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

Game 28 Thread / Brewers @ Cubs (3 of 3)

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP Yovani Gallardo
SP
Carlos Zambrano
  0-0, 0.64, 9 K, 5 BB
4-1, 2.21, 32 K, 9 BB
       
2B
Rickie Weeks LF
Alfonso Soriano
CF
Mike Cameron SS
Ryan Theriot
LF
Ryan Braun 1B
Derrek Lee
1B
*Prince Fielder 3B
Aramis Ramirez
RF
Corey Hart RF
*Kosuke Fukudome
3B
Bill Hall 2B
Mark DeRosa
SS
*Craig Counsell C
Geovany Soto
P
Yovani Gallardo CF
Reed Johnson
C Jason Kendall
P #Carlos Zambrano

 

 

 








Fonzie returns to the lineup as the Cubs go for 2-of-3 against the Brewers and try to grab some momentum heading into big road series in Saint Loo and Cincinnati.

In the press conference following Wednesday night's slaughter, one of the reporters pointed out to Lou Piniella that the Cubs had won 17 games exactly one-sixth of the way through the season, which (all other things being equal) projects to 102 victories for the year.

"Well, that's a pretty good year, isn't it?" (Piniella) said. "I'm saying that in a kidding way, but 17 wins in the month of April is really, really nice, and it's a good way to get started."

Some other 2008 projections based on the first sixth of the season (and I also share these "in a kidding way"):

Derrek Lee -- 48 HR, 138 RBI

Ryan Theriot -- 30 CS

Ted Lilly -- 24 losses

Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano -- 24 wins

Kerry Wood -- 72 K, 12 BB

Carlos Marmol -- 84 games, 104 IP

Update: Matt Murton was sent down to make room for Soriano.

Comments

to see how the Cubs handle Gallardo today (hopefully not the other way around). He was pretty good against us last year and getting off on the right foot against him this year could be important for the season series.

fuck you wood i don't know about you but he makes me the most nervous in the 9th that I've been in a long time. I just have no confidence the game is over whatsoever. And I think the other teams are feeling the same way against him. He is just really really hittable. Lets let him go back to starting. If he gets hurt then fine.

[ ]

In reply to by Doug

Am I the only one who thought before and still thinks that Soriano's really, really slow start would have validated a short rehab stint so to prove he can hit a little? Not like his defense makes up for his offensive slump any more than Murt's would. Might as well have started Cedeno at 2B and DeRosa in LF today. Then, the bring in Pie as a defensive replacement for Johnson and leave Soriano and his 0-4 and bum legs to play defense in LF in a 3-1 game. If you bring Pie in for a defensive boost you might as well shift Johnson over to LF where he can help the team more than Alfonso on defense. There is too much catering to Soriano's ego going on at the moment. When he starts helping the team again I'll stop complaining, but today it looked like Soriano was left in the game so as not to hurt his feelings and it might've cost the team.

Worst loss of the year. Bummer for the Cubs, huge lift for the Brewers. How the hell do you hit Craig Counsell with nobody on and 2-run lead? Thanks, Kerry -- you just ruined my day.

[ ]

In reply to by Bigz

We need pitching help. ======================== Ascanio has been doing pretty well in AAA. Eyre should be back next week, according to RotoWorld (I'm not sure whether that will constitute help or not). I think Wuertz and Howry will come around, but as of right now our bullpen doesn't look nearly as good as advertised. I was a believer, but the numbers just aren't pretty right now. Say what you want about them having pitched too many innings, but the guy who's taken the brunt of that, and who's arm my fall off in July, is doing the best out of all of them (Marmol). I'm looking forward to his debut as a lefty reliever in 2010 following his season-ending amputation in 2008 and a year spent developing coordination in his left arm.

not to excuse Wood for his ineffectiveness, but Fukudome misjudging Braun's 2b, and Soriano's usual pathetic attempt at the other 2b didn't help matters either. Wood sucked but he had a lot of help in the 9th too.

Haven't seen the double by Kapler in the 9th yet, was it to the side of Soriano or over his head---in a 2-run lead late in the game no ball should ever be hit over an outfielders head---have to keep the tying run out of scoring position---always play NO DOUBLES!!!!

I blame the offense -- if they had scored 19 runs, Wood might have been able to protect the lead. Shouldn't really be a surpise -- if we expected Kerry to suddenly become a consistent, reliable pitcher, then shame on us. He has never been one in his entire career. Brewers now 4-2 at Wrigley. This not only ruined my day, but may have ruined my whole weekend. I liked April a lot better than what I have seen so far in May.

jacos: Who got sent down? Cubnut: Murton and his .214 average. This seemed like a wonderful time to point out Soriano's .164 avg. :)~ Not that I support keeping Murton or anything, just hoping Soriano gets on one of his trademark hot streaks soon.

In all seriousness, does Lou shift Marmol to closer, or will he worry about hurting Wood's feelings (not that he has ever shown any inkling of being a diva, but he's a veteran). This would drastically help protect Marmol's arm as well as he would presumably not be coming into games like last night when they were up by 100 runs.

