4 takeaways from the Cubs' 7-3 exhibition loss to the White Sox, including David Ross getting a 'clearer picture' of impending roster cuts

CHICAGO — Here are four takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ 7-3 loss to the White Sox in an exhibition game Sunday night at Wrigley Field.

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1. Roster moves are imminent.

The Cubs have until Thursday morning to trim their roster to 30 players, but manager David Ross said he’s getting a “clearer picture.”

The Cubs need to cut nine players from the roster training at Wrigley Field, and reliever Jharel Cotton didn’t help his chances Sunday as he allowed four consecutive two-out extra-base hits in the fifth inning that wiped out a 2-1 lead.

Before the game, the Cubs prescribed an 85-pitch limit for opening-day starter Kyle Hendricks, and Ross and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy thought it was best to pull Hendricks at 83 pitches with Yasmani Grandal at the plate.

Hendricks told Ross he could have pitched longer, but he was pulled with a 2-1 lead and runners at first and third with two out.

Cotton allowed three consecutive doubles, the last an RBI double by Luis Robert that scooted into the ivy in center field, and a triple to Leury Garcia.

In the seventh, left-hander Rex Brothers allowed hits to left-handed hitters Zack Collins and Luis Gonzalez and hurled a wild pitch that allowed Collins to score.

Six of the 39 players on the Wrigley Field roster are not on the 40-man roster.

Ross admitted he had a few kinks in his pregame preparation and plans to accelerate that routine before Monday night’s exhibition game against the Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

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2. Kyle Schwarber believes the Cubs are the ‘perfect team’ to combat multiple pitchers.

With three weeks to prepare for a 60-game schedule, there is strong belief that teams will opt to use multiple pitchers.

Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber likened that strategy to September baseball with expanded rosters (which won’t be allowed in 2020). He believes the Cubs offense can more than hold its own against multiple pitchers.

“I think there’s going to be more bullpen arms, and you’re going to have to get used to seeing some names out there that you don’t want us to be seeing,” Schwarber said. “But I think it’s going be a plus overall for us because I think we’re the perfect team made for this, for the sprint.

“The designated hitter lengthens our lineup. It lengthens our defense and it gives our pitchers one less thing to worry about.”

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3. David Ross and players are making small adjustments.

Sunday night’s game served as a test run for new protocols to guard against the coronavirus.

Cubs manager David Ross said he structured some workouts so players could get acclimated to the new protocols, some of which reduce downtime in the clubhouse and mingling.

“They’ll find what works for them,” Ross said.

For Kyle Schwarber, it started with arriving at the ballpark later than usual. Schwarber added that he and his teammates will need to be more “self-dependent” on looking at videotape because they’re not allowed to touch computers for sanitary purposes. He said hitters will continue to have “rallies” under hitting coach Anthony Iapoce.

“It’s more slight adjustments instead of this whole big adjustment,” Schwarber said.

Schwarber said the biggest hurdle to clear is receiving negative COVID-19 tests every other day.

“Luckily we have things that say ‘six feet apart,’ “Schwarber said. “But there’s going to be times where I’m (not) going to be six feet apart. It’s just inevitable, passing through the bat rack and things like that. Luckily it’s not a 15-minute thing we’re going to be passing.

“We’re all trying to not limit our time at the field but be smart and useful with our time at the field.”

Anthony Rizzo admitted he likes to chat with opponents at first base, but “that stuff will be out of my mind when it’s time to play, and I’ll do everything we can to win.”

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4. Tyler Chatwood earned the third spot in the rotation.

As anticipated, Tyler Chatwood will face the Brewers in the series finale Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Jon Lester will start Wednesday night’s exhibition finale against the Twins, followed by Alec Mills. Lester has been on a deliberate schedule since the start of summer training, and he threw a bullpen session before Sunday’s game.

The current alignment would set up Lester and Mills to face the Reds in the first two games of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

David Ross wouldn’t commit to a piggyback system at the back end of the rotation.

“These bullpen guys were stretched out for a reason, and that’s probably what you’re leading into that,” Ross said. “That’s why they’re stretched out.”

Ross added the relievers needed to be stretched not only in an effort to protect the starters, but also to avoid using relievers on consecutive days.

“We’re going to have to rely on certain guys to finish games too,” Ross said.

Ross said left-handed reliever Kyle Ryan is on schedule to be ready for the start of the season. Ryan, who made a team-high 73 appearances last season, missed a week because of a “process-based delay” in his COVID-19 testing.

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