Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Mateo Flips Three at Fitch, Looks Fit to Phil

The EXST Cubs (Boise/Mesa) rallied with four runs in the bottom of the 8th to defeat the EXST Angels 6-4 at Mesa's Fitch Park Field #3 this morning, in a game that featured the second rehab start for RHP Juan Mateo. Mateo, who has been on the Cubs 15-day DL with a sore shoulder since ST, increased his innings to three and his pitch count to 40+, as he threw 41 pitches (29 strikes, 4/2 GB/FB), with his fastball topping out at 92 MPH. He allowed three hits (one HR) and one run, but no walks, with three strikeouts, in his three innings of work. As long as he does not having any significant negative physical symptoms in the aftermath of today's game, Mateo looks fit and ready to leave Mesa and continue his rehab (gradually increasing his pitch count) at Daytona or Tennessee, with a return to the Iowa starting rotation probably by no later than mid-June, possibly even earlier. In today's game, the Cubs trailed the Angels 4-2 going into the bottom of the 8th, but rallied thanks to outstanding execution of offensive fundamentals. (The youngsters at EXST practice this stuff over and over, every day) Carlos Perez worked a walk to lead-off the inning, and advanced to second when Andres Quezada was hit on the foot by a pitch. The tying runs were moved up to second and third thanks to a picture-perfect sac bunt by Gian Guzman, and Steve Clevenger followed with a line single to left, scoring Perez and sending Quezada to third. Mario Mercedes then came through with a game-tying sac fly to CF. Jesus Reyes followed with a walk, and after Clevenger and Reyes moved up on a wild pitch, Cesar Valentin singled through the middle of the diamond, scoring Clevenger and Reyes with the winning runs. It was a very exciting inning in what normally isn't an exciting environment, as the players on the Cub bench were up on their feet en masse yelling and screaming. Side-slingin' RHP Matt Maradeo (signed a year ago as a 2005 NDFA 5th year senior out of Kutztown) worked the 9th inning for the save, striking out the lead-off hitter, and getting a game-ending GIDP after allowing a one-out ground single. I guess I must have missed all of Maradeo's bad outings, because every time I see him throw, he works fast, he throws strikes, and it's either three up and three down, or six up and six down, or nine up and nine down with seven K's, or 1-2-3 strike out the side for the save. In some EXST and Cubs minor league roster news, OF Jeff Culpepper (who has been rehabbing at Fitch after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery) has left for Daytona. Also, Peoria OF D. J. Lewis has been released. (Lewis got released to make room for a position player who is being demoted from Daytona to Peoria to make room for Culpepper, but unfortunately I don't know who that position player is at this point). Here is the abridged box score (that means Cubs players only) from today's EXST Cubs game: LINEUP: 1. Nathan Samson, SS (0-2, HBP, SH) 2. Jovan Rosa, 3B (0-4, K) 3. Nelson Perez, LF (1-3, R, HBP) 4. Carlos Perez, DH-1 (0-3, R, BB) 5-A. Drew Rundle, CF (No AB) 5-B. Andres Quezada, CF (1-3, RBI, R, HBP) 6. Gian Guzman, DH-2 (1-3, 3B, SH, K) 7. Steve Clevenger, 1B (2-2, RBI, R, 2 HBP) 8. Mario Mercedes, C (1-3, SF-RBI) 9. Jesus Reyes, RF (0-3, R, BB, 2 K) 10. Cesar Valentin, 2B (2-2, 2 RBI, R, 2 BB, SB) NOTE: Rundle left game after he became sick in the outfield in the top of the 1st inning (nothing serious, as he walked unaided to the clubhouse). PITCHERS: 1. Juan Mateo - 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR 2. Audy Santana - 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP 3. Donny Walters - 2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP 4. Matt Maradeo - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP CATCHER: Mercedes 2-2 CS ATTENDANCE - 5 Weather: Cloudless hot sunny morning with temp in the 90's.

Comments

AZ Phil, With Wade Miller about to be released and Guzman and Marmol in the pen who do you think is the 6th starter in case of injury. I am thinking it would probably be Cotts, but I would rather see Gallagher or Holliman get a chance first. What are your thoughts on the subject. Also are there any type of Craig Hansen type relief prospect that the Cubs can draft at 48 to help the pen this season?

this is about 2 weeks old but from scout.com... http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=304&p=2&c=644285 3. Chicago Cubs - Josh Vitters. Early reads suggested that the Cubs and Matt Wieters would appear to be a match made in heaven, considering the Cubs' willingness to spend. But, it appears that the Cubs may be a little lighter in the pockets after their off-season spending spree. Look for them to take the cheaper route, which is not exactly a drop off talent-wise. Right now, according to several sources, they are trying to decide between Vitters and flame throwing Indiana high school righty, Jarrod Parker. Vitters' near sure thing bat will be tough to pass though. "I think the Cubs are going to surprise," one crosschecker told us. "Remember, they spent a lot of money last year and this year on their big league club. I think great time to get cheap....