Is there another MLB closer who would be so clueless as to hit Craig Counsell with a 2-run lead in the 9th. Unbelievably stupid pitching. Nuke Laloosh Wood.

As a starter, Wood would come in and get quickly frazzled and suffer control problems in the 1st. He'd then settle into the game after rough first innings. I still don't understand what people saw that made them think he would be an effective relief pitcher where he wouldn't have time to settle in...add the pressure of being a closer, and you have a disaster waiting. With that said, I think you have to keep him there now. Marmol is brilliant in the role he is in now, and I'd rather him be the stopper to get the game to Wood. If only Howry could actually pitch this year, there might be other options.

I agree about catering to Soriano. The thing is, I don't even get the impression that he is asking to be catered to. I know we get random posters on here who assert that Soriano is selfish, blah, blah, blah, but when pressed for specific instances about how they come to that conclusion, they always come up empty. I think it's more of an organizational mindset, probably tied into the contract. Who knows what the reason is, but Soriano hasn't given any indication that he's the type that would cause a problem if asked to go on a short rehab assignment or move out of the leadoff spot.

[ ]

In reply to by Little Nate Lewis

I agree. I see the catering, I'm not sure I see Soriano demanding it. He's even stated publicly that he'll hit wherever they tell him to and play wherever they tell him to. A rehab assignment or coming out late in the game for a defensive replacement would've helped today. But Lou really wants that power in the lineup, regardless of whether Soriano is actually going to get hits or get on base or not. I like Soriano; he is a valuable player when healthy and ready to go. But a leadoff man he is not, and so far this season he's looked like he could use some rehab time in AAA.

The Cubs have an EBM* problem. EBM = Everybody but Marmol in the bullpen is horrible. Sure Soriano and Fuku could have done better on those flyballs but they were still hard hit and the Wood wasn't exactly dominating.

Since Soriano can't go back on balls and has admitted a fear of the bricks, why the fuck isn't he playing at the edge of the track in a situation like that? You can't let balls get hit over your head in that situation. And with the wind blowing out a gale in the ninth, Fukudome also should have been playing further back. It's like no one involved with the team had ever seen the wind change at Wrigley Field. And Fukudome was safe at home earlier in the game. Kendall tagged him on the shoulder after his feet were on the plate. Bad, bad day.

I don't even know if Lou's comments can get this bullpen back on track. I'm sure Wood will probably be ok, but I'm not so optimistic about Howry and Wuertz and we are going to need at least 2 more decent arms if this is going to be a contending team.

This is for all the "Marmol for closer" supporters out there hitting the campaign trail this evening. Not that I'm opposed to such an argument, but I do have a question. If Marmol is the closer, how do you reckon Lou gets from Zambrano to Marmol in the 9th today? I don't think we ever even get the chance for a save if anybody else comes into that jam in the 7th. I'm not the only one who believes that the closer isn't the most important position in the bullpen. High profile? Sure. A little more pressure? Probably. IMO, what Carlos Marmol has done (particularly in the strikeout department) makes him considerably more valuable in situations like the one he entered in today than starting the 9th with the bases empty.

[ ]

In reply to by Wes

I see the point about the closer not being the most important bullpen position. I'd like to see if there are some statistics that back that up. My point is, a) it sucks that Wood is blowing all these saves, and b) Marmol's elbow is going to explode by July if Lou keeps leaning on him in every game like he has. If Marmol only comes in for save situations, he's not going to be going multiple innings and he'll only pitch in games when a save is on the line. I can't even imagine the gnashing of teeth on this site if Marmol goes down with an injury. I think that would singlehandedly turn the masses against Lou.

I totally agree that 'marmol for closer' isn't the answer here. Marmol/Wood hopefully will be ok. Its that 3rd and 4th member of the bullpen that is a problem right now.

imo wood hasnt been that bad and more than a few times come in, dominate, and go home. hart's had control issues, but his stuff still looks good. wuertz is getting hit a bit too much...3hr already given up...yow. howry is pitching like total crap and looks bad in a variety of ways. loober is loober and marmol is marmol. i really didnt see a howry collapse coming and it's not good, but personally the pen isnt something i feel desperate about. be nice to have 3 solid guys, that's ideal...i think 2 others could stabilize and join marmol outta that group.

Wood is still new to the closer role and has blown a few games now. It sucks, no doubt. Today especially hurt because it was against a division rival on a getaway day and it ruined a decent start by Z and a great hold by Marmol. But it's early. Everyone should know by now the volatility of a major league bullpen and there are bound to be ups and downs. The key is continuity in roles. Let's not jump the gun and condemn the man 5 weeks into a lonnnng season. Plus there really is no other viable option at this point. There just isn't. Marmol is perfect where he is and Howry is still building arm strength and velocity. And Kerry's workload has been sporadic. If the pattern continues over the next month or so, then it may be time to reassess and shuffle a role or two. It also might be a good opportunity for Hendry to begin thinking about dealing for an established arm at deadline time. But for now you stand pat and let them settle into their roles. A little patience (and a few blown games) now may pay dividends down the stretch.

