Why Cubs’ Keegan Thompson made his 2023 spring-training debut a week after the opener

MESA, Ariz. — Right-hander Keegan Thompson was notably absent from the Cubs’ first week of spring-training games. But that was by design, according to pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.

Thompson made his spring debut in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory Saturday against the Angels. He pitched one inning and retired all three batters he faced.

‘‘The thing that stands out to me about Keegan is pitchability,’’ manager David Ross said. ‘‘Any situation, he seems to be ready for because of his starter background. The multiple innings is a value to be able to reset at times.’’

Ross made it clear at the beginning of camp that Thompson would be in a relief role rather than competing for the fifth rotation spot — one that’s only expected to be open until right-hander Kyle Hendricks (strained right shoulder) returns.

‘‘We know how valuable he is and what he can do,’’ Hottovy said of Thompson. ‘‘He’s always going to be able to go into the starter routine, so we can build him up in spring training two, three, four innings and get him back on that routine. It was harder for him to get into the reliever routine and to feel how that works.’’

Even when he was in the bullpen last season, Thompson had at least three days between outings. So Hottovy said the Cubs wanted him to focus on adjusting to a reliever routine in the offseason.

‘‘Some of the programming you want to start implementing with him — not only from the throwing perspective but also in the weight room and training room — is getting him on a routine where he could recover faster,’’ Hottovy said. ‘‘And so part of that is some physical stuff, like body and trying to get him in the right position. Some of it’s just routine-oriented. Some of it’s throwing program.’’

Thompson estimated at the beginning of camp that he would throw a couple of bullpen sessions and a couple of live batting-practice sessions before getting into games. That’s exactly how his schedule panned out. 

Left-handed reliever Brandon Hughes also has been on a later schedule. He’s set to make his first game appearance Sunday against the Rockies.

Hughes, whom the Cubs originally drafted as an outfielder in 2017, threw just shy of 75 innings at all levels last season, by far the most in his career.

‘‘We wanted to make sure we ramped him up smartly,’’ Hottovy said, ‘‘knowing how much he means to us this year. He’s a guy who’s still relatively new to pitching.’’

Cubs 2, Angels 0

• In his second outing of spring training, right-hander Jameson Taillon allowed one hit in three scoreless innings and had four strikeouts.

• Patrick Wisdom (groin tightness) returned to the lineup as the designated hitter. He went 1-for-2 in his first game since the Cactus League opener a week ago.

• The Cubs scored both their runs in the third inning. Nico Hoerner tripled to drive in Mike Tauchman, then Eric Hosmer scored Hoerner with a single through the right side.

• On deck: Cubs at Rockies, 2:10 p.m. Sunday, Scottsdale, Marquee, Drew Smyly vs. Austin Gomber.