Cubs’ Kevin Alcántara is competing for an Opening Day roster spot, finally pain-free after offseason surgery

MESA, Ariz. – Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcántara finally underwent surgery in October to address a sports hernia that he said Wednesday had been affecting him since last February.

“Tough recovery,” he said Wednesday. “But I’m feeling so good right now. I’m continuing to build up for the first game. … I’m feeling strong right now, but I need to continue working on that.”

Alcántara is competing for the fourth outfielder spot this spring, with Justin Dean and non-roster invitees Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick also vying to make the opening day roster.

“I’m here for the team,” Alcántara said he told manager Craig Counsell. “Whatever opportunity you bring me, I want to … do my best. I feel so happy with that.”

Alcántara was on the cusp of making the Tokyo Series roster last year, left off in favor of third baseman Matt Shaw. This year, Alcántara has the advantage of being pain-free, and having last year to point to as proof of concept.

“Kevin did a heck of a job last September,” Counsell said this week. “There was not a lot of playing time, it was super sporadic. I thought his preparation was great. In the clubhouse, he was great. When he got chances, executed what we wanted him to do. And I thought that was really important. And he had success. It was a successful month.”

Alcántara didn’t get many chances. In his 10 appearances, he only had 11 at-bats. But he recorded four hits, an RBI and a stolen base. Then when it was time for the Cubs to select their playoff roster, they included him for both rounds.

“That tells you what happened that last month,” Counsell said. “And now it’s just, you’ve got to continue to get better.

“The issue is, when you put a good team together, it gets harder to make that team. It gets harder to find at-bats, find plate appearances. He’s young. When the runway for opportunity comes, that’s not quite clear yet. But I also think Kevin showed that he could, in a part time role, be a contributor. And certainly take note of that.”

Last year in Triple-A, Alcántara had a streaky season. He finished with just a .266 batting average, while hitting a career-high 17 home runs.

He did so while playing through pain.

“It’s a nagging injury that you can play with but just is uncomfortable,” Counsell said. “… It doesn’t take you off the field, but from a running perspective, explosiveness perspective, from a ‘how many swings do I have in me today’ preparation perspective, all those things, that’s very real.”

Alcántara is looking forward to showing what he can do without those limitations.

“I hope I’m healthy every year,” he said, “and continue to play a lot of games and help the team.”

Notes:

• The Cubs announced their minor-league coaching staff Wednesday. Changes include new managers for High-A South Bend and the Arizona Complex League. In South Bend, Daniel Wasinger was promoted from bench coach. And former major-league infielder Dixon Machado, who also spent stints in the Cubs’ farm system, will be at the helm in the ACL.
• Counsell announced Wednesday that right-hander Jameson Taillon is set to start the Cubs’ Cactus League opener Friday against the White Sox at Sloan Park. Left-hander Matthew Boyd is penciled in for Saturday’s home game against the Rangers.