[ ]

In reply to by 10man

Yep -- I have now calmed down -- having seen the replays, a little OF defense would have gone a long way. Still think it was stupid to hit Counsel, though. It's like aiming down the middle of the fairway when there is water on the right -- if you tee up on the RH side of the tee and aim at the left side of the fairway, you reduce your risk. I really felt that Wuertz/Howry/Marmol/Wood was going to be a big strength this year. Maybe they still will -- it'd be nice to get them going before too long. If everybody knows Howry sucks in April/May because he is building velocity (?), there must be some way to deal with that. Have him start throwing earlier, keep him in EXST utnil he's ready, or something. Oh well -- I imagine this is his last year here, so it's too late now.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Yep -- I have now calmed down Good. If it's any consolation, Lou apparently blew up after the game, too. Yahoo! Sports is telling me he jumped on a reporter: Thar he blows!: So, a reporter asks Piniella, "Did you think about Johnson over in left?" Piniella responds, "You're damn right I thought about it. You think I'm stupid or something? God, darnit." Video of the exchange can be enjoyed at Chicagosports.com. The presser ended with Piniella muttering unprintables under his breath out the door.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I didn't have a particularly great angle from the bleachers yesterday, but I did walk out of the park with the impression that both balls should have been caught by Soriano and Fukudome, respectively. Soriano said the wind caught it, which may have been true. But, the hard step he talk in when the ball left the bat cost him the chance to catch it. Didn't look like Fukudome got a very good jump, either. Since we're playing the blame game and all.....

"You know my life, this financial thing, is a very complicated issue. Obviously, when you make all that money, people think, 'OK, let's assume it is $35 million.' People have to understand that $35 million, you're paying the government 41 percent. That leaves you with about $17 or $18 million, not even. Then you're taking care of your whole family." - jose canseco

I don't mind the, "Its Early" card. We just need to remember that the Cubs won the Division by 2 games over the Brewers. They appear hungrier. The games dropped against Division opponents really, really sting. Considering the Brewers have won 4 of 6 in our own park - it sets a poor tone.

Not sure if any one else caught it, but Braun was jawing with 3-4 fans on the front row, immediately next to the on deck circle, as he was leaving the field in the middle of the ninth. One of the fans, casually but as plain as day gives him the finger. Not uncommon I know, but the fan was about 3 feet from Braun and it's clearly captured on WGN telecast. Funny.

There is too much catering to Soriano's ego going on at the moment. When he starts helping the team again I'll stop complaining, but today it looked like Soriano was left in the game so as not to hurt his feelings and it might've cost the team At this rate Soriano will be killing babies in the Congo with his partner in crime Sosa with the way the bullshit mythology is being made up about Soriano. Give it a few months and soon this will be god given fact. I sure do love the thoughts being flung around that Soriano shouldn't being playing cuz he aint hitting blah blah blah. When has Soriano NOT put up a productive season in the major leagues? Huh? I am waiting? Can't find it? Ohh yeah thats right you can't, so calm the fuck down and come off the ledge. The very thought of benching your multi-million dollar superstar player because he has had a bad month is a knee jerk reaction and the reason why NONE of you are even remotely responsible for running a major league baseball franchise. If you were Zambrano's punk ass would have been traded last year. I guess it's just easier to make up that Soriano is an egomaniac. Which is by all accounts the exact opposite of how he acts.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Soriano was on one of the "great" Yankee teams. IF you are gonna compare the above, that you have trouble with, the Indiana Pacer's squad or Barkley's Sixers or Suns teams were not in the same class (i.e. "expected to win it all"), with Soriano's Yankees teams. In fact, IIRC, his PT in the World Series was limited as he was a defensive liability. Gee - some things never change... Luke Longley was on a team with TWO of the NBA's 50 greatest players. Reggie and Barkley for the most part carried their teams fully. Nice argument, though. I was for Soriano signing with the Cubs, and was amazed - but I really didn't dream that he would perform like he has so far.

I see everyone took to heart my Parachat proclamation that yesterday was "Overreact to Every Soriano At-Bat Day"...well-done!!!!

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Everything is amplified because of that contract (both the length and the total dollars). If Soriano goes on the DL a few times and has an extended slump, everyone thinks, "Holy shit, we're paying him $136 million and he's on the books for another 6 and a half years! We're doomed!!!!" Like it or not, the amount of money and the length of the contract will turn the fans against Soriano. Everyone thought the Cubs were getting a 40-40 guy, and he's starting to look like AT BEST a 30-15 guy who can't stay on the field. While those numbers are still good, it's not worth an 8 year deal for $136 million. Obviously he should take all the money he can get, but if you're wondering why people are pissed that he can't stay healthy and strikes out more than Bobby Bonds, well that's why.

its still "early". Soriano still has plenty of time to be NL MVP. Enough blame to go around yesterday. Not just A-Fonz. We'll see how these guys respond tonight. I still can't figure out for the life of me wtf with Todd Wellemeyer. Its gotta be LaRussa. He is a sorcerer.

Recent comments

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  • crunch (view)

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  • crunch (view)

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  • 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.

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