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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

The Other End of Humerus

Submitted by Dr. Joseph Hecht on

In an embarrassing conclusion to the saturday night game against the Brewers, the Cubs bullpen literally and figuratively exploded.

In a highlight on TV for Mr. Brenly, he went out on the ledge and predicted the two run HR from Micah Hoffpauir in the 5th inning as the big first baseman strode up to the plate. Brenly had given a handsignal to Hoffpauir before the game indicating his swing was just a pinch off the night before and he expected a sweet spot power shot tonight. Hoffpauir's blast to right was on the first pitch, making that a magic moment in the booth and both Len and Bob were somewhat giddy. Len Kasper couldn't recall any such prognostication from his partner in their 5 years together. It brought a game that felt like the Cubs were behind by a million runs actually back to a 3-2 defecit and made me realize that Ryan Dempster was having quite a solid outing.

Brenly the Prognosticator? Ryan Dempster deftly lasted into the 7th inning although on TV, Len and Bob thought he was done after 6 and they expressed their surprise to see him out on the mound beginning the 7th after over 100 pitches. After back to back HR's to Counsell and Braun, Dempster was done at 121 pitches. Cotts and Patton made the really ugly 7th a six spot for the Brewers.

During the disgusting 7th and 8th innings, the walkmasters paraded their stuff including walk(s) from Cotts, Patton, Fox and Heilman. I was suffering along with Ron Santo who said on the radio: "anytime you have 7 walks you don't deserve to win." Six of the nine walks the Cubs pitchers gave up came from the bullpen.

In the top of the 8th, the Cubs brought it back to  9-6 defecit with a 4 spot including back to back doubles by Fukudome and Bradley but the bullpen was yet to complete pouring kerosene on the ballgame.

The bottom of the 8th started with Chad Fox on the mound who promptly walked Braun (on 7 pitches) then blew out his right elbow on a pitch that was five feet high and wide above the strike zone. As we all know Fox's elbow has had multiple reconstructions and after his last term with the Cubs in which his usage by Dusty Baker drew criticism, he didn't get another surgery...just a miracle feeling that he could pitch on scar and duct tape. Apologies to Mr. Baker, time didn't heal that wound. In a 24 hour period the Cubs have exposed both the proximal humerus and the distal humerus. Ouch.

Chad Fox is now on the DL and the Cubs have called up Jose Ascanio from AAA Iowa as the bullpen parade continues.

Injury Delay...photo of Chad Fox after icing his elbow postgame.

Aaron Heilman replaces Chad Fox

Heilman promptly wets his pants by walking Fielder (4 pitches), Hardy (4 pitches) and Hart (6 pitches), with Hart's for the second run of the inning. Nobody to the rescue (Mets fans must be laughing their asses off). The cliche coaching visit to the mound does no good and then Duffy singles for another run and Kendall hits a sac fly for the Brewer's12th run.

As Arizona Phil has explained, Chad Fox was brought to the majors so that the Cubs will have roster flexibility if they get to the post-season. The Boy Scouts 60 day DL mastery merit badge goes to Jim Hendry.

 

Tags
Aaron Heilman
Chad Fox
Jose Ascanio
David Patton
Neil Cotts

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:11 pm

Soriano, Miles(SS), Fukudome, Bradley, Hoffpauir, Soto, Fontenot (3b), Scales (2b), Marshall vs Weeks, Hart, Braun, Fielder, Cameron, Hardy, Hall, Kendall, Suppan

Submitted by navigator on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:32 pm

Nice article Cubster. Jose Ascanio (0.94 WHIP), who just turned 24 on May 2, has been outstanding with the AAA Cubs this spring. Hope it translates to the majors. But how can a guy who stands six feet tall with this gut (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/A/jose-ascanio.shtml)only weigh 150 lbs.? Re: the game notes: you failed to mention that "Genius Jim" traded a healthy, although he plays baseball like a wounded cockroach, Joey Gathright for a terminally injured whiney-assed pariah with a hamstring as tight as a piano wire (not to be confused with Uncle Milty) who had to be scratched from the starting lineup yesterday on his first day with the Cubs. (Is that a record?) On a positive note... Nice to see Fukudome break out of his 3/25 funk with two hits and DPLee continue to sit allowing Micah Hoffpauir to start at first base.

Submitted by dc60124 on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:03 pm

time to move fox from the "cubs bullpen usage" chart to the no-doubt-soon-to-be-created "cubs dl chart". z-aram-lee-fox; quite the talent pool there. here's hoping kosuke, bradley, and hoff get revved up. is soto enduring the sophomore blues? or was he a one-year wonder? still, i don't miss gabor the great. go cubs! no sweepage today, please.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:51 pm

As Arizona Phil has explained, Chad Fox was brought to the majors so that the Cubs will have roster flexibility if they get to the post-season. The Boy Scouts 60 day DL mastery merit badge goes to Jim Hendry. As I am sure AZ Phil was saying that tongue-in-cheek, it still cost Hendry around $500K for that flexibility. And of course then there is Lou who is undoubtedly going to get blasted for hurting Fox's arm. I guess we can add Fox to the name of Lou's arms he has killed. :)

Submitted by Jeff_Pico on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:24 pm

Pretty big win here, after 2 bullpen disasters. Guzman really came through with those 2 big innings. I think its time to move him into Heilman's spot give him the 7th inning. Marshall had nothing the first 2 innings but righted the ship. Fontenot had some nice plays at 3rd. The offense was good enough. Soto still looks bad. Freel did his best Gathright impression by being picked off lol Moving forward I think the next 2 series vs the Padres and Astros are pretty big 4-2 or even 5-1 would look pretty nice.

Submitted by The E-Man on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:42 pm

Marshall's MO this year is he gives up 2 or 3 early on, then pitches well for tje next 5-7 innings. he is still young, amd I hope he finds a way to rid himself of this. i recall Marquis did the same thing for us.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:41 pm

I'm too lazy to back this up with stats so this is just a thought but it seems like Marshall would have a decent game one outing and really suck the next last year. This year he's been pretty consistent. This is almost 3/44 cuz I have said it so much but I'll never forget when Maddux was here and Marshall would park his ass next to him. Did it on more than one occasion. Students of the game often do well when they have some talent to mix in with it. And he does have a nice curve and moves around the plate nicely when he's on.

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:12 pm

gwwaaaa.... ESPN crew is about to drive me nuts talking about roids rather than...oh...calling the game. blah blah blah blah blah.... guess what crew...these roiders keep getting contracts, they're for huge money, and so far...all i can tell...the downside is you might miss 1-2 months of pay and not get in the HOF. making 10m dollars vs. 1m and no chance at HOF anyway. get caught and stay employed and pursued by other teams...giambi approves...sarge jr. definitely approves. lemmie see...what would i do...

Submitted by Cubster on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:55 pm

ESPN crew is about to drive me nuts -------- solution = mute button I miss fire Joe Morgan.com

Submitted by Ryno on Sun, 05/10/2009 - 05:40 pm

The ESPN Crew is designed for the sports jocks who watch ESPN all day. For true baseball fans, they are brutal.

Submitted by Dmac on Mon, 05/11/2009 - 05:45 pm

Does anyone know if Soto's still hurt? Could be my imagination, but his swing looks like he's favoring his lumbar or something.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Wesneski and Mastrobuoni to Iowa

    Taillon and Wisdom up

    Wesneski can't pitch for a couple of days after the 4 IP from last night. But Jed picked Wicks over Wesneski.

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