MESA, Ariz. -- There are few certainties when it comes to the Cubs' rotation for the coming campaign. One is that Chicago expects Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies to lead the way at the front of the staff.

Trevor Williams could also fit into that full-time starter mold, but manager David Ross said Tuesday that it remains too early to make any declarations about the back-end arms. Jumping to 162 games from 60 will require creativity and flexibility for all involved.

The Cubs plan on having a group of pitchers who could slide between the rotation and bullpen to help manage innings.

"Those guys will help define that for us," Ross said prior to the Cubs' 9-8 win over the A's at Sloan Park. "I think that everybody, to some extent, that either needs a break or is not pitching up to their capabilities, how we manage that throughout the season can change.

"So I don't want to put anybody in certain boxes on March 9. Let's continue to just see how that pans out and how guys are throwing, because like I've said a number of times, I think it's going to take a number of guys to get through this season.

"The one thing I can say about Trevor is he's got a history of taking the ball and giving innings, so that's definitely a feather in his cap."

During Tuesday's game, Williams logged three innings, limiting Oakland to one run on two hits in his 44-pitch performance. The righty struck out Matt Olson swinging twice, issued one walk and ended with four flyouts and three groundouts.

The No. 4 spot in the rotation appears poised for Williams, with Adbert Alzolay and Alec Mills the leading candidates for the fifth spot. Alzolay, Mills, Kohl Stewart and Shelby Miller (non-roster invitee) have been mentioned as possible swing-man options.

Williams -- signed to a one-year contract over the offseason -- worked 55 1/3 innings in 2020 and average 156 frames across the '17-19 tours with the Pirates. The veteran righty topped out at 170 2/3 innings in his solid '18 showing (3.11 ERA), and said he trained for a regular workload this year.

"I went into this offseason preparing my body and preparing my mind for 32 starts, as did a lot of guys," Williams said. "But it's going to be interesting to see how that happens. I think the biggest thing for clubs is just going to be health of their starting pitchers and how many of their guys can go deep into the season."

Worth noting
• Closer Craig Kimbrel made his second appearance of the spring on Tuesday, allowing one run to four batters faced. Kimbrel yielded a leadoff homer to Matt Chapman before setting down the next three in order. The closer was around 94-95 mph with his fastball.

• Cubs reliever Pedro Strop (non-roster invitee) was cleared to rejoin the team at camp on Tuesday, following testing negative for COVID-19. The veteran right-hander had been held away from the group for a few days after violating protocols.

• Making his Cactus League debut for the Cubs, veteran Eric Sogard (non-roster invitee) collected an RBI single in his first of two at-bats in Tuesday's game against his former A's team. Sogard is in the mix at second base or on the bench for Chicago.

• David Bote, who is vying for the starting job at second, drew a walk and contributed an RBI double in Tuesday's game. ... New left fielder Joc Pederson launched his third homer of the spring and added an RBI double later in the contest.

• Right-hander Ryan Tepera and lefty Brad Wieck were among the Cubs' relievers to throw live batting practice during Tuesday's morning workout.

Quotable
"We kind of have to get back to that identity of just being ourselves and enjoying the time we have with each other out here. I think that's going to show up on the field, too." -- Kris Bryant

Up next
Mills is scheduled to start on Wednesday in a 2:05 p.m. CT Cactus League clash with the Giants in Scottsdale, Ariz. Anthony Rizzo and Bryant should be back in the lineup after a day off Tuesday.