The Cubs announced Monday that pitchers and catchers will report to their spring-training complex in Mesa, Arizona Thursday, February 19 -- just 45 days from today. The first pitcher/catcher workouts will be the next day, Friday, February 20.
Position players will be expected in camp Tuesday, February 24 with the first full-squad workout the next day, Wednesday, February 25. The first spring-training games are eight days later, split-squad dates with the Athletics in Mesa and Giants in Scottsdale, Thursday, March 5. There's been no official announcement, but as in recent years, the Cubs could play an intrasquad game the day before the first game. (Perhaps with four outs an inning, as was the case last year!)
The team also completed all game times on its spring-training schedule Monday. All games will be at 1:05 Arizona time (2:05 CT through Saturday, March 7 and 3:05 CT starting Sunday, March 8 as Daylight Saving time begins), with the following exceptions:
Saturday, March 7 vs. Rockies at Talking Stick, 2:10 CT Thursday, March 12 vs. Angels at Tempe, 3:10 CT Friday, March 13 vs. Athletics at Las Vegas, 7:05 CT Saturday, March 14 vs. Athletics at Las Vegas, 2:05 CT Thursday, March 19 vs. Diamondbacks at Talking Stick, 8:40 CT Wednesday, March 25 vs. Mariners at Peoria, 9:05 CT Thursday, March 26 vs. Angels at Cubs Park, 6:05 CT Friday, April 3 vs. Diamondbacks at Chase Field, 8:40 CT Saturday, April 4 vs. Diamondbacks at Chase Field, 3:10 CT
The complete schedule with all dates is here. Start the countdown -- spring training is not far away!