Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Cubs Bullpen Does Not Contribute to Crushing Defeat This Time

Submitted by Rob G. on

It took 11 innings, but the Cubs walk away with their first road victory in almost a month.

Why the Cubs Won: Another good outing from the starting staff, which are 5th in the league in ERA (not sure if that is before or including tonight's game). Ignoring that the Braves are closer to the bottom than the top in NL offense and were missing their best hitter, Lilly shut the Braves out through 5 on one hit before giving up a run in the 6th. It could have been worse if not for a defensive gem by Ryan Theriot snagging a shot by Matt Diaz to his right, spinning clockwise on his knees and throwing a strike to Andres Blanco for the force out.  Lilly then gave up an unearned run in the 7th thanks to his own throwing error and Chipper Jones before calling it a night. We know he could have pitched a complete game shutout if he wanted to, but he figured the bullpen needed a pick-me up from last night and gave them a chance to redeem themselves.

Marmol cruised through his inning in the 8th, Guzman pitched 2 scoreless innings (0.91 WHIP and 2.49 ERA so far) and Gregg did not throw a meatball to Jeff Francouer tonight and the Cubs end up on the right side of the a one-run game.

On offense, Derrek Lee went 2 for 3 with 2 walks and has his OPS almost up to .800 and ended up scoring the winning run. One of those walks was on a questionable check swing that would have been a strike 'em out, throw-em out double play but the Cubs caught a break. Mike Fontenot then lined a double to the base of the wall in deep center for the Cubs only two runs off Derrek Lowe. 

The Cubs wasted a few opportunities until the 11th when Lee led off with a walk. Fontenot was allowed to hit away and flied to left and Lee was able to tag from first base as left fielder Matt Diaz's momentum carried him into foul territory...nice to see good baserunning for once. Reed Johnson singled just past a diving Chipper leaving runners on the corners and Micah Hoffpauir in to pinch hit as the last bat on the bench. Bobby Cox went with lefty and after going to 2-2 on Hoffpauir, the Hoff took a slider low and away and just poked into left field over Chipper Jones to score Lee and the winning run...a real nice piece of hitting.

Speaking of our pen: Reader jacos relays this brief interaction with ex-Cub Michael Wuertz at last night's A's/White Sox game:

Went to Sox game tonight against Oakland.

I went down to bullpen bar before game and sat by RF fence as A's took batting practice.

Wuertz was shagging and a ball came over by the fence.
I said "Michael, Cubs could have used you last night."

He stopped and leaned against the fence, smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

I said "you wouldn't have thrown a cock high fastball to Francour." He laughed.

And then I said "How's Oakland treating you?"

He said "They are letting me pitch here."

I said good luck and he waved and went back to shagging.

Cubs go for the series win tomorrow as Carlos Zambrano returns from his suspension.

 

 

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Comments

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 06:34 am

(links from mlbtr) http://twitter.com/mlbCoz/status/2024913243 I wouldn't mind seeing if Wilson Betemit would come in, preferably with a minor league deal and a few weeks in AAA. I don't think Betemit is all that great, but we're trotting out Bobby Scales and Mighty Mike at 2nd and 3rd. I think it'd be worth the gamble, and Betemit would be a decent backup with his ability to play multiple positions (not saying he plays them well, just that he can play them) and offer a little pop with his bat. Would definitely prefer Betemit to Aaron Miles (though that isn't saying much). Now, if the cost is too much, then nevermind. Jamie Walker may get released. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-osnotes0603,0,2969900.s… I don't know what he has left, but sometimes a change of scenery does wonder for pen arms (see JC Romero). If he gets released, I wouldn't mind stashing him in AAA if he's willing. If he has nothing left, then dump him. Hayden Penn may get DFA'd. http://joefrisaro.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06 /penn_being_designated.html Wouldn't mind seeing if we can add him, although this is far less significant than the other two moves. Raw arm that showed promise 2 years ago but has fallen apart.

[ ]

Submitted by toonsterwu on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 06:58 am

Well ... I'd counter with why not if the price is right. (I'm just referring to Betemit right now). a) It's not like we're trotting out anything special right now. Bobby Scales is a nice feel good story, but limited to say the least. I want Jake Fox to get some AB's, but I don't love the idea of him at 3rd and I don't expect Lou to give him a long look there. Fontenot has had some bad luck, but in the end, you gotta produce. Maybe he turns a corner, but b) More importantly, though, is depth. Our options at AAA are pretty eh right now. I'd also prefer Betemit as depth to someone like Miles. I like his versatility a bit better. Before anyone goes to UZR, I know the numbers don't suggest Betemit is a great defender at any position. He's got a little pop in his bat as well. I don't think he's as bad as his 45 AB's suggests (as much as 45 AB's could ever suggest anything). I definitely understand your point on why bother, as he's been bad, and he wasn't good to begin with (unless you go way back in time to when he was a top prospect) but I just don't think it's that bad an idea right now, unless the cost is too exorbitant, which I doubt, but you never know. There's no easy fix right now, so looking for lightning in a bottle if the price is right. In saying all this, that's me. I don't really see Hendry doing this, although nothing to base it on.

Submitted by navigator on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 06:02 am

That's 8 quality starts this year from Ted Lilly. The result of the MRI, Uncle Milty is day to day. But then he always is. And Lou has seen enough of Geo FatSoto. KOYIE HILL is going to start instead. "A few days watching might do him a little good," Piniella said. "If [Hill] plays well, he basically can write himself in the lineup a little more." http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1606550,CST-SPT-cubnt04.ar… Geo showed up this year 35 lbs heavier than 2008. Flashback to 2007, The Missing Kerry Wood and Henry Blanco Factor --- That changed last year. Before the season he joined Kerry Wood on a diet involving organic meals delivered to the players. “It’s just something he asked me about,” Wood said. “I came in and lost a lot of weight doing it. It felt good. I felt strong. So it just basically started out by talking about it, and I think actually Henry Blanco [Soto’s defense-minded backup catcher and one of his mentors] might have bought some of the dinners for him and got him started on it.” “I really, really focused on my weight. I lost like 20 pounds,” Soto told the Daily Herald late last season. “Then it was just a matter of being more aggressive at the plate and hitting the ball where it’s pitched.” - Chicago Reader

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • 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.

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