It will be a scorching final full week of spring training, with projected temperatures over 100 degrees in the Phoenix area. The expected extreme heat has already led to time changes for some Cubs and Sox games.
The Cubs aren’t ready to officially announce the rotation order to begin the season, but with how they’re currently lined up for spring games, they are positioned to go with Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton and Shota Imanaga against the Washington Nationals to open the season.
Every Monday during spring training, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox.
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Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon struggles again in spring start
Jameson Taillon of Canada throws a pitch against Panama during the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium on March 8, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Jameson Taillon‘s first spring outing since coming back from the World Baseball Classic looked similar to his first three Cactus League starts.
And not in a good way.
Taillon surrendered 10 runs on eight hits and walked four batters in 3 1/3 innings Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing a troubling performance for the right-hander. Taillon’s cutter was hit hard by the Dodgers, with two home runs coming off the pitch.
Through 9 1/3 innings in Cactus League play, Taillon has allowed 21 hits, 23 runs, eight homers, seven walks and struck out six.
“No one wants to go out and give up 10 runs or whatever it was, it’s not a good feeling whether you’re playing in a high school game or in a big-league game,” Taillon said. “I’m really happy it’s happening now and that we’re not picking up the pieces in April, May or September. I’m glad that we have things that I can work on now.
“I’m out there trying, it’s not like I’m out there just blowing this off, I’m not out there saying ‘I don’t care about giving up a home run’ or ‘this doesn’t matter,’ like it obviously matters. You’re playing, you’re competing against other guys who are at a high level. So to sit here and say I don’t care would be a lie.”
Taillon called Sunday’s start “a big step back” after feeling things were trending in the right direction while pitching with Canada in the World Baseball Classic. He believes the struggles stem from a mix of mechanical problems within his delivery and mental challenges now that he’s had a few bad spring outings. Taillon speculated he might be pitching away from contact a little bit because of the hard contact he’s allowed.
Taillon has been working with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and the team’s pitching group to use his lower half more effectively. Tweaking and making adjustments during bullpens and in the pitch lab is not an excuse, Taillon said, for his in-game performances this spring.
“I am not a guy who just accepts bad results or my stuff not being where I want it,” Taillon said. “I’m always tinkering behind the scenes, and it’s a fine line of tinkering to stay sharp, or tinkering to mess yourself up. And right now, I’ve tinkered a little bit and messed myself up, and now it’s just about tinkering to get back to where I know I can be.
“I feel like once the season gets going, I know what I can do. I know I can work my way through a lineup and execute pitches. That being said, I have to put my body in a position to execute the pitches and do what I know I can do. So that’ll be what the next 10 days is, just finding a way to get back to that.”
Sox outfielder Everson Pereira is building volume after tightness in the right side
Chicago White Sox center fielder Everson Pereira smiles as he takes live batting practice during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Everson Pereira played three innings on March 9 when he made his Cactus League debut with the White Sox after missing time because of tightness in his right side.
“First thing he said was that he wanted to go back out there when I told him he was done,” manager Will Venable said last week.
A couple of days after the game, Pereira said through an interpreter that he was “feeling good, very good.”
“Excited, of course, just a couple at-bats, but I’ve been feeling pretty good,” Pereira said.
The outfielder was one of the early standouts at camp before the setback. He entered Sunday 2-for-11 with one home run and one RBI in four games.
The Sox acquired Pereira as part of a trade during the offseason from the Tampa Bay Rays. He is vying for a spot on the roster.
Venable said the Sox think Pereira has enough time to build up for the start of the regular season.
“We’re taking it day by day with him, knowing those types of injuries are sensitive,” Venable said. “And we made sure he was good to go. But he’s got to build some volume, build his legs up, get at-bats. But we anticipate that if everything goes well, he’ll be ready for opening day.”
Addressing the topic, Pereira said, “God’s time is perfect. I’ll do the best I can during that time.”
Pereira’s goals for the remainder of camp begin with “just trying to stay healthy.”
He also wants to “get everything in sync on my game — my timing, my bat speed, everything. I just want to have everything ready for when the season starts.”
Number of the week: 3.98
The Sox entered Sunday leading the Cactus League with a 3.98 ERA.
Week ahead: Cubs
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell speaks with members of the press after practice during spring training at Sloan Park on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Monday: at Guardians, 8:05 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Angels, 8:05 p.m., 104.3 the Score
Wednesday: at Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m.
Thursday: off
Friday: vs. Reds, 8:05 p.m.; at Athletics, 8:10 p.m., Marquee
Saturday: at Mariners, 8:10 p.m., Marquee, 104.3 the Score
Over the course of a big-league season, there inherently are times when players, coaches and staff miss out on being part of family moments.
Manager Craig Counsell, though, made it back to Wisconsin to watch his daughter, Rowan, play for a basketball state title. Counsell was away from Cubs camp Friday and Saturday, watching Rowan, a junior at Whitefish Bay High School outside of Milwaukee, play in the Division 2 state semifinal and championship game. Rowan put up 10 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a 1-point victory for the school’s first girls basketball state title.
“You’re grateful to be able to experience those moments with your family and glad I got to do it,” Counsell said. “It was a pretty incredible night and definitely made some memories.”
Counsell said he had more nerves watching his daughter play than any game he played in during his big-league career. He had helped coach about half of his daughter’s team for about five or six years when they were younger.
“You’re happy because they’ve really accomplished something, achieved something that will stay with them for a long time, and that makes you happy,” Counsell said. “And she’s worked really hard, and all the girls have worked super hard at it.”
Week ahead: White Sox
Chicago White Sox catcher Korey Lee runs the bases during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Monday: at Rangers, 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday: vs. Athletics, 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday: off
Thursday: vs. Diamondbacks, 8:05 p.m.; at Padres, 8:10 p.m., CHSN
Friday: at Angels, 2:10 p.m.
Saturday: at Reds, 8:05 p.m.; vs. Dodgers (spring breakout game), 5:30 p.m., CHSN
Sunday: vs. Mariners, 2:05 p.m. CHSN
Monday, March 23: at Athletics, 1:05 p.m. (spring finale)
Korey Lee has been on the go this spring.
The Sox catcher is tied for second on the team with four stolen bases.
“In the offseason, I kind of sat down and reflected on it and seeing what I can do,” Lee said last week. “I think I’m an athlete and just kind of picking my spots to go and talking with our baserunning coach, José (Leger), he’s been fantastic for me and talking to Will (Venable) and talking to our coaching staff and seeing what I can do.
“Last year, I was kind of (in) that pinch runner role and took it to heart this offseason. Got a little bit faster and a little bit leaner and was able to steal some bags now and kind of learn when to do that and how to do that. That’s part of my game now.”
Lee, 27, has six stolen bases over 187 career regular-season games, all of which came in 2024. He’s aiming to add to that total in 2026.
“Speed wins, speed kills, speed gets you runs and runs win you games,” Lee said. “So, that’s the type of baseball we are going to be playing in Chicago. I’m lucky to be a part of it.”
What we’re reading today
Quotable
“It’s going to make closing games in the regular season feel like nothing. That’s a pretty big stage to be doing it on and a pretty great team to be doing it against. Super fired up for him.” — Jameson Taillon on Cubs teammate Daniel Palencia recording the save for Venezuela in their win over Japan in Saturday’s WBC quarterfinal.