MESA, Ariz. -- In a bit of a surprise move -- at least to the player -- Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ian Happ will start the season at Triple-A Iowa, the team announced Saturday.
"We want to make sure he gets down there and gets consistent at-bats, especially from the left side," manager Joe Maddon said. "We consider him a huge part of our future."
Happ, 24, was a mainstay with the Cubs the past two seasons, highlighted by a 24-home run campaign in his rookie year in 2017. But last season, after a torrid spring followed by Happ hitting the first pitch of the 2018 season for a home run, he struggled to make contact.