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Cubs aim to give Soler early confidence boost

ANAHEIM -- One of the reasons Jorge Soler started both of the Cubs' games against the Angels was to help build the young outfielder's confidence in hopes of having him get off to a good start, manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday.

"For him personally, the confidence component is big," Maddon said.

Soler started as the designated hitter in both games, and when the Cubs return to National League play, he's expected to share left field with Kyle Schwarber. Last season, Soler batted .262, but finished strong, hitting .474 (9-for-19) in the postseason.

"Tommy [La Stella] is well informed that he knows what his role is [as a bench player] and 'George' [Soler] is still being developed, in a sense, in becoming a regular player," Maddon said.