cubs manager
Spring Training Marks a Crucial Time for Cubs and White Sox
The ongoing Cactus League games and early spring performances are setting the tone for both Chicago teams as they prepare for the regular season and international tournaments. While the White Sox benefit from a flawless start and promising young talent like Antonacci, the Cubs are addressing challenges related to pitching roles and integrating players arriving late due to unforeseen circumstances, including Moisés Ballesteros’ visa delay.
With key players like Seiya Suzuki and Munetaka Murakami transitioning to international play in Japan, and pitchers like Chris Murphy demonstrating flexibility and resilience post-injury, the coming weeks of spring training will be pivotal. How each team manages player development, roster decisions, and ongoing player health will determine their readiness for the 2026 MLB season and the World Baseball Classic.
