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

Rotation Shuffle

In the wake of yesterday's tragedy, the Cubs will likely shuffle their rotation a bit. Angel Guzman was scheduled to be called up tomorrow but Lou is now leaning towards Sunday May 6th against the Nationals as he wants to split up Rich Hill and Ted Lilly from going back to back days. So the rotation will likely be: Today @ Pittsburgh: Rich Hill May 1st @ Pittsburgh: Ted Lilly May 2nd @ Pittsburgh: Jason Marquis May 4th vs. Washington: Carlos Zambrano May 5th vs Washington: Rich Hill May 6th vs Washington: Angel Guzman May 8th vs. Pittsburgh: Ted Lilly May 9th vs. Pittsburgh: Jason Marquis May 10th vs Pittsburgh: Carlos Zambrano May 11th @ Philadelphia: Rich Hill May 12th @ Philadelphia: Angel Guzman May 13th @ Philadelphia: Ted Lilly and so on... In actuality, the Cubs really don't need a 5th starter until May 12th as they have two more scheduled off-days between now and then on May 3rd and 7th. Lou could stick with the plan to have Guzman go tomorrow and still break up the lefties but Angel isn't quite stretched out completely as a starter and PNC is usually friendlier to lefty pitchers, so waiting until May 6th makes some sense and gives Angel one more AAA start and an easier 2007 starter debut versus the Nationals. Also, Bob Howry should be 100% by tonight after injuring his back moving a barbecue grill over the weekend. Too many jokes, too little time.

Comments

yeah, Duke vs. Cubs 6 GS, 4-1, 45 IP, 1 CG, 1 SO, 1.40 ERA, 39 H, 7 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 22 K I think he had a good start his last start but he's 1-2 with a 6.92 ERA this year. Murton better get the start tonight though 9/17 .529/556/824 career Cedeno 438/438/438 against him as well just about owns everyone else Barrett 0/10 Izturis 3/10 Ramirez 3/15 Theriot 1/8 Jones/Floyd combined: 0/11 Soriano: 2/5 Lee: 3/13

That's true...we'd be about the only ones not hitting him this year: 1-2, 6.92 ERA, 26 IP, 38 Hits, 6K/5BB, 3 HR's The Cubs don't hit lefies very well it seems...I could be wrong.

Yes, the Cubs certainly have a history of making even mundane lefties look unhittable. I hope that there are enough new faces in the lineup to reverse that trend.

Hmmm...career splits indicate that everyone is decent againt LHP except Jones and Cedeno, with Duke being the exception, with Izzy, Murton, Theriot, and DeRosa significantly better against LHP.

Dusty Baylor: "The Cubs don’t hit lefies very well it seems…I could be wrong." No, you are right on: Cubs vs. LHP: .218/.277/.368/.645 Cubs vs. RHP: .277/.333/.423/.756

Those numbers above were this year. 2006 was nowhere as bad: vs. LHP: .253/.314/.397/.711 vs. RHP: .274/.321/.432/.753

Kind of off the subject a little. Did anyone catch the Lou Piniella to Joe Girardi comment on the Saturday telecast on FOX? Lou basically said that he is playing Cliff Floyd over Matt Murton not because Floyd is the better player. More because not playing your proven vets can cause trouble in the clubhouse. I have long suspected that this is a route cause in alot of Dusty's questionable moves and it explains some of Lou's as well. Jim Hendry absolutely new that signing Floyd would put Lou in this situation.

I don't think it is just lefties that this team does not hit very well. It seems to me, and I don't have the numbers in front of me to back this up, but they don't hit pitchers who change speed very well at all. It seems that any pitcher who relies on the change up or other pitches that rely on deception and location baffles the cubs over the last several years. And since there are more lefties that throw this way make it look worse against them. Of course, I could be way off base here and there are probably numbers that will make me look like an idiot, but I will still throw this out there as a thought.

"More because not playing your proven vets can cause trouble in the clubhouse" Anyone want to apologize for the misguided abuse you threw at Dusty for doing this, now that you know it's SOP in the MLB?

uh no.... Lou doesn't seem to have a problem sitting Jones, Floyd or Izturis at the moment. We haven't faced a lot of lefties and we have too many OF'ers, Murton will play. I didn't hear the actual comment, but Floyd hasn't been playing a whole lot to be honest, nor has Murton. Both are hitting about the same. As long as no one's bitching too much and he's giving the AB's to capable players, I don't care and I doubt the team does either. On other hand, giving Neifi any AB's is an egregious mistake by any means. :)

Anyone want to apologize for the misguided abuse you threw at Dusty for doing this, now that you know it’s SOP in the MLB? No, not really. Even if it is SOP, which I doubt, it's still stupid.

My point, Andrew, is not whether it's stupid or not. My point is that this is a practice not limited to Dumb Dusty Baker. So the frustration and outrage at Dusty was misguided.

Actually, Chad's kind of right about it. It is SOP, most places. Rookies and young guys don't get to whine and complain about not playing. Veterans do.

The big difference between Dusty and Lou from what I've seen is that Lou actually seems to like the competition between his players and will reward the better performed with additional playing time. Theriot played well, and now he's going to take a big chunk of the SS playing time away from Izzy. I love Murt and would like to see him playing everyday, but he hasn't really performed yet for Lou at the level that would earn him the regular starting position.

