SCOTTSDALE and GLENDALE, Ariz. — The heat in the Arizona desert is a familiar foe for Chicago Cubs infielder Scott Kingery, a Phoenix native. But even for someone accustomed to blazing temperatures, the current conditions are testing the limits of endurance for players during spring training. As temperatures soared to 101 degrees Fahrenheit during Wednesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, teams are adjusting schedules and taking extra precautions to protect players from the record-breaking heat.
The early arrival of triple-digit temperatures – marking the earliest 100-degree reading in the Phoenix area – is forcing both the Cubs and the White Sox to rethink their routines. The extreme heat isn’t just a discomfort; it’s a safety concern that impacts performance and requires a proactive response from managers and training staff. Adjustments range from shifting practice times to emphasizing hydration and providing more opportunities for players to find relief from the sun.
Record Temperatures Prompt Schedule Changes
Wednesday’s game between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch was called after eight innings due to the heat, a sign of how seriously the league is taking the situation. Between Thursday and Saturday, temperatures are expected to reach at least 104 degrees, with a high of 106 degrees on Friday. Both Chicago teams have already begun to alter their schedules. The Cubs have moved their split-squad games on Friday – against the Cincinnati Reds at Sloan Park and on the road against the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium – to evening start times, shifting from 1:05 p.m. And 1:10 p.m. To 6:05 p.m. And 6:10 p.m. Respectively. Their Saturday game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex has also been moved to a 6:10 p.m. Start.
The White Sox have also made adjustments, with their Saturday contest against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark moved from a 1:05 p.m. Start to 6:05 p.m. While Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe is still scheduled for a 12:10 p.m. Start, the forecast calls for a high of 106 degrees.
Players Adapt to the Intense Heat
Kingery, despite his familiarity with the Arizona climate, emphasized the unique challenge of this heatwave. “I don’t know where this 106 is coming from, but find shade,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “I mean, you’ve got to hydrate and find shade as much as you can. But I think it’s great they moved to night games because it does feel like your skin’s burning when you’re out there. It’s a little different than Florida. In Florida, if you’re outside, you’re sticky. It’s like dense air, and this one just feels like you’re on fire.”
Some players, like Dominican Republic native Edward Cabrera, appear less affected by the dry heat, drawing on experience with humidity in his home country and during his time with the Miami Marlins. “You can’t control the weather, so I don’t necessarily get caught up on whether it’s hot or what the temperature is,” Cabrera said through an interpreter. “I try to always go out there and give it your absolute best.”
Team Adjustments and Player Safety
Both teams are taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks posed by the extreme temperatures. Cubs manager Craig Counsell is shifting the team’s work indoors, utilizing their new performance center, and rescheduling meetings to later in the day. “This new building will help out a lot for the hitters, so we’ll take advantage of that,” Counsell said. “Then we’ll take advantage, we’ve actually saved some meeting time and team time together for this weekend that we’ll use.”
White Sox manager Will Venable is also prioritizing player safety, scaling back pregame workouts and emphasizing hydration. “Our whole plan here was that these last 10 games for us, that we revisit some of our team fundamentals at game speed,” Venable said Tuesday. “Today we ended up making that kind of our last day of doing that with the heat coming. We are going to back off a little bit in these pregame workouts just to be mindful of where we’re at and really make decisions on a daily basis.” He added, “We have all of our trainers and strength coaches with all the resources they need to support these guys with hydration…We challenge these guys to continue to hydrate and do the things they need to do to recover.”
Looking Ahead
The high temperatures are expected to persist through the weekend, with the forecast not dropping below 99 degrees before the Cubs depart for Chicago on Tuesday. The White Sox have a Cactus League home finale scheduled for Sunday against the Seattle Mariners, with a projected high of 102 degrees. Both teams will continue to monitor the conditions and adjust their plans accordingly, prioritizing the health and safety of their players as they navigate this unusual heatwave during spring training. The focus remains on adapting to the challenging conditions and ensuring players are prepared for the upcoming season, despite the extreme Arizona heat.
What we have is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation evolves.
