Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

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

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

It's Burke's Law

LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke threw three innings of no run/no hit ball with five strikeouts and Jeimer Candelario and Dan Vogelbach cracked back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 3-3, but the Mariners pushed across a run in the bottom of the 8th to take back the lead and added three more in a tack-on 9th to defeat the Cubs 7-3 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Mariners Field #2 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ.

The game was extended an extra half-inning so that Cubs LHRP Andrew McKirahan could get his pre-scheduled one inning of work, but he probably wishes the team had just gone home after the top of the 9th with a 4-3 loss because he surrendered two long home runs (one to Phillips Castillo and the other to Jaban Blash) in the bottom of the 9th,

In addition to his game-tying RBI single, Dan Vogelbach walked three more times today, giving him seven walks in his last 12 Plate Appearances (over three games). So far at Instructs, Vogelbach is hitting just .241, but with a 406 OBP.

And with a triple and a single today, 17-year old switch-hitting 3B Jeimer Candelario is now hitting a robust 333/379/518.

While the Cubs were playing the Matiners in an AZ Instructional League game on Mariners Field #2, Goodyear (Reds/Indians) was playing Peoria (Padres/Mariners) in an AZ Parallel League (APL) game on Mariners Field #1.

The APL (AKA "Advanced Instructional League") is designed for players too advanced for traditional Instructs, but not advanced enough for the Arizona Fall League (AFL). At present only the MLB clubs that have their minor league HQ based in a shared facility in western Maricopa County (CIN & CLE in Goodyear, CHW & LAD in Glendale, SEA & SD in Peoria, and TEX & KC in Surprise) are fielding teams in the APL.

It would be more complicated for MLB clubs based in eastern Maricopa County to field an APL team, because five of the seven east-side teams (LAA, MIL, OAK, SF, and the CUBS) do not share a facility with another MLB organization.

Here is the abridged box score from today's Cubs-Mariners AZ Instructional League game (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-2 (K, 1B, BB, BB, R, RBI)
2a. Yaniel Cabezas, C-DH: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, 6-3 DP)
2b. Justin Marra, PH: 0-0 (BB, R)
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (3B, 4-3, 6-3, 1B, RBI)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-1 (BB, BB, BB, 1B, RBI)
5. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 0-4 (P-4, K, 6-3 DP, 5-U FC)
6a. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF: 0-3 (K, F-8, K)
6b. Trey Martin, LF: 0-1 (E-5)
7. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-4 (P-6, F-8, K, F-7)
8. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 0-3 (L-4, BB, E-5, 6-3, R)
9. Mark Malave, DH #2: 1-4 (3-U, 1B, F-8, K)
10. Garrett Schlecht, RF: 0-3 (K, BB, 2-3, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Kyler Burke: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. David Henrie: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 33 pitches (19 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Ian Dickson: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 23 pitches (16 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
4. Jose Rosario: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 31 pitches (14 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
5. Andrew McKirahan: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 1 PO, 22 pitches (13 strikes)
NOTE: Add-on bottom of the 9th was stopped with two outs when McKirahan reached his pre-planned pitch limit

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Yaniel Cabezas: 0-2 CS
2. Neftali Rosario: 0-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 22

WEATHER: Partly cloudy and VERY breezy with temperatures in the 70’s

Comments

Wainwright-less in the LCS, I hate them so much, so, so much. I'll take Det vs. Mil which means it will be Cardinals vs. Rangers

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I'll go Milwaukee vs. Texas. Texas just looks too well-rounded right now. Over a 7 game series, not sure Detroit can overcome their balance. That said, Detroit's Benoit/Valverde tag team is nasty, so if they can build a lead, get enough SP, who knows. I think Milwaukee's pitching will be too much for St. Louis, though.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

That seems like a fair read, but don't underestimate what Detroit has in the rotation. 1-4 I think I'll take the Tigers rotation over the Rangers. Scherzer has come on nicely, Fister is having a breakout year, and Porcello is inconsistent but has the potential to dominate any one game. The real problem with the Tigers is that the offense is hot and cold. You know the Rangers are going to score at least some runs, so they need to be consistent enough to get 4 of 7. The Rangers probably won't score than less than 3 runs more than once in the series.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

On a related note.....Does any team make more sense than Milwaukee for Aramis? Figure that Mat Gamel at first and Aramis at 3rd will be at least the production of Fielder and Casey Mc provided this year. Gives them at least one more year to keep that window open.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I'd argue Anaheim makes as much sense, if not more, than Milwaukee. They desperately need a middle of the order run producer. Even with some bad contracts, you could still occasionally hide Aramis' defense by DH'ing him.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

I thought it then, but I thought the Greinke trade was a steal for Milwaukee. I did not like the talent KC got for him. I wasn't a big fan of the Marcum trade since they gave up Lawrie for him, and Lawrie looks like he's going to be a superb offensive player.

AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance?

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher.

