When the Cubs open the season in earnest against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix next Thursday, they'll start with a rotation of Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and Colin Rea.

Chicago lost both games against the Dodgers in the Tokyo series.

Dansby Swanson has been smart enough not to let pride prevent him from getting the treatment and rest he needs to maximize his value to the Cubs, even over the first two years of a huge seven-year contract that brings considerable pressure with it.

The Cubs will come back home from Tokyo without a win, save the one they managed over the Yomiuri Giants in an exhibition game before they took on the Dodgers.

In his rookie campaign, Ben Brown flashed a high-octane fastball and a devastating knuckle-curve, riding those two pitches to a 3.63 ERA in 55 big-league innings.

When big-leaguers reported to spring training in mid-February, they all went through a new ritual that (presumably) will become a part of the annual routine, along with posing for a few dozen photos and meeting with developers of MLB: The Show.