According to multiple reports, Darwin Barney will miss Opening Day after receiving five stitches in his left knee. Barney crashed into a side wall trying to make a catch in the third inning of Saturday’s exhibition in Houston.
Darwin Barney could be looking at a stint on the DL. The Cubs are expected to make the decision on whether or not to put Barney on the disabled list in the next two days.
With Barney out for Opening Day, Brent Lillibridge will get the start at second base.
The Cubs have not announced their final Opening Day roster. Teams have until 2:00pm CDT on Sunday to finalize their Opening Day rosters. Brent Lillibridge and Hisanori Takahashi are expected to be added to the 40-man roster prior to the deadline.
The Cubs were expected to begin the season with Starlin Castro at short, Barney at second and Luis Valbuena at third. Valbuena can play second and short as well. With Brent Lillibridge filling in for Barney, that leaves Steve Clevenger as the only backup infielder on Dale Sveum’s bench
The Cubs will have to make a roster move if it looks like Darwin Barney could miss significant time.