MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs’ plan right now is that Nico Hoerner will play most of their games in 2025.

That much is clear.

“He’s not gonna miss much, if at all,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday at Sloan Park. “That’s what I’d say. I’m confident in that.”

Whether he’s ready for Opening Day or not is another question — and one that has been relatively unclear since the second baseman underwent flexor tendon surgery in October and then again when he spoke at Cubs Convention last month.

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But with the first game of the year over a month away, the team isn’t stressing about whether he’ll be ready for that or not.

“What Nico and I have talked about is stacking good days,” Counsell said. “It’s just keep on stacking good days. Because when you look too far forward, you kind of forget about today.

“You stack a bunch of good days up, and that day is going to be sooner than we all think, and that’s what’s happened so far. So, the news has been all good so far. And that’s really encouraging.”

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Hoerner underwent the surgery because he and the team knew it would allow him to man shortstop if the need arose. Yes, they have a Gold Glover at the position in Dansby Swanson, but the Cubs want to keep options behind him.

If an injury had occurred to Swanson and the Cubs needed a long-term replacement there, Hoerner wouldn’t have been able to man shortstop long-term without the surgery. If Swanson needs a day off, Hoerner can step in.

“I want Nico to be able to play shortstop. He wants to be able to play shortstop when needed,” Counsell said. “My goal for this — and Nico’s goal as well for this — is to get him to that point and that’s important.

“It wasn’t a need last year necessarily, but you can see that being a big need, right? And something that Nico can do really well if needed.”

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Swanson has always prided himself on playing 162 games — from 2020 to 2022 he missed just two games with Atlanta. But he’s landed on the IL the last two seasons and, while the Cubs would be glad and OK if he plays a full season, they have to be ready for every situation.

“It’s about something significant happening,” Counsell said. “The 162, I’m not gonna rule it out. I don’t think there’s any reason to cross it off. You don’t cross it off, but it’s doubtful I would say, but not crossing it off.”