chifan3887 — May 29, 2007 @ 3:20 pm AZ Phil, With Wade Miller about to be released and Guzman and Marmol in the pen who do you think is the 6th starter in case of injury. I am thinking it would probably be Cotts, but I would rather see Gallagher or Holliman get a chance first. What are your thoughts on the subject. Also are there any type of Craig Hansen type relief prospect that the Cubs can draft at 48 to help the pen this season? ========================== CHIFAN3778: In case of injury, I believe Neal Cotts would get the next call, and (if 100%) Juan Mateo would be next after that. I think the Cubs will likely leave Gallagher and Holliman at AA for the most of the rest of the season, although an August promotion to AAA for either would be well within reason. But Gallagher has had some mild shoulder stiffness, and Holliman needs to prove his mid-season dead arm of last year isn't going to be an every-year occurrence. Also, Gallagher does not need to be added to the 40-man roster until after the 2008 season, and Holliman doesn't need to be added to the 40 until after 2009, so there is no reason for the Cubs to rush either of them to the big leagues, unless circumstances unexpectedly warrant otherwise. As far as who the Cubs might take at 48, I don't know. If the Cubs do take a pitcher there, I hope it's a college pitcher, and the most advanced college pitcher available. Somebody who can help them ASAP. I don't know how the first two picks will go, but if (somehow) Price and Wieters go 1-2, I'd actually prefer to see the Cubs take ex-Missouri RHP Max Scherzer (who is throwing 97 MPH and striking everybody out at Ft. Worth) with the #3 pick rather than Vitters or a HS pitcher. A two-pitch pitcher (but both pitches are plus pitches),Scherzer would be a definite MLB closer candidate, and could reach the big leagues in a BIG hurry (he will want--and will almost certainly get--a "Major League" contract, so no reason not to bring him up in September, if not sooner). Of course, Scherzer (a Scott Boras client) will be a "tough sign" (which is why the Diamondbacks couldn't sign him), but the Cubs don't seem to have a problem with dealing with Boras. Heck, Hendry actually seems to like the guy! But again, that's ONLY if Price and Wieters go 1-2. No way will Scherzer last to #48.

AZ Phil: I noted that the cubs recently promoted recent minor league rule 5 pick, Jim Anderson from AA to Iowa after 18 games/24 IP with an ERA of 0.75. Have you seen him pitch? If he does as well in Iowa is he a candidate for the bullpen or is he just more minor league fodder?

cubster — May 29, 2007 @ 4:23 pm AZ Phil: I noted that the cubs recently promoted recent minor league rule 5 pick, Jim Anderson from AA to Iowa after 18 games/24 IP with an ERA of 0.75. Have you seen him pitch? If he does as well in Iowa is he a candidate for the bullpen or is he just more minor league fodder? ============================== CUBSTER: I saw Jim Henderson pitch three times at Minor League Camp in ST, and I wasn't particularly impressed. He reminds me some of Randy Wells, who pitched great at AA last season but hasn't pitched so well at AAA after getting promoted. But Henderson certainly had a lot of success at AA this season, so we'll see how he does at AAA. But (like Randy Wells) I don't think he is an MLB prospect. I hope I'm wrong.

Wait...is it Anderson or Henderson? Take of the 'der' and you got some muppets...

Whatever happened to Lou's comments regarding Lilly being questionable for his next start? Is that still a possibility?

"ATTENDANCE - 5" Gotta be some kind of record. Were some seats removed?

cubswinthepennant — May 29, 2007 @ 5:10 pm “ATTENDANCE - 5” Gotta be some kind of record. Were some seats removed? ==================== CWtP: Actually we had nine for one of the games over the Memorial Day weekend. We were packed in there like sardines.

A. Soriano lf C. Izturis ss D. Lee 1b A. Ramirez 3b M. Murton rf M. DeRosa 2b M. Barrett c A. Pagan cf

Attendance-5 LOL of the day. Az Phil and friends re-enact "the wave" from Field of Dreams.

lou gives a pregame blah blah media fest talk about baserunning. cubs commit 2 outs on 2 separate plays involving baserunning gaffs in 1 inning. is it the players yet or the elderly fat man dujour?

AZ Phil: How does Mateo stack up against the other Iowa starters and the Guzman/Marmol/Marshalls, stuff-wise and ceiling-wise?

garsky — May 30, 2007 @ 9:17 am AZ Phil: How does Mateo stack up against the other Iowa starters and the Guzman/Marmol/Marshalls, stuff-wise and ceiling-wise? ============================== GARSKY: Mateo's stuff doesn't rate with that of Guzman, Marshall, and Marmol, but I would say he could be a passable MLB #5 starter or right-handed middle-reliever. You have to remember that Mateo has never pitched at AAA. He was promoted from AA straight to the big leagues last summer, so he could probably benefit from some time in the Iowa starting rotation. He's only 24, so it's not like he's past his prime. He WILL be an MLB pitcher. Maybe not with the Cubs, but with somebody.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.