As rumored a few weeks ago, the Cubs will play in the first two games at the new Yankee Stadium, two exhibition games the weekend before the regular season begins:
The Cubs and Yankees will play the first exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium on April 3 at 6:05 p.m. CT and April 4 at 12:05 p.m.
"The Cubs are thrilled to be the Yankees' first opponent in the new Yankee Stadium and are honored to take part in this historic event," said Cubs chairman Crane Kenney. "[Cubs manager] Lou Piniella and eight of our players had the honor to partake in All-Star Game festivities that helped say farewell to Yankee Stadium last summer, and we look forward to participating in the opening of the Yankees' new ballpark next spring."
While it's an honor to be so chosen, it's a lot of travel -- to go from Mesa on April 2, to New York the next day, play two games in less than 24 hours, then on to Houston for Opening Day.