Rob G.: "On other hand, giving Neifi any AB’s is an egregious mistake by any means. :)" If that's the case, giving Izturis and/or Cedeno any AB's is an equally egregious mistake. :)

yeah, except Izturis and Cedeno already lost their gigs to a better hitter, Dusty had a 3 yr running joke that wasn't really funny.

Vorare: "I love Murt and would like to see him playing everyday, but he hasn’t really performed yet for Lou at the level that would earn him the regular starting position." But Murton is supposedly an above average LF and had a .912 OPS in the 2nd half last year. That's not good enough for Lou??? (sarcasm)

DeRosa may not have any ABs against Duke, but he killed lefties in '06 (342/394/589). Soriano must be about ready to explode. This lefty whammy against the Cubs could end pretty soon. Also, as someone who likened Lou to Dusty a couple of weeks ago--I take it back. They're not at all the same. While a certain deference may be owed to older players, Dusty took this to an extreme, to the point of seldom using pinch runners and defensive replacements. Lou uses almost the entire non-pitching roster in close games, whereas Dusty mostly managed the bullpen. If Lou had a bigger roster he would use even more subs. With Dusty, the expanded roster in September meant more young guys on the bench watching the older guys.

But Murton is supposedly an above average LF and had a .912 OPS in the 2nd half last year. That’s not good enough for Lou??? Which is why I wrote that he has not "PERFORMD YET FOR LOU". Because, if you remembr correctly, Lou wasn't the manager last year. But thanks for the useless smartass remark, as per usual.

Chad did say it was SOP. He didn't say why. I said why. That's what I'm saying. Not what Chad's saying. You know what I'm saying?

Vorare: "Because, if you remembr correctly, Lou wasn’t the manager last year." Yes I do remember. But thanks for the useless smartass remark, as per usual...:)

I really don't get how anyone (sorry, Chad) can harbor any fond feelings for Dusty after what he didn't accomplish here. The best quote to come out of the 2003 NLCS was, "One manager managed game 6 as if it was the 7th game of the World Series, and the other as if it was the rubber game of a mid-August series with a division rival." He again had enough talent in 2004 to AT LEAST make the playoffs and his laid-back managerial style let Cub broadcasters become the players' central issues instead of the NL Central. By any objective measurement, Dusty was a FAILURE as a manager: 1. He played favorites 2. He made playing time for Neifi, Holly, et al more important than who could actually benefit the team. 3. He mis-managed his pitching staff, especially his bullpen. 4. He let peripheral issues interfer with his team's focus on winning the Division. 5. Etc.,etc., etc. AND I was in favor of the Cubs getting Dusty from the Giants in 2002. I don't know if Lou will produce any better results, but here's the thing if you've ever held a management position: The team's with the most talent (or payroll) don't get it done, it's the team who's manager gets everyone to perform to their best capabilities that win. That wasn't Dusty in Chicago, and that's why he's gone.

Better yet... anyone want to argue about the correct terminology for over/under five hundred?

George, I was strictly talking about Dusty always getting heat from this board about sticking with 'proven vets'. Plain and simple. dave, and emerging beane/sabremetric argument? Where ever would you get that idea?

George, I was strictly talking about Dusty always getting heat from this board about sticking with ‘proven vets’. well if that was your point, Lou has done nothing of the sort.

"aaronb — April 30, 2007 @ 11:40 am Kind of off the subject a little. Did anyone catch the Lou Piniella to Joe Girardi comment on the Saturday telecast on FOX? Lou basically said that he is playing Cliff Floyd over Matt Murton not because Floyd is the better player. More because not playing your proven vets can cause trouble in the clubhouse. " This is what started the whole thing.

Under Dusty- Theriot spent a month on the bench in favor of Neifi and Tony Womack Under Lou- Theriot playing time and now starting gig.

Vorare: "Better yet… anyone want to argue about the correct terminology for over/under five hundred?" Yeah, where is Cubfan at this year??? Haven't heard from him.

Under Dusty: Murton got 508 PA's in 2006 Under Lou: Murton on pace for 310 PA's in 2007

manny... i don' remember cliff floyd and alfonso soriano on the roster last year, do you? don't you think that changes a few things?

Okay, change of pace- Is Craig Biggio the worst 3000 hit hitter ever? 4 seasons over .300 1 over 200 hits Just asking.

I don't have the 3000 hit guys memorized but considering where he played a lot of games and how well he did as a leadoff guy, I'd say no. Not to mention a position switch from catcher to 2b. The end of his career is killing his career stats though.

I looked them up. He's the 'worst' IMO. I think it's a bad way of putting it but I'd pretty much want ever other player on my team before him.

Chad- Agreed "I’d pretty much want ever other player on my team before him. " Team do you mean by the Cubs this year?

It isnt like Lou made the Theriot move right away. It did take 22 games to make an obvious move. And we still dont know how permanent such a move is. To me the main difference is that Dusty had zero testicular fortitude to sit a vet. Lou has some sack, but it is alot easier for him to bench a 5'7 shortstop than it is for him to sit a 6'4 Outfielder.

Eddie Murray?? Murray was a frigging stud!!! He played most of career pre-steroid, pre early 90's expansion...back when hitting 20 HR's was a really good season, and 35 put you int the top 5 for the league lead. I'm just sayin'

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.