Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Mateo Gets Rehab Start at Fitch

Submitted by Arizona Phil on
The EXST Giants defeated the EXST Cubs (Boise/Mesa) 6-1 this morning at Fitch Park Field #2 in Mesa, a game that featured the first game appearance for RHP Juan Mateo. After a couple of lackluster "live" BP sessions over the past week, Mateo (on the Cubs 15-day DL since ST with a sore shoulder) finally got some game action today, tossing two shutout innings (31 pitches, 20 strikes). Throwing at "cruising speed," Mateo topped out at 90, and his breaking ball was sharp. He gave up no runs on two singles, with no walks and three strikeouts, and one wild pitch. I would think Mateo will likely be leaving Fitch in the next few days to continue his rehab at Daytona or Tennessee, and if all goes well, he should be back in the Iowa starting rotation (and off the Cubs DL) within a couple of weeks. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Kerry Wood threw a 15-20 pitch bullpen session on Tuesday morning before the Cubs EXST intrasquad game at Fitch, but he did not throw in the game itself. A "live" BP session (probably tomorrow) would seem the likely next step for Woody. Minor leaguers currently rehabbling at EXST include outfielders Jeff Culpepper (off-season shoulder surgery rehab), Ryan Harvey (hamstring), and Andy Lopez (quad), and pitchers Jose Ceda (shoulder), Michael Cooper (shoulder), Rafael Dolis (elbow), Adam Harben (TJ elbow surgery), Junniol Lami, Billy Muldowney (elbow), and Taylor Parker (elbow). Of the rehabbers, Culpepper and Cooper are playing in EXST games and (barring setbacks) should be ready to join a full-season club (probably Daytona) soon. The other rehabbing pitchers are participating in PFP and conditioning drills only at this time. Also, RHP Mark Prior (shoulder surgery), RHP Roberto Novoa (fractured shoulder sustained in off-season car crash), 2006 12th round pick RHP Kitt Kopach (shoulder surgery), and Daytona RHP Todd Blackford (awaiting surgery for a torn elbow ligament) are out indefinitely. In other EXST roster news, Cubs 2006 16th round pick C-1B Blake Parker is now a pitcher, 3B Elvin Puello and OF Valerio Heredia have been released (both 22, Puello was once considered one of the Cubs better prospects, and Heredia was one of the fastest players in the organization), recent 2006 Draft + Follow signees 3B Jovan Rosa (Lake City CC) and RHP Jordan Latham (College of Southern Idaho) have arrived (Rosa played in the EXST intrasquad game on Tuesday, but only took BP today), and 2006 NDFA 5th year college senior RHP John Muller (recently signed by the Cubs out of St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York) threw a "live" BP session today. Here is the abridged box score (that means Cubs players only) from today's EXST Cubs game: LINEUP: 1. Sammy Baez, DH#1 (1-4, K) 2. Jeff Culpepper, DH#2 (1-4, 2B, CS) 3. Marwin Gonzalez, 3B (1-4) 4. Steve Clevenger, 1B (1-3) 5-A. Carlos Perez, C (1-2) 5-B. Mario Mercedes, C (1-2, K) 6. Nelson Perez, RF (0-3, K) 7. Drew Rundle, LF (0-3, K) 8. Andres Quezada, CF (0-3, 2 K) 9. Gian Guzman, SS (1-2, R, BB, SB) 10. Cesar Valentin, 2B (0-3, 2 K) NOTE: Mercedes hit between Culpepper and Gonzalez in the 9th, so that he would be sure of getting two ABs in the game. PITCHERS: 1. Juan Mateo - 2.0 IP, 2 H. 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP 2. Larry Suarez - 2.1 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 1 K 3. Kevin Kreier - 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K 4. Brad Clipp - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP ATTENDANCE - 1 Best I can tell, here is the current up-to-date Cubs EXST roster: 2007 CUBS EXST ROSTER (5/24/07): * bats or throws left # bats both PITCHERS (ACTIVE): Francisco Acosta Alberto Cabrera Julio Castillo Brad Clipp Miguel Cuevas Wily Garcia Chris Huseby Kevin Kreier Jordan Latham Simon Lee Matt Maradeo Oswaldo Martinez John Muller Andrew McCormick Blake Parker (ex-C) * Mark Pawelek Leonel Perez (ex-3B) Audy Santana Ryan Searle Larry Suarez Brandon Taylor (ex-3B) Harol Tolentino Donny Walters PITCHERS (REHAB) Jose Ceda Michael Cooper Rafael Dolis Adam Harben Junniol Lami Juan Mateo Billy Muldowney * Taylor Parker PITCHERS (INACTIVE) Todd Blackford (torn elbow ligament - awaiting surgery) Brett Jackson (unknown) Kitt Kopach (shoulder surgery) Roberto Novoa (fractured shoulder) Mark Prior (shoulder surgery) Kerry Wood (shoulder/triceps) CATCHERS: * Steve Clevenger (ex-INF) Mario Mercedes Carlos Perez INFIELDERS: # Marwin Gonzalez (3B-1B) Gian Guzman (3B-SS) Elvis Lara (2B) Jesus Reyes (1B-OF) Jovan Rosa (3B) Nathan Samson (SS) Cesar Valentin (SS-2B) OUTFIELDERS: * Cliff Andersen Sammy Baez (ex-SS) Cody Gilbert (OF-1B) * Nelson Perez (was signed as RHP, then converted to OF) # Andres Quezada * Drew Rundle POSITION PLAYERS (REHAB) * Jeff Culpepper, OF (shoulder surgery rehab) Ryan Harvey, OF (hamstring) Andy Lopez, OF (quad) # Francisco Tirado, 2B (quad) MANAGER: Tom Beyers (Boise manager) COACHES: Franklin Font (Boise hitting coach) Carmelo Martinez (AZL Mesa hitting coach) Ricardo Medina (AZL Mesa manager) Tom Pratt (Boise pitching coach) Rick Tronerud (AZL Mesa pitching coach)

