MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs optioned infielder Nico Hoerner and reliever Brad Wieck to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.
The move means David Bote will be the opening-day second baseman Thursday against Pittsburgh.
In other moves, Adbert Alzolay will break camp as the No. 5 starter in the rotation, and Alec Mills will be in the bullpen. Infielder Eric Sogard, 34, will also be added to the big league roster after entering camp on a minor league deal.
Hoerner, a first-round pick in the 2018 amateur draft out of Stanford, was in the mix for the starting job at second base. He had a strong spring, batting .361 with a homer and six RBI.
The Cubs could delay Hoerner’s eligibility for salary arbitration until after the 2023 season if they keep him in the minors for 30 to 50 days, unless there are changes in the next collective bargaining agreement. He batted .222 with no homers and 13 RBI last year during the pandemic-shortened season.
Veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin was released. Right-handers Shelby Miller, Pedro Strop and Trevor Megill and outfielder Rafael Ortega — all non-roster invitees — were assigned to minor league camp.
The 30-year-old Miller had pushed for a spot on Chicago’s staff, either as a starter or a swingman out of the bullpen. He allowed one earned run in nine innings this spring, striking out 12.
The moves reduced the Cubs’ spring roster to 31 players.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.