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, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* 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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs Drop Contest at Diablo

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Matt Cerda reached base three times on a single, a double, and a walk, but there just wasn't much other Cubs offense on display, as the EXST Angels defeated the EXST Cubs 3-1 in Extended Spring Training action at the Angels Minor League Complex at Diablo Park in Tempe this morning. 

Three converted position players saw action on the mound for the Cubs today, and while RHP (ex-3B) Josh Lansford struggled with his control, 20-year old Dominican RHP (ex-SS) Gian Guzman and LHP (ex-OF) Ryan Sontag (2008 23rd round pick out of Arizona State) looked good, particularly Sontag, who worked quickly, fired strikes and punched out all four Angels batters he faced. 

Exclusively an outfielder in his college days at Arizona State and in his first season in pro ball at Boise last year (where he hit an anemic .218 with only five XBH), Sontag was a combination OF/LHP in high school (8-3 1.45 ERA), and he also pitched occasionally in his freshman year at Michigan State before transferring to ASU and moving the outfield full-time. So it's not like pitching is a foreign language for him.

But the crew-cut 5'10 200+ 23-year old Sontag hardly fits the classic image of a pitcher. A few stocky lefties have had successful big league pitching careers (1954 A. L. MVP Bobby Shantz was only 5'6 145!), but it is unsual to see a body-type like Sontag's throwing off a mound these days. 

Nevertheless, Sontag decided to give pitching a whirl in Minor League Camp this past March, and so far the results have been quite promising. He has pitched well in all of his EXST game outings so far, and he looks like he could advance rapidly through the system s a lefty reliever.   

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):     

LINEUP:
1. Jose Valdez, CF:        1-3  (1B, BB, 5-3, K - 1 R)
2. Dwayne Kemp, 2B:     1-3  (SH, K, 2B, K)
3. Matt Cerda, DH #1:      2-3  (2B, 1B, BB, F-8 - 1 RBI)
4. Chris Weimer, LF:       0-4  (FC, FC, K, K)
5. Juan Medina, 1B-C:    1-4  (GIDP, FC, 4-3, 1B)
6. Kevin Soto, RF            2-4  (2B, 1B, F-8, K - 1 CS)
7. Alvaro Sosa, C-1B:      2-4  (F-8, 1B, F-8, 1B)
8. George Matheus, 3B:   0-4 (E-5, GIDP, K, FC)
9. Robert Bautista, SS:    0-2  (BB, F-7, K)
10. Jose Made, DH #2:     0-2  (BB, 4-3, 4-3)

PITCHERS:
1. Tarlandus Mitchell -  1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
2. Josh Lansford -         1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HBP, 2/2 GO/FO
3. Cedric Redmond -     2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO
4. Gian Guzman -          2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO
5. Ryan Sontag -           1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alvaro Sosa - 1-2 CS

Juan Medina - 1-1 CS

 

Tags
Matt Cerda
EXST Cubs
Josh Lansford
Ryan Sontag
Gian Guzman

Comments

Submitted by navigator on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:08 pm

CLINT HURDLE canned by the Rockies. "The last straw for the Rockies was being swept at home in a three-game series by the Dodgers,..."

Submitted by mannytrillo on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:11 pm

Lou will quit on the team before getting fired. And also if they fire Lou, Hendry would have to go with him (not a horrible proposition). But I can't imagine anyone letting Hendry hire his 3rd manager.

Submitted by Jace on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:47 pm

Anyone else notice O-Dawg's hitting .338 with 30 RBI in the 3-spot as a lefty second baseman that we could have signed in the offseason?

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:22 pm

If Lou were to quit - Trammel takes over. IMO, things would have to get really, really bad for Lou to resign. Hendry would just write off the rest of the year rather than fire him. Unless Crane-less Kenny forces him to.

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:38 pm

Name the team with the best record in the AL right now without looking it up...

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:51 pm

correct, I was suprised. Blue Jays in a 9-game death spiral. Bring on Halladay!

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Submitted by jacos on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:54 pm

When you asked I knew it would not be the usual suspects, and I knew it was not anyone in the central because I saw the other day that Tigers only team over .500 in that division. I'm betting on a sub .500 AL central division champ.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:01 pm

I'll say just .500, or one game over. Tigers still have decent pitching, IIRC.

Submitted by Mike Vail on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:41 pm

More likely than not, Lou chooses not to re-sign the end of this year. It would depend on whether A) How the team finishes this year. B)If the ownership can persuade him to stay on. C)How tired he gets. I distinctly remember the huge sigh he heaved when they clinched in 2008; that was a tired-looking man. If for some reason they win it all, he might just retire on top as well. I like Lou and hope he stays. Go Cubs!

