In 20 at-bats so far, Bote is hitting .500 with two home runs, nine RBI and a 1.424 on-base plus slugging percentage. The 31-year-old looks plenty comfortable on and off the field.

In the spring of 2019, Bote signed a five-year, $15 million contract with the Cubs. From 2020 to ’22, Bote slashed .212/.291/.370 in 183 games.

Bote missed half of the 2022 season with a shoulder injury and didn’t appear in the majors in 2023. “David’s been with the organization for a long time,” Counsell said.

He became a free agent when the Cubs bought out (for $1M) the $7M club option on his services for the 2025 season.

Bob Bote: "I thought they would send a lefty up, but when they panned to the on-deck circle, I saw David. That surprised me a lot. My son Mark said, 'Dad, he's going to hit a home run.' ...

Even with the rocky track record, Bote has hit well in small samples during his most recent MLB looks (.272/.320/.420 in 175 plate appearances since ’22 — albeit with a 33% strikeout rate).

Bote wasn't a prized prospect and had to battle for at-bats and opportunities. He was a roster filler for Iowa in 2014, a role usually handed to players for whom teams don't see a bright future.

Through nine Cactus League games, Bote has gone 10-for-22 at the plate with two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs. He started off the spring red hot as he was 8-for-12 with one home run, two ...

Bote was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Dodgers on Tuesday. Bote impressed during the spring, batting .400 with two home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored over 30 at-bats in 14 games.

Padres right-hander Cole Paplham was hit in the face by a 102.4 mph line drive off the bat of Dodgers minor-leaguer Aaron Bracho in the eighth inning. Paplham was taken away for treatment.