MESA, Ariz. — Pete Crow-Armstrong has an annual tradition.

For the second year in a row, the center fielder has shown up at Cubs camp at Sloan Park with an eye-catching hairdo.

In 2024, he dyed his entire hair “Cubbie” blue. This year, it was a bleach blond look with bright, big blue stars painted on.

“Expected. Expected,” manager Craig Counsell said. “I like it better than last year’s look.”

On Wednesday, Crow-Armstrong walked around the complex with a hood on for most of the day. It was a milder day temperature-wise, so it wasn’t totally out of the ordinary.

But later that day, his girlfriend, Hailey, shared a picture of the new look on her Instagram story.

The Cubs have been taking photos throughout the week, so the look will be showcased throughout the year on the Wrigley Field videoboards — like his blue hair was last season.

New position for outfield prospect?

Alexander Canario has yet to establish himself as Chicago Cub.

The 24-year-old has appeared in just 21 games across 2 seasons, hitting .286 with 2 home runs in 45 plate appearances. But this year represents his last option year, so he’ll need to pass through waivers before being sent to the minors.

He’s been plagued by injuries, but the Cubs’ outfield depth — Ian Happ, Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki are all established — has limited opportunities, too.

[MORE: What comes next for Cubs after Alex Bregman’s decision?]

This spring, the Cubs will give him a run at another position — first base. Canario has never played anywhere but the outfield in his professional career.

“That’s something we’ve considered,” Counsell said. “We don’t have a lot of first baseman here and so that was a spot that we could be able to have some more at-bats and it’s a position that right-handed hitting, just kind of makes some sense.

“So, we’ll let him practice there a little more and see where we’re at.”

[MORE: How Cubs plan to develop Matt Shaw in the wake of Alex Bregman news]

Beyond Michael Busch, the Cubs don’t have a clear backup first base option. Jon Berti – who signed as a free agent this winter — made his big-league debut at first in the playoffs last year. Vidal Bruján played 0.1 of an inning at the position in the majors, too.

Developing Canario at the position could be another way to insert his bat into the lineup. The righty has 109 career minor-league home runs and an .847 OPS. He hit a whopping 37 homers in 2022 across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, too.

Live batting practices

The first full squad workout isn’t until Friday, but you wouldn’t have noticed that on Thursday at Cubs camp.

Eight different pitchers threw live batting practice on Fields 1 and 2, highlighted by Justin Steele. The Cubs lefty faced both Canario and Crow-Armstrong.