Heyward: 2021 all about 'pulling together'
CHICAGO -- As Cubs manager David Ross surveyed his team on workout day at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, he saw a mix of players with something to prove. It is Ross' goal to capitalize on that situation.
There are star players entering contract years. There are veteran players looking to prove they can still perform at an elite level. There are young players trying to establish themselves, role players out to show they can be everyday options, and the list goes on.
"I just think everybody is on a different mission," Ross said prior to Thursday's 5-3 Opening Day loss to the Pirates at Wrigley Field. "Everybody is on their own journey. It's a powerful thing to be able to prove what you truly believe, and I've heard the hearts and the words from each individual player in a lot of different [fashions]."
With that in mind, Ross addressed the team and acknowledged those individual paths that will wind through the Cubs' 2021 season. He wants the players to embrace those personal goals, but in a way that helps the group, too.
"I think it's exciting," Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward said Thursday morning. "Rossy talked about it yesterday in our opening meeting -- a lot of people have things to prove as individuals. But that's a fun thing when you talk about a group pulling together toward trying to win a championship. It's very easy to root for your guys."
From what he saw and heard in Spring Training, Ross believes his players can do just that.
"When you hear it come out of their [mouths] and you see it in their work, I think it's really powerful," Ross said. "That's kind of how I addressed the group in talking about kind of respecting the journey that each individual guy is on and what they're trying to accomplish."
Ross: Players have 'choice' to get vaccinated
Ross noted that he received a COVID-19 vaccine while the team was in Arizona for Spring Training, but the manager emphasized that his players have the freedom to make their own decision on that front.
"I have encouraged the guys to seek out all the information and make the decision for themselves," Ross said. "It's something that we're trying to get as many guys vaccinated as we possibly can, but at the end of the day, it's their choice. I've kind of left it up to them. I just want them to be informed. Our doctors have been great."
Clubs were informed on Monday that MLB and the MLBPA have agreed to relax certain health and safety protocols contained in the 2021 Operations Manual for fully vaccinated Tier 1 Individuals, and for clubs where 85 percent of their Tier 1 Individuals are fully vaccinated. As part of that memo, players and staff were strongly encouraged to receive one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines when eligible.
"That's a personal decision, a family decision," Heyward said. "By no means, if someone doesn't get it, does that mean you're not going to do everything you can in your power to be safe and keep others safe around you."
Worth noting
• As part of setting the Opening Day roster, the Cubs placed relievers Jonathan Holder (right shoulder strain) and Rowan Wick (left oblique strain), and catcher Austin Romine (right knee sprain) on the 10-day injured list.
• Minor League right-hander Tyson Miller is currently on MLB's COVID-19 related injured list. That removes him from Chicago's 40-man roster until he is able to be cleared and activated.
Quotable
"There's a lot of similar things. There's some things that are new. But I'll tell you what we do like, we do like that new. The guys that have been here, we welcome that with open arms. We're looking forward to having some fun this year." -- Heyward, on the Cubs' roster