Cubs MLB Roster

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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

The End of the Impotence: Theriot's Homerless Streak is Broken

Ryan Theriot's grand slam on Friday put the Cubs ahead to stay, as did his first-inning home run on Saturday.

Friday's blast ended a string of 620 at-bats and 157 games in which Theriot had failed to homer. In terms of GP, Theriot's homerless string was the 15th longest among Cub non-pitchers since 1954.

The list of 15 follows:

  1. Don Kessinger (5/15/66 through 9/3/68) 404 G
  2. Larry Bowa (5/13/83 through 8/11/85), 310 G
  3. Mick Kelleher (4/17/76 through 10/5/80), 304 G
  4. Don Kessinger (8/16/72 through 7/11/74), 279 G
  5. Rey Sanchez (8/30/92 through 7/2/95), 256 G
  6. Richie Ashburn (4/12/60 through 10/1/61), 255 G
  7. Ivan DeJesus (5/28/80 through 10/4/81), 223 G
  8. Don Kessinger (7/13/74 through 9/28/75), 220 G
  9. Don Kessinger (4/24/70 through 6/11/71), 202 G
  10. Doug Dascenzo (5/5/91 through 10/4/92), 197 G
  11. Don Kessinger (7/4/71 through 8/13/72), 185 G
  12. Scot Thompson (7/4/80 through 7/19/83), 179 G
  13. Larry Bowa (4/5/82 through 5/7/83), 165 G
  14. Jimmy Stewart (4/18/65 through 5/14/67), 158 G
  15. Ryan Theriot (4/16/08 through 4/30/09), 157 G

That's a whole lotta shortstops and a whole lot named Kessinger. For what it's worth, Theriot had a far higher batting average (.311), on-base percentage (.387), and slugging percentage (.360) during his homerless streak than anyone else in this group.

And now, in 2009, he has as many home runs as Derrek Lee and Milton Bradley.

Stats from Baseball-Reference.com Play Index

 

Comments

Wow I never realized Scot Thompson had a complete lack of power. I remember him as a pinch hitter on some of the first Cubs teams I remember seeing around 82 or 83. And this was a guy who played first base quite a bit. A player like this today would pretty much be laughed out of the league. Even Doug Mienkiewicz hit doubles in his best years. Thompsons career OPS was 640 thats sub-Neifi/Miles. Thompson had 66 career extra base hits in 1391 at bats, to go along with only 17 stolen bases and 97 career walks. But he also only struck out 141 times.

Soriano, Riot, Fukudome, Lee, Bradley, Godenot, Soto, Miles, Z vs. Bonifacio, Baker, Ramirez, Cantu, Uggla, Hermida, Ross, Gload Nolasco

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Ross, Gload or Ross Gload? Punctuation joke. Funny stuff.

pulled hammy or something running out a bunt single... Derrek Lee sucks.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

See? I said that they shouldn't let Zambrano try to hit, he should just strike out every time up.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Z can't be hurt, I have been told many times the last couple days that the chances of him getting hurt hitting and running are so small that it is stupid for me to even bring it up...:) Firstly, let's hope it is not serious and that this stops Lou from using him as a PH anytime in the near future.

Foxsports's blurb on Bradley: News: Bradley homered in Chicago's 8-2 loss to Florida in 10 innings thursday night. Two bits of really important news there. The first is that crunch's spelling of 'thursday' is now the agreed one, but more bizarely, somehow Bradley homered 10 times, but the Cubs only scored 2 runs. Maybe the umps are out to get him.

I believe Esmalian Caridad was scheduled to start today for Iowa...looks like it might have been a rainout though.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

He pitched 3 scoreless innings in the suspended game. Chris Carpenter had a good day for Peoria, and Starlin Castro and Robinson Chirinos hit their first homeruns of Daytona's season. Anybody else think Caridad sees the majors this year?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

'Grit and Gravy' could have been another name for Theriot and Fontenaught. We're going to have to come up with some nickname for Chris Carpenter, being that his name is already taken... keeps confusing me. If there is a pitcher called up, I'd suspect he gets the chain re-action promotion to La Florida.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

"...or they may have to use the DL just because of the bench crunch." Alternatively, they could release or DFA Gathright in order to call someone up. They didn't even use him to pinch run today when Z got hurt, choosing to turn to Harden instead. Of course, I suppose one could blame that ON the bench crunch, rather than considering it another situation that exacerbates the bench crunch. To be fair, though, Harden is fast. Funny fast.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Yeah, Harden runs like someone using a hack in an FPS game. I'd be really interested in him and Gathright doing a foot race to first. I would guess that you're right about saving the 'bat' of Gathright for later in the game.

Submitted by Charlie on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:15pm.
He pitched 3 scoreless innings in the suspended game.

Anybody else think Caridad sees the majors this year?

==========================================

CHARLIE: I believe Esmailin Caridad will get promoted to the big leagues sometime this year. If the Cubs were to bring him up to replace Zambrano for a start or two and then option him back to Iowa, it wouldn't be any big deal, because Caridad gets four minor league option years since he has completed only one "full season" (2008) going into 2009. And he is 25, so he is probably as physically and emotionally mature now as he's ever going to be. He was developed by the Hiroshima Carp at their Dominican academy, so he knows all about the rigors of hard work. Also, Piniella apparently liked what he saw of Caridad in ST, keeping him around a little bit longer than was expected.

But Randy Wells would probably be the best bet to succeed at the big league level as a starter right now. A rubber-armed convetrted catcher and a Jon Lieber clone, Wells is 26, he's already on the 40-man roster, he throws strikes, he gets a lot of ground balls, and he has pitched well at Iowa so far this season. But he also hasn't pitched for several days because of the rain out at Memphis this weekend, so he might be out of synch to replace "Z" in the Cubs rotation on Friday.

It's also possible that if Zambrano can't make his next start, that Jeff Samardzija will start in his place, and Chad Fox will get brought up from Iowa. C. Fox has pitched very well at AAA and appears to be healthy, but even if he were to break down later this season, the Cubs could always put him on the DL and use his spot on the 40-man roster as a post-season roster exemption (like they did last year), presuming the Cubs make it to the NLDS.

I really like it. Would suggest that you put slightly recessed boxes around all the letters, and pull the 'E' forward so it doesn't look like an 'F', or do the new letter with the final 'R', since that's how a scoreboard operator would probably do it.

hybrid from the Muskat article linked above and the Sun-Times (Toni Ginnetti): --- "I tried to initially [take Zambrano out], but he told me that it was more of a cramp than anything else," Piniella said. "After a pitch, he realized it was more than that. I tried to get him out initially, and he talked me out of it. At first he tried to convince trainer Mark O'Neal and Piniella it was only a cramp. After one pitch to the next batter, Alfonso Soriano, ''he realized it was more,'' Piniella said. ''We did the right thing by getting him out.'' Zambrano then slowly walked back to the dugout. The problem is in the "belly" of the (left) hamstring, Piniella said. Zambrano's next scheduled start is Friday in Milwaukee. ''I'd say it's in jeopardy,'' Piniella said. ''And if I had to guess, I'd say no. We'll see. I'd guess we'd have to do something to bring up a starter, but let him get his [MRI].'' --- MRI results to be released today (MRI was done sunday after the game). http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1556625,CST-SPT-cub04.arti…

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).