The Cubs reduced their spring roster yet again with five more moves Wednesday, bringing the total to 39 remaining. That means there are just 13 more players to trim before setting the 26 who will be heading north, maybe, when camp breaks.
Right-handed pitcher James Norwood was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, while righties Dakota Mekkes and Ben Taylor were assigned to minor league camp. Lefties Wyatt Short and Danny Hultzen were likewise assigned to the minors.
As for that early comment about maybe heading north, MLB has scheduled a league-wide conference call for Friday to address Covid-19 concerns.