40-year-old Turner not easing into things with Cubs -- here's why

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Four days after going through his first workout with the Cubs, veteran Justin Turner was in the lineup for a road game against the Padres. He collected two hits and drew a walk. Turner was back in the lineup on Wednesday at Scottsdale Stadium, playing first base against the Giants.

The 40-year-old Turner – with 16 Major League seasons and nearly 7,000 career plate appearances between the regular season and playoffs under his belt – could have taken a more gradual approach. Why the urgency to get on the field?

“Japan,” Turner said. “It definitely speeds things up. It’s a short runway for everyone. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve played. Jumping in and getting those ABs and getting that timing is important, because [in a couple weeks] we’re jumping on a bird and heading over there to play real games.”

Turner signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the North Siders last week to give manager Craig Counsell an option at first base, designated hitter, pinch-hit duties and, if needed, third base. And the veteran wants to be primed for the March 18-19 Tokyo Series against the Dodgers.

Counsell is already appreciating what Turner has brought to the fold.

“The thing you learn quickly about being around Justin,” Counsell said, “is that he has a very advanced feel for the game. He is just seeing things before most guys are seeing them. … That’s what one of his great tools is, frankly. Just how he’s able to see the game. Probably in the end, it’s one of those things that allows him to make adjustments quicker during the season.

“It’s fun to watch him hit. It’s a little different, right? It looks a little different the way he kind of stands up there, but he’s clearly worked really hard at creating a wonderful bat path and he’s got good strike-zone discipline, and it adds up to being a good offensive player.

Tokyo Series decision looming for Hoerner, Shaw
Both second baseman Nico Hoerner (right forearm surgery in October) and infielder Matt Shaw (left oblique soreness) are making progress in their respective comeback plans. Hoerner is making strides in a throwing program and getting fielding and hitting work in. Shaw is nearly built back up to full workouts.

What the Cubs have to decide soon is whether they will be a part of the contingent that travels to Japan on March 11 for the March 18-19 Tokyo Series against the Dodgers.

“That’s an added question that we have to answer in this,” Counsell said. “It’s something we have to think about – what’s the best thing for everybody with that added layer on it?”

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Counsell said the Cubs will likely be better positioned to map out Hoerner’s calendar by the coming weekend. If neither are deemed ready for the active roster in Japan, Chicago’s infield alternatives include Jon Berti, Vidal Bruján, Gage Workman (Rule 5 pick) and Nicky Lopez (non-roster invitee).

Imanaga keeps building for Opening Day
Shota Imanaga worked into the third inning in Wednesday’s 4-4 tie against the Giants, taking another step forward in his march toward the Opening Day start against the Dodgers on March 18 at the Tokyo Dome.

“In the first inning, my output was a little too much,” Imanaga said via interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “And then I feel like in the second and third inning, it dropped a little bit. So I think if I can maintain that output from the first inning as a starting pitcher, that’s my goal.”

Imanaga struck out six and walked one in his 2 2/3 innings, in which he allowed three runs on three hits (one home run). The number that matters most is that the lefty logged 57 pitches – up from the 39 he threw in a simulated game on Friday. Counsell said the goal would be to have Imanaga up to at least 65 pitches before the outing in Japan.

“There’s no question that we’ll have kind of a pitch count,” Counsell said. “But we also have to realize the intensity in that game is going to be way more. And that causes fatigue, so we have to take that into effect as well.”

Camp moves
The Cubs reduced their spring roster to 59 players on Wednesday by reassigning four players. Outfield prospect Owen Caissie (No. 54 on Pipeline’s Top 100 list) was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, while outfielder Brett Bateman, righty Brandon Birdsell and righty Antonio Santos were each returned to Minor League camp.