When the Cubs arrived in Mesa for Spring Training, four of their five spots in the starting rotation were spoken for, leaving one spot to compete for this spring.

Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Shōta Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon were locks. Javier Assad, Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, and Drew Smyly were the four favorites in the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, with Ben Brown and Caleb Kilian as darkhorse prospects likely destined for roles in Iowa to start the regular season.

With the Cubs Cactus League schedule a third completed, I figured today was a good day to check in on where things stand with those pitchers hoping to crack the Cubs rotation when they make their way to Chicago later this month.

Javier Assad

Assad spent time with the Cubs, filling in for Keegan Thompson and Marcus Stroman, and made ten starts for the Cubs while appearing in 32 games. Assad pitched to a 3.05 ERA in 109.1 innings of work and had a 2.3 fWAR for Chicago in 2023.

Spring hasn’t been as kind to Assad — who was probably the favorite for the final rotation spot coming into camp — who has allowed six earned runs on eight hits and walked three hitters in two appearances this spring.

Cactus League Stats through March 4: 2 G, 1 S, 3.1 IP, 16.20 ERA, 3.30 WHIP

Jordan Wicks

Jordan Wicks was a sleeper for this role entering camp but got the ball in the Cubs’ first Cactus League game against the White Sox on February 23. Wicks has made three starts this spring — including one on Monday against the Padres — and has been solid.

Wicks has allowed two earned runs in eight innings while striking out three and walking one. Wicks is a soft-tossing left-hander with a solid changeup and curveball offering.

Wicks has looked good this spring, and the Cubs allowed him to pitch into the fourth inning against the Padres on Monday. If Wicks continues to pitch the way he has in his first three starts this spring, he’s got an excellent chance to win the final spot in the rotation. Wicks would give the Cubs three left-handers in the rotation to open the season.

Cactus League Stats through March 4: 3 G, 3 S, 8.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.37 WHIP

Hayden Wesneski

Wesneski started 11 games for the Cubs last season and made 34 total appearances, pitching to a 4.63 ERA. Wesneski dominated right-handed hitters last season but allowed opposing left-handers to crush him, with opposing lefties owning a 1.023 OPS in 2023.

Like Assad, Wesneski has had a tough go of it this spring, entering play today with a 21.00 ERA after forking up seven earned runs on eight hits in three innings of work across two appearances in Arizona.

Cactus League Stats through March 4: 2 G, 1 S, 3.0 IP, 21.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP

Drew Smyly

Smyly started 23 games for the Cubs last season and made another 18 appearances out of the bullpen, posting a 5.00 ERA in 142.1 innings for the Cubs.

Smyly hasn’t been impressive this spring, owning an 11.25 ERA (five earned runs allowed in four innings of work across two appearances) and a 2.50 WHIP this spring. He’s walked three hitters and struck out only one.

Cactus League Stats through March 4: 2 G, 2 S, 4.0 IP, 11.25 ERA, 2.00 WHIP

Ben Brown & Caleb Kilian

As mentioned, Brown (and Kilian) likely end up in Iowa to start the season, but both have been impressive in the first third of the spring schedule for the Cubs.

Brown has allowed one run on five hits in two relief appearances this spring (2.25 ERA, 2.00 WHIP). Kilian has allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks in two relief appearances in Arizona. Kilian owns a 2.25 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP through four innings.

Kilian will get the ball tonight against the Royals under the lights for his third appearance and fourth start of the spring.

More Chicago Cubs from Bleacher Nation

• The Cubs lost to the Padres on Monday, but Jordan Wicks was impressive in his third start of the spring. Garrett Cooper made his Cubs debut on Monday and drove in the Cubs’ only run of the afternoon with a fifth-inning double. Brett has more on the loss to the Padres:

• Shōta Imanaga made his U.S./Cubs/Spring Training debut this weekend, throwing 2.1 innings and 40-ish pitches as he begins to stretch out for the MLB season ahead. Brett dove into Imanaga’s first Cactus League start with the Cubs.

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What’s on deck?

• The Cubs play under the lights for the first time this spring today, taking on the Royals at 7:05 PM CT. Caleb Kilian will get the start, and you can catch the action on Marquee.

• The Blackhawks visit the Coyotes tonight. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM CT on NBC Sports Chicago and ESPN+