MESA, Ariz. — It’s been a whirlwind last few days for the Cubs.

Between conversations with agents and other teams since the MLB lockout was lifted, a lot of items have occupied the attention of Jed Hoyer and his front office staff. Amid the chaos, though, Hoyer has found out a lot about what’s happened to players on the team’s 40-man roster in the 99 days they could not communicate.

Chief among those were the injury updates that he shared Monday morning as camp opened up. 

Adbert Alzolay, who was at the Cubs facilities over the weekend but hasn’t thrown, is experiencing shoulder tightness and will start the season on the injured list. 

“I don’t think it’s gonna be a minimum IL stint,” Hoyer said. 

That puts a wrench in the Cubs’ pitching options to start the season. Already facing a quick ramp up with a shortened spring training, the Cubs will be without a starter option to begin the season. 

Ian Happ, meanwhile, had surgery on his right elbow in February. Hoyer said it was a procedure just to clear up a “loose body type thing in his elbow.” Happ has been throwing, hitting and fielding since he’s been in camp. While Happ should start the season with the team, there’s the potential he could DH or play the field a little less to manage his elbow. 

David Bote, who had surgery on his left shoulder after last season, also will start the season on the injured list. 

“Probably a little bit difficult to say exactly when but I mean, certainly you won’t see him in April,” Hoyer said. “And then beyond that we’ll see.”

The injury update for the trio comes in addition to the news that reliever Codi Heuer had Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2022 season. 

All of that is part of a strange few days that Hoyer has had to open camp. The Cubs held their first official group workout Monday morning. 

“Still trying to get to the bottom of a lot of injuries right now, or just a lot of player fitness,” Hoyer said. “Guys are in various stages of fitness right now.”