Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Use Their Bats & Their Heads to Sweep D'backs

Adonis Paula ripped a two-run double and Tyler Alamo belted a two-out RBI double to highlight a three-run 1st, Oscar de la Cruz tossed three innings of shutout ball, and Tim Saunders drove-in the winning run by getting hit on the top of the helmet with a two-strike pitch with the bases loaded, the score tied, and two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, as the Cubs edged the Diamondbacks 4-3 on Field #5, and Eloy Jimenez thumped a solo home run and an RBI triple, Yohan Matos belted a three-run inside-the-park HR, and Bryant Flete singled twice, walked, stole a base, and scored two runs, helping the Cubs defeat the D'backs 8-4 on Field #6, as the Cubs swept a Cactus League Extended Spring Training split-squad doubleheader this morning at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park.  

Trevor Mitsui bashed a double and a two-run HR, Sergio Alcantara laced a single and a double and scored a run, Luis Veras singled, doubled, and scored two runs, and Didimo Bracho collected three singles for the Diamondbacks in a losing cause.   

LHP Patrick Corbin (on the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB 60-day DL - 2014 TJS) got the start for the D'backs on Field #6 and hurled three innings of shutout ball, allowing two singles and no walks, while striking out five (four swinging), and a 2/1 GO/FO.    

The EXST Cubs returned to action today after a weekend of rain wiped out two games. 

Prior to the Cactus League EXST game, RHPs Dylan Cease (2014 TJS), Erling Moreno (2014 TJS), Jose Zapata (post-2013 cervical fracture), and Trey Masek (2014 shoulder surgery) pitched in a five-inning "sim" game on Field #3. Cease and Moreno worked three innings (45 pitches each), Zapata pitched two innings (30 pitches), and Masek threw one inning (15 pitches).    

In roster news, 21-year old switch-hitting Dominican OF Robert Garcia has been added to the Cubs Extended Spring Training roster. Garcia signed with the Cubs in July 2013 and spent two seasons with the DSL Cubs, hitting 301/394/369 with 33 stolen bases (8 CS) in 77 games combined 2013-14.     

Here are the abridged box scores from today's games (Cubs players only):


FIELD #5

CUBS SQUAD "A" LINEUP: 
1. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 1-3 (1B, F-9, 3-1, BB, R, SB)
2. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 0-3 (BB, 3-U, 4-3, 4-6 FC, R)
3. Adonis Paula, 3B: 1-4 (2B, 6-3, 6-3, 4-3, 2 RBI)
4a. Jordan Hankins, DH #1: 0-2 (K, 6-3)
4b. Robert Garcia, PH-LF: 0-2 (K, 1-3)
5. Kevin Encarnacion, RF: 1-4 (1-5 FC, K, K, 1B, 2 R) 
6a. Tyler Alamo, C: 2-2 (2B, BB, 1B, RBI)
6b. Wladimir Galindo, 1B: NO AB 
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 
7. Ho-Young Son, SS-DH: 0-3 (6-3, 5-4-3 DP, F-9, BB) 
8. Jenner Emeterio, LF-DH: 0-3 (K, F-8, K, BB) 
9. Tim Saunders, DH-SS: 1-2 (HBP, 1B, F-7, HBP, RBI, 2 SB) 
10. Eric Gonzalez, 1B-C: 0-3 (F-8, L-1, 5-3) 

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHERS
1. Oscar de la Cruz: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/4 GO/FO, 32 pitches (23 strikes) 
2. John Michael Knighton: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 2/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (9 strikes) 
3. Brad Markey: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 17 pitches (13 strikes) 
4. Daniel Lewis: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (12 strikes) 
5. Greyfer Eregua: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 24 pitches (18 strikes) 
6. Pedro Araujo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 13 pitches (7 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Eric Gonzalez: 1-1 CS 

FIELD #6

CUBS SQUAD "B" LINEUP
1. Roberto Caro, CF: 0-3 (2-3, E-1, BB, F-7, CS)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 1-3 (1B, K, 4-6-3 DP, BB, R)
3. Eloy Jimenez, LF: 2-3 (K, HR, HBP, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI)
4. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 0-3 (K, HBP, P-6, F-7)
5. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 1-4 (K, P-6, 2B, K, CS) 
6. Jhonny Pereda, C: 1-3 (1B, K, BB, F-9, R)
7. Bryant Flete, SS: 2-3 (F-7, 1B, BB, 1B, 2 R, SB) 
8. Yohan Matos, DH #1: 1-4 (K, K, HR, 5-4 FC, R, 3 RBI)
9. Carlos Jimenez, 3B: 1-4 (K, 2B,. K, L-4, RBI)
10a. Andruw Monasterio, DH #2: 0-1 (6-3) 
10b. Miguel Rico, PH-DH: 0-0 (BB)
10c, Tyler Pearson, PH-DH; 0-1 (6-3)
10d. Roney Alcala, PH: 0-1 (3-1) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHERS
1. Justin Steele: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 34 pitches (22 strikes) 
2. Dillon Maples: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 33 pitches (13 strikes) 
3. Alexander Santana: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 19 pitches (15 strikes) 
4. Yomar Morel: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 12 pitches (10 strikes)
5. Sam Wilson: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 39 pitches (27 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Bryant Flete - E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2, P Justin Steele - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 3rd) 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

ATTENDANCE: 25 

Comments

Today is the 31st day of the MLB regular season, which means two things:

1. The start of a new waiver period, so Outright and Optional Assignment waivers secured during the previous waiver period have expired; and

2. The Cubs are now #22 in waiver claim priority (they were previously #8).

During the off-season and up through the 30th day of the regular season, waiver claim priority is based upon the previous season's standings (the Cubs had the 8th worst record in 2014). Then beginning on the 31st day of the regular season, waiver claim priority changes such that it is based upon the MLB standings at 9 AM (Eastern) on the morning of the day the waiver claiming period ends for a particular player. (The Cubs had only the 22nd worst record in MLB as of 9 AM Eastern this morning).   

Just as a reminder, there is no distinction made between leagues as far as waiver claims for players placed on Outright and Optiional Assignment and Outright Release waivers are concerned. The only time the leagues matter (as far as waiver claim priority is concerned) is for Trade Assignment Waivers, which are needed in order to make trades after the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31st.  

In the case of Trade Assignment Waivers (only), claims made by a club or clubs in the player's own league have priority over claims made by a club or clubs iin the other league (if multiple waiver claims are made). So beginning on August 1st, a player must be essentially "waived out of his own league" before he can be claimed off waivers and/or traded to a club in the other league. But this ONLY applies to Trade Assignment Waivers  

Hi Phil, going thru baseball withdrawal but it is good to be home. I see you had more rain this past weekend. I enjoy your write-ups!

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).