The Chicago Cubs have optioned right-hander Hayden Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa. Jose Cuas and Luke Little have grabbed the final two bullpen spots on the roster while Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks have also made the team. A rough spring did not help Wesneski's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster as he posted a 9.82 ERA across six outings, two of which were starts, spanning 11 innings of work. He made 11 starts and 34 appearances for the Cubs in the 2023 season, working to a 4.63 ERA across 89 1/3 innings of work. The righty is likely the club's first arm to be promoted upon an injury to a member of the pitching staff but he remains well off the fantasy radar at this point.

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad, Drew Smyly, and Hayden Wesneski are expected to compete for the fifth starting pitcher role during Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Former first-round pick Jordan Wicks is also in the mix, but Bastian notes that he's likely "better served" opening the year at Triple-A. That leaves three pitchers for presumably just one spot in the rotation, assuming the top four starters remain healthy and productive this spring. All three hurlers have potential; Assad limited hits and runs last year, Wesneski boasted a .224 OBA and 10.67 K/9 following the All-Star Break, and Smyly is a lefty with plenty of MLB experience. The two odd men out will be top candidates for a shift to the bullpen, even if temporary.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Hayden Wesneski is expected to replace Justin Steele (forearm) in the rotation. Wesneski was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and used out of the bullpen. He allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out four in Tuesday's relief appearance. According to Cubs manager David Ross, Steele will miss his next two starts, and the plan is for Wesneski to replace him in the starting rotation. Wesneski struggled with a 5.03 ERA and 1.32 WHIP before being demoted to Triple-A Iowa in mid-May. The 25-year-old will draw a two-start week. He has a tough matchup on the road Tuesday against the Angels and then is scheduled to face the Giants Sunday. Despite having two starts, Wesneski is considered a risky fantasy option in Week 11.

The Chicago Cubs recalled right-hander Hayden Wesneski on Tuesday, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 25-year-old began the 2023 campaign in the Cubs rotation, making eight starts and posting a 5.03 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 16.7% strikeout rate across 39.1 innings of work. However, manager David Ross will use Wesneski out of the bullpen this time around, as the club already has a full rotation. The former sixth-round pick can be left on the waiver wire for now, as he likely won't be used in late-inning situations, but fantasy managers can take a chance on him if he happens to rejoin the starting staff.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Hayden Wesneski was on his game in a winning effort over the visiting San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon. The right-hander hurled five innings of one-run ball while allowing four hits and one walk alongside three strikeouts. The lone damage off the rookie came on a second-inning solo home run from Padres third baseman Manny Machado but that would be the lone extra-base hit he surrendered on the afternoon. It's been an uneven start to the season for Wesneski who allowed 10 runs across his first two starts before settling in and allowing only four across his next two. After allowing just one earned run in his fifth start he'll carry a 5.24 ERA into his next scheduled start against the Nationals in Washington on Tuesday.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski has been named the fifth-starter heading into Opening Day. He was competing with Adrian Sampson for the final spot in the rotation. The right-hander has been excellent this spring. He's allowed just six runs (four earned) on 13 hits with a 22/6 K/BB ratio across 12 innings. The 25-year-old looked solid during his brief time with the Cubs last season. He posted a 2.18 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 33 innings last season. Wesneski could be worth a look as a late-round option in deep leagues.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Hayden Wesneski is considered the favorite to win the team's fifth rotation spot to open the regular season. Manager David Ross calls the "it factor" for what Wesneski has. Chicago acquired him from the New York Yankees in 2022 for Scott Effross. The 25-year-old stands at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds and could be an X-factor in a rotation that also includes Marcus Stroman, Jameson Taillon, Drew Smyly and Justin Steele. Wesneski is beating out Adrian Sampson by not allowing a run so far in Cactus League play over 8 2/3 innings, striking out 11 and walking two. He looked great in his MLB debut for the Cubs last year (2.18 ERA, 33 K's in 33 innings) and could be worth a look as a late-round flier in deep mixed leagues.