[ ]

In reply to by toonsterwu

Submitted by toonsterwu on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:38pm. my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher. ================================== TOONSTER: Conventional wisdom when Kyler Burke moved to pitcher at the end of Minor L:eague Camp last March was that he would eventually be a lefty reliever, and while that still might be the case, I am beginning to believe that he might project as a lefty starter. He has an assortment of pitches (mid-90's fastball, plus-curve, and a change-up, and I think he is throwing a harder breaking ball now, too), and he seems to have the stamina to throw multiple innngs without losing anything off his fastball or breaking ball. Although he is eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, I doubt that he will get selected simply because he hasn't pitched above Boise. But this time next year is when the Cubs are going to have to decide whether to add him to the 40 or allow him to leave as a Six-Year Minor League FA. The only way the Cubs can for sure keep him from walking away and signing with another organization post-2012 is by adding him to the 40-man roster by the 4th day following the conclusion of the 2012 World Series.

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:22pm. AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance? ================================ K-BANSAW: Kyler Burke is eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft this December, but he is probably safe (from the Cubs POV) since he hasn't pitched above Boise. But you never know. All it takes is one scout from one club to get the hots for him, and he could get selected. However, Burke is eligible to be a Rule 55 Six-Year Minor League FA (6YFA) after next season, so the Cubs will probably add him to the 40-man roster post-2012 even if he hasn't progressed beyond Daytona, just to keep him from walking away and signing with another club. As for Junior Lake and Marcus Hatley, an eye-popping performance in the AFL would probably get Lake and/or Hatley a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster, but anything less than that probably won't, and if either or both do get a spot on the 40 next month, it probably would mean that Jay Jackson, Jeffry Antigua and/or Dae-Eun Rhee will not.

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. Wouldn't surprise me if Yanks make a run at Pujols or Fielder and possibly trade Teixeira, could also DH him, but that's a tougher sell to the FA that he's coming to take Teix's job with the guy still there. of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market. I'm OK with that. He's older than Soriano was when we got him, and showed signs of decline this year (though onr non-typical sign). Let the Cardinals give him an eight year deal.

I'd like to give a personal "Fuck You" to Carlos Marmol for nailing down a playoff spot to the Cards. It is comforting to know that Jim Hendry sealed him up for two more years. I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible. Although it is incredible that the Cards organization has seen such success over the last 60 years, while the Cubs have done nothing.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

"I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible." True. At least the Packers do it with talent. The Cardinals have four stars, and one hasn't played all year.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I must not hate the Cardinals if I can be coaxed into their camp by the mere fact of my mother-in-law being an avid Phillies fan. But if I did hate the Cardinals I would be pissed at Marmol for prying open their coffin-lid on that last Saturday in September.

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. --- per rotoworld, the last line is key to Reuben Amaro Jr's newest pain (5/125). Achilles ruptures are usually described as feeling like getting hit in the calf with a baseball bat or the "pop" has been described as hearing a gunshot go off. I kinda like the flat tire description too. Although some achilles ruptures can be treated non-surgically, most performance athletes get this injury surgically repaired. The re-rupture rate is lower with surgical repair and the rehab can be started much sooner. Still, this will leave him with some permanent calf muscle deficit even after full rehab. Because he's not much of a runner before the injury and plays 1B, it probably won't have much impact. It might affect his fielding range a bit.
Ryan Howard believes he may have torn his left Achilles tendon while attempting to run out a ground ball on the final play of Friday's Game 5 loss to the Cardinals in the NLDS. Howard suffered the injury as soon as he got out of the batter's box and was unable to run to first base. "I was trying to run, and I just felt this pop," said Howard. "The whole thing just went numb, like it was on fire. Just tried to keep going, and went down. It literally felt like I was on a flat tire. I tried to get up. Couldn't go." Howard is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday, but could miss part of the 2012 season if the injury requires surgery. Coincidentally, next season is the first year of his five-year, $125 million contract extension.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The winning finalists for Chicago and Los Angeles will accept the Baltimore job, acquire Soriano and Wells, and then "upgrade" themselves. Let it be.

it's not the first year of the ARam deal that should concern them (unless they are the team that moves back to the AL, then he can DH).

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

rsox need to just give him an extension already and get this over with. i totally believe 3+ cubs suits flew all the way out to boston just to have some really really fresh clam chowduh.

damn... r.howard out until may/june 2012 according to mlb network..."preliminary reports"

followup on Ryan Howard...from rotoworld:
Ryan Howard has indeed been diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon and will undergo offseason surgery... He's likely to miss the entire first half of the 2012 season, and could even be out the entire year.
Source: Danny Knobler on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/DKnobler/status/122838487270563840 and Knobler followup tweet: I know people are assuming Howard is out for all 2012, but trainer I talked to said unless surgery goes bad, it's usually 6 month recovery. My thoughts: He should be healed and released for baseball activities by spring (Oct-Feb is 4 1/2 months) but may not be running well enough to play until mid season. Injury replacement Depth at 1B is so to speak, the Phillies Achilles heel. Ross Gload and a platoon from AAA (lh, Jeff Larish and rh, Cody Overbeck) are the official depth behind Howard. Something will be done to shore up that hole. Makes Bryan LaHair look better every second. Dusty would have acquired Neifi for such a dilemma and moved Utley to 1B.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

they got j.mayberry and b.francisco at least...don't think francisco has played 1st, though. mayberry's slotted to take over in LF i'd imagine, but francisco or mayberry could handle it. ...plus outside cheap options. meh.

I was thinking the same thing, crunch. Pancakes to the Angels makes too much sense. (that was in response to crunch a little higher up...don't know why it didn't thread off of his comment)

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).