Marlins-Cubs opener postponed Thursday; split DH Saturday

CHICAGO -- An incoming storm led to the proactive postponement of the Cubs’ scheduled game against the Marlins on Thursday, when the North Siders were set to open a seven-game homestand at Wrigley Field.

Thursday’s game will be made up as the second half of a split doubleheader on Saturday, with planned first-pitch times of 2:20 p.m. ET/1:20 CT and 7:40 p.m. ET/6:40 CT. Gates for the second game of the twin bill will open approximately an hour prior to the start of the game (subject to change and based on the completion of the first game).

Righty Jameson Taillon, who was activated from the injured list and was scheduled to start Thursday, will start Friday. The Cubs will start Shota Imanaga and Javier Assad in Saturday's doubleheader, though the order is to be determined. Both teams have the ability to carry a 27th player for the twin bill. Kyle Hendricks will stay on schedule to start Sunday's finale.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said A.J. Puk, Thursday’s probable starter, will start Friday’s game. Jesús Luzardo will start one of Saturday’s games (which game is to be announced). The starter for Saturday’s other game is also to be announced.

The rainout comes after the Cubs went 5-4 across a 10-day road trip through San Diego, Seattle and Arizona that strained the team’s pitching staff. Taillon’s return to the rotation should help begin the process of restoring some order to a starting staff that has also weathered the loss of lefty Justin Steele (on the IL and out until May due to a left hamstring issue) and a rough start to the year by Hendricks.

Fans planning on attending Saturday’s doubleheader would be required to have separate tickets for each game. Fans on hand for Game 1 will need to exit the ballpark after the game’s completion. Mobile tickets via the MLB Ballpark app will automatically update with the makeup game information. No ticket exchange is necessary.