The Chicago Cubs are getting ready for their overseas regular-season opener in Japan, and they reduced their spring training roster from 42 players to 35. After a record-setting game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday,

The Cubs’ preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Series began before the players were required to show up for Spring Training. Pitchers began ramping up earlier than usual, understanding that their season would begin in mid-March.

Staging Opening Day in Japan speeds up some personnel decisions that can typically wait until the end of March.