MESA, Ariz. — Like nearly every Cubs fan, there was a moment of panic for Justin Steele on Friday afternoon.

After taking a one-hopper off the left knee from Luis Matos, he tried to get up to field the ball.

“I went to put weight on my leg and it just like wasn’t really working, so I just kind of fell down and rolled into it,” Steele said Saturday. “Yeah, for like probably 15 seconds it just kind of seemed like from the knee down my leg was like kind of stove up.”

After walking gingerly off under his own power and testing it out in the dugout, he realized that both he and the Cubs had avoided a worst-case scenario.

“Once we got back in the dugout got in the tunnel and started like moving around getting some blood flowing, blood started coming back,” Steele said. “I’d just say it’s sore right now. A little bruised up, but nothing to worry about, really.”

The Cubs are confident that the lefty will make his first career Opening Day start when the Cubs open their 2024 campaign in Texas on Thursday. He went through his normal day-after-start process, playing long toss from 120 feet and playing catch. On Monday or Tuesday, he’ll throw a little longer bullpen session, estimating he might throw 35 to 40 pitches instead of the usual 25 to 30.

“Since I didn’t get my normal pitch count the other day but we’re not too overly worried about it,” Steele said. “Just treat it normal.”

Cooper makes team, veterans opt out

Garrett Cooper has played nearly 500 games in the big leagues, yet there was still something special about the phone call he received Friday afternoon.

It was his agent, informing him that he would be making the Cubs’ Opening Day roster. Cooper signed this spring as a non-roster invitee and has posted a .833 OPS with 2 home runs this spring.

“You feel like a kid again getting that phone call. Even though I’ve been up here for seven years, when you come in on an NRI you never know what to expect,” Cooper said. “So just happy to be here, happy to join this team and getting ready to start the year.”

Manager Craig Counsell also confirmed that veterans Dominic Smith and Carl Edwards Jr. opted out of their minor-league deals. Both are likely to explore options across the league.

The Cubs currently have a full 40-man roster but should have a spot open when they put Caleb Kilian on the 60-day IL. That will allow them to select Cooper’s contract and add him to the roster. The Cubs always knew it would be difficult to add more than one of their NRI players to their roster.

If Smith and Edwards don’t land elsewhere and the Cubs can find a way to clear another 40-man spot, then they might be able to add one of those veterans into the fold.

For now, the Cubs have chosen to go with Cooper, who gives Counsell an option at DH, first base and in the outfield.

“Garrett kinda proved this spring he is what he’s been as a player and as a hitter,” Counsell said. “It fills a role on the team we feel like that fits in to complement some other players.”

Injury updates

Ian Happ (left hamstring) was out of the lineup for the second straight day. He has played in just 3 games since the end of February after suffering a hamstring strain. Counsell said Opening Day is not a concern for the Gold Glove winner.

“So we’re spending a couple of days just kind of running with Happ,” Counsell said. “Kind of he’s plateaued. Obviously, he’s playing and he’s gonna play again on Monday, but we’re trying to get him over this plateau with some running.

“The goal is obviously to put [the injury] behind him and it’s not quite behind him yet.”

David Peralta (elbow) will stay in Arizona to open the season. He is still recovering from offseason surgery and is in a throwing progression. He’s only manned the DH spot in Cactus League games.

“We’ve got to get him to a good enough point where he can play the outfield and he’s not there yet,” Counsell said.

Nick Madrigal (right hamstring strain) will play in a minor league game on Sunday. His status for Opening Day is still undetermined.

“We’re trending in a really good place with Nick,” Counsell said. “He’s passing every test [and] is ready to start playing in some games.

“Just gonna have to decide do we want Nick to get consistent game action because we’ve got three days of games left essentially after tonight.”

Madrigal and Alexander Canario are competing for the final bench spot on the 26-man roster. How Madrigal and Happ progress over the next few days will determine who breaks camp with the team.

If Madrigal and Happ are healthy and full go, the Cubs can option Canario to start the season. Canario provides insurance for Happ, too, in that he can play left field and Happ can man the DH to keep him off his feet.

Next Up

The Cubs travel to Peoria, Ariz. for their final road game of the spring. The Cubs will take on the Mariners with Kyle Hendricks getting the start opposite Logan Gilbert.