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:08 pm

And you you can read my bi-weekly Cubs EXST reports from Fitch Park at Road to Wrigley. That's also where you can read what's happening around the Cubs minor leagues.

Submitted by chifan3887 on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:16 pm

AZ Phil, What do you know about Matt Matulia the starting SS for Daytona? The first time I heard of him is when I saw the box score for Daytona yesterday and his 282/374/382/757 seem excellent outside the lack of slugging.

Submitted by Jace on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:20 pm

Thanks, Phil. As always, your consistent updates are much appreciated. So, when you're the only person there to watch their games at Fitch, do the players and other personnel keep their distance from you, or do they come over and joke around with you? I'm just trying to picture how that works when you are the only person there....

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:28 pm

chifan3887 — May 24, 2007 @ 2:16 pm AZ Phil, What do you know about Matt Matulia the starting SS for Daytona? The first time I heard of him is when I saw the box score for Daytona yesterday and his 282/374/382/757 seem excellent outside the lack of slugging. ============================ CHIFAN3887: Matulia was selected in last June's draft (24th round) out of The Citadel and played at Boise last year and hit in the .240's. I remember seeing him play in The Arizona Instructional League (TAIL) last September-October, and I wasn't paticularly impressed. I figured him for maybe the Peoria utility infielder gig in '07. Matulia has certainly benefited from a lack of quality shortstop prospects in the Cubs system, but still, his performance so far this season has been a pleasant surprise. Hopefully he will continue to play well and move up through the pipeline.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:35 pm

Jace — May 24, 2007 @ 2:20 pm Thanks, Phil. As always, your consistent updates are much appreciated. So, when you’re the only person there to watch their games at Fitch, do the players and other personnel keep their distance from you, or do they come over and joke around with you? I’m just trying to picture how that works when you are the only person there…. ================================ JACE: Among the pitchers not scheduled to pitch in the game or throw BP, one is assigned to be the batboy, two others chase foul balls, and three others sit in the cage behind home plate and run the scoreboard, the radar gun, or chart the pitches, The rest of the pitchers and the injured (rehab) players who aren't doing anything else are required to sit in the stands and watch the game, and I sit in their midst. Some of them know who I am, some don't.

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:43 pm

Rich- They are brothers. VA is the oldedst, AZ the youngest. They have a middle brother Oklahoma Phil.

Submitted by Rich on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:23 pm

I've never seen Oklahoma Phil! I didn't realize they were brothers either though.....I'm learning. lol. By the way, I'm not sure what I did wrong on the Parachat but they emailed me a cryptic password that never seems to work no matter how it's entered. If anybody can help me there I would very much appreciate it because I had a blast the couple of times I got to do the chat before it needed a password. Thanks in advance!

Submitted by cubswinthepennant on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:29 pm

Rich- They are brothers. Virginia is a guy?

Submitted by Sheffield/Cornelia on Thu, 05/24/2007 - 05:40 pm

There's gotta be a Train reference lurking around in here somewhere...

Submitted by carmenfanzone on Fri, 05/25/2007 - 05:44 am

A family of Phil's. Hey Phil please pass the butter. They all look at each other and say which Phil?

Submitted by TJ on Fri, 05/25/2007 - 05:16 am

What is Mark Pawelek doing there? I noticed he had pitched a bit at Peoria, but not recently. You didn't have him in the rehab category. Is he a lost cause or is there still hope? Thanks for your updates.

Submitted by ZHL on Fri, 05/25/2007 - 05:18 am

And unlike his third cousin Puxatony Phil, AZ Phil is NOT afraid of his own shadow. Nice update dood.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 05/25/2007 - 05:18 pm

TJ — May 25, 2007 @ 10:16 am What is Mark Pawelek doing there? I noticed he had pitched a bit at Peoria, but not recently. You didn’t have him in the rehab category. Is he a lost cause or is there still hope? Thanks for your updates. ============================== TJ: Mark Pawelek was demoted to EXST after a couple of weeks at Peoria to work on his mechanics (which were all fouled up) and velocity (he is topping out at 88--he threw 93-94 when the Cubs drafted him). He is pitching in EXST games, though (where he has continued to struggle with his command), and in fact, he is scheduled to pitch tomorrow. For anybody interested, here is my report from today's EXST game at Fitch Park that I just posted over at Road to Wrigley.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

Click HERE for the last 50 comments