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

Reed Johnson's Weak Back

Oh, about a week back.

When Reed Johnson collided with Ray's 1B Willie Aybar to end the Tuesday game in Tampa, he looked like a pinball bouncing off a bumper. Given that he missed most of last year because of a lumbar disc herniation, ultimately treated by surgery in April 07, I knew this could be trouble. Playing two series on astroturf (Toronto and Tampa consecutively), worried me just because of his history of back surgery. It's being reported that he was suffering from back spasms since the collision.

Supposedly he was available for pinch hitting duty for Thursday but he hasn't been used since the collision. A tidbit in this morning's Tribune says he received an anti-inflammatory injection in his back on Thursday. So unless that information is a bit off, he might have been given the injection in Tampa. The team didn't fly back to Chicago until the wee hours of Friday morning for the day game against the Sox. If he did get an epidural cortisone injection (ESI), it's similar to how Daryle Ward's herniated disc condition was treated although I don't believe Ward has ever had surgery on his disc, so it's not quite comparable. Ward's rehabbing in Arizona and is getting a minor league rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs this week before probably coming off the DL for the Sox series next weekend. Hence, DWard's DL stint is going to amount to just short of 6 weeks.

If Reed Johnson does go on the DL Monday (an off day before the Baltimore series), expect Sean Marshall's call up to mean that Eric Patterson (or Matt Murton) gets to stay up more than their usual 3 day stint for a change. Somehow I don't understand why they didn't fill the roster spot sooner, unless Reed Johnson truely was capable of playing. We've been playing a man short since last Tuesday, more if you consider Edmonds missed a few games. If the scrappy one (of scrappy, scrappier and scrappiest fame) was capable of pinch hitting (explaining why he's not on the DL yet) but hasn't been used, any DL stint can still be retroactive to his last game on June 17th.

Comments

It seems like only yesterday that stuff like this would have been headline news. But since I don't see a report anywhere, FELIX PIE was pulled in the 4th inning of yesterday's I-Cubs game with a HAND INJURY. He was supposed to be examined by MDs last night.

nice pickup Nav... here is the link to the Des Moines Register mention of Pie's hand: http://tinyurl.com/3s78ty I also saw that Kevin Hart was put on Iowa's DL because of his concussion. here's the pertinent play by play stuff: http://tinyurl.com/4t3co4 Iowa Top 1st Felix Pie flies out to center fielder Lorenzo Scott. Daryle Ward grounds out, third baseman Dallas McPherson to first baseman John Gall. Iowa Top 4th •Felix Pie grounds out, pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz to first baseman John Gall. Daryle Ward grounds out, second baseman Andrew Beattie to first baseman John Gall. Albuquerque Bottom 4th Defensive Substitution: Josh Kroeger replaces center fielder Felix Pie, batting 2nd, playing right field. Dallas McPherson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Josh Kroeger. Andrew Beattie grounds into double play, pitcher Hector Carrasco to shortstop Andres Blanco to first baseman Daryle Ward. Dallas McPherson out at 2nd. John Baker grounds out, second baseman Bobby Scales to first baseman Daryle Ward. Albuquerque Bottom 5th Defensive Substitution: Jason Dubois replaces first baseman Daryle Ward, batting 3rd, playing first base.

I almost hate to ask, Doctor - but your opinion on Edmonds sore foot would be appreciated, if you have one at this time. He looked like he was grimacing yesterday rounding the bases - obviously not a problem regarding his hitting performance, but maybe he came back too soon from that injury.

Edmonds sore foot ========== I've hear Edmonds has plantar fascitis which translates to inflammation of the fibrous arch in the foot (called the plantar fascia). http://tinyurl.com/5frwaj This is common and treatment varies a bit depending on where the pain is, either the arch or the bottom of the heel. It sounded like his problem is chronic with an acute flareup during the game in Tampa. So I expect it's a day to day thing. Treatment include all the usual suspects, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy such as stretching, massage and deep heat modalities (like ultrasound). Total contact cushioned arch supports can be made to make sure the contact forces in the arch are evenly distributed. It it isn't responding a cortisone injection can be given but that works better if the soreness is near the heel and not the mid arch. It's more common in basketball players because of the hard court but that damn artificial turf probably was the culprit this time. The problem of deciding how soon to come back is tricky as it often flares even when prolonged rest is given. Plantar fascitis doesn't do reliably well with surgery so procedures are reserved only to the condition when it's very chronic and hasn't responded to other options. In fact, they are using high frequency ultrasonic shock wave therapy (kind of like lithotrypsy for breaking up kidney stones) as an alternative to surgery and that may have some value over surgery for chronic unresponsive cases. I believe Magglio Ordonez had this treatment for his knee which was diagnosed as avascular necrosis. This significantly affected his value when he was a free agent although the Tigers took on that risk which worked out.I don't know of any other players that have had it for plantar fascitis though, although there may be some out there, especially in the NBA.

Brewers winning again, 7-3 in the 8th over the Orioles, and look really hot right now. Fielder also went yard again.

Freddie Bynum was DFAed today by the Orioles.

Bosox take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of 8, Crisp triple, sac fly; bases loaded walk. Papelbon on the mound now.

stoopid papelbon...3-3. two out walk, double by Kennedy. friggin' stl horseshoe. on to the bottom of 9

Dempster on Soto from an ESPN column (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3455763): Dempster also is quick to point to one of the Cubs' young players, catcher Geovany Soto, as one of the club's keys. "He gets a lot of attention from how well he swings the bat," Dempster said. "But he takes a lot more pride in becoming a better catcher, in being able to improve as a handler of pitchers. He'll strike out at the plate, come back to the dugout and sit with the pitcher, asking him how he wants to pitch to the hitters in the next inning. The guy just really cares about being a complete catcher, and all our pitchers really appreciate how hard he works."

Thanks for the medical update regarding Edmonds, Cubster. I had the same thing way back in my mid - 20's, and had to give up running for long distances forever more, even after being fitted for orthotic inserts. It hurt like hell, can't imagine what a professional has to go through with that kind of injury on a daily basis.

This is f-ing ridiculous. Red Sox have bases loaded and 1 out in the 11th and Isringhuasen strikes out the next two.

And Red Sox have a lead-off double in the 12th but runner gets thrown out at third trying to advance on a hard one-hopper to the second basemen. No runs.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).