“We’ve been on record as saying we don’t want our players to stick to sports,” Epstein said. “We want them to be themselves and we encourage them to be engaged citizens, and we see them as people and citizens, not just as players. ‘Shut up and play’ is not the way it’s going to be around here.

“That said, I echo what Major League Baseball has said and how our players feel – this is not a political issue, this is a human rights issue. It’s important to have these conversations and participate and engage at a time like this on an issue so important.”

MLB announced some plans to honor the Black Lives Matter movement, which included specially-designed batting practice T-shirts or patches on batting practice jerseys reading “Black Lives Matter” and “United For Change.” The league also created wristbands with an inverted logo where the silhouetted batter is black.

Teams are also authorized to stencil logos on the back of the mound and players will not have restrictions on placing messages on their cleats.

“You’ll see (Friday) how unified (the Cubs) are, how thoughtful they’ve been in engaging in this extremely important issue,” Epstein said. “I’m proud of them and look forward to continuing that conversation with them going forward.”

Ross against bigger playoffs: Just before the regular season officially began Thursday, Major League Baseball and the players union agreed to expand the playoffs to 16 teams, up from the usual 10.

Now the top-two teams in each division will qualify, along with the teams with the next two best records. The first round will include four three-game series, played entirely at the stadium of the higher-seeded team.

Before this news became official, Cubs president Theo Epstein said he was ready for anything, while manager David Ross offered a different opinion.

“I’m probably a little bit against expanding it,” Ross said. “Let’s make it mean something.”

Guides for the road: Theo Epstein said one of the precautions for the pandemic-shortened season is a guide for visiting teams.

“Every team has put out a manual for the visiting teams to give them the references they need and the support they need to stay safe when they’re on the road,” Epstein said. “So we provide that to the teams that come visit Wrigley. They reciprocate and provided it so we’ll have a better feel for where to turn when we need help, either in the hotel or at the airport or in the ballpark.”

Epstein said they’ve tried to make sure there are outdoor areas available at road hotels, so players won’t have to spend the entire day inside their rooms.

“We’re not going to let up our guard and there’s plenty of risk, but we’re all confidence and pleased with how things have been planned out,” Epstein said.

Cubs notes: The Cubs confirmed quality control coach Mike Napoli is not with the team due to a positive test for COVID-19. They hope to have him back soon. … Epstein on whether Mookie Betts’ huge extension with the Dodgers will affect the Cubs with future contracts: “It remains to be seen. I think in any period of uncertainty, each organization has to make its own assessment of where it’s at and where it projects to be going forward. We’re taking it day by day and trying to learn as much as we can about our future.”