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:56 pm

So it looks like the Hill pinch-hit mix-up was probably Hill's fault. They were trying to call him back but he stepped in the batter's box at which point he is in no matter what.

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Submitted by WISCGRAD on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 05:11 am

The protocol is that the umpire looks over at the manager and the manager points to the hitter, at which point he is officially in the game, is written on the scorecard, and then announced. The batter usually waits on the circle until the ump looks over and the manager points and then the ump will motion him up to the plate. This time, for some reason, neither the umpire nor Hill was looking back at Lou for the OK. Koyie just sauntered up to the plate and the ump started writing his name down, and he was announced - all while Lou was yelling at both trying to get their attention. The PA has nothing to do with it. The batter is officially in the game when one of two things happens, the manager tells the umpire (verbally or by pointing) that he is in, or, as happened in this case, the batter crosses the line into the batter's box. Once you cross the chalk you are in the game no matter what the manager is saying. So had Hill not stepped in the box, the umpire would have let Lou pull him back since Lou had not confirmed he was in. In the end it seems to be partly Hill's fault for wondering up there like an idiot, but also partly Lou's fault for not making sure Hill knew he might not be the one going up.

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:47 pm

Andres Blanco and the D: Boy - I checked out a couple highlights from the last couple days: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4772263&c_id=chc Andres Blanco seems to be the most talented SS/2B of ANY of the current "scrappy" guys.As I have heard, wasn't he a #1 draft choice for the Royals a few years ago? If he could only hit consistently! However, with Fontenot, Theriot, and Freel not being able to either, I'd just as soon have him saving runs.

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Submitted by Romero on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:39 pm

I haven't seen Andy White play defense, but I can remember the reputation for his skee-ilz way back when he was playing with Iowa last year. The strange thing is that he's surprisingly young-- only 25, which makes me hope that his much improved batting line this season is less of a fluke than it is a progression. The Royals called him up originally when he was 20 years old (for two years running, Blanco was one of their top 10 prospects). Looking at Blanco's minor league numbers at baseball cube, he's played most of his games at SS and 2B, and only 2 at 3B. This sounds fine to me. Let Blanco be the defensive player he is, and play him every now and then when Riot needs a break. I imagine if he can hit about on par with M!les (which shouldn't be too unreasonable), Blanco (along with either Scales or Freel) makes M!les and his 4.9 million dollar contract redundant. Hopefully somebody else will need him and we can turn him into another Chris Robinson or something.

Submitted by Jeff_Pico on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:33 pm

They finally won one without scoring 4...about time. The probably could have easily scored at least 4 with just a little bit of clutch hitting, which this team is abismally bad at. Anyway one win at a time keep plugging away until Ramirez comes back. I heard Lou is going to give Soriano a few days off to rest his knee, so we could see Fox play LF over the weekend? I'll be happy with a split this weekend, but its easier said than done.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:16 pm

I'd just as soon have him saving runs. --- what I find interesting about Andy White is that he's a "switch-hitter" that only bats lefty. Hence he's fitting the 2009 Cubs profile of getting left handed. that is all.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:06 pm

and somebody shot me down for some reason --- old and blue and wounded? ...now that's getting to the very heart of the 2009 Cubs.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 05:57 pm

not sure this is 3/44 but it was in today's StL Post-Dispatch regarding the Cardinals interest in several third basemen, including this on DeRosa. Note writer Bernie M. says the Cubs are also interested: - DeRosa: He’s more affordable for payroll puproses than Atkins, Beltre or Mora. DeRosa isn’t the smoothest at 3B, but can hold his own. He can also play 2B, SS, 1B, LF, RF. That versatility is ideal for manager Tony La Russa’s lineup concoctions. The Cardinals are poor against LH pitchers and DeRosa could help remedy that. In his career, he’s a .303 hitter against LH, with a .373 OBP and a .481 slugging percentage. Great guy in the clubhouse. Loved playing in the National League. Is Mitchell Boggs enough to land DeRosa? The Cubs, Mets and Brewers are said to be interested in acquiring DeRosa. http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-poi…

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Submitted by toonsterwu on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 05:37 am

Cleveland reportedly wants ready pitching. Some say a starter and a reliever. One thing to keep in mind is that Cleveland isn't exactly out of it yet. Their chances are remote, but if some things fall their way, there's a chance. I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to add a pen arm to see if they can get it going. Failing that, then they might sell around the deadline. Short of it is, I wouldn't expect a move on DeRosa anytime soon. Some Indians fans suggest that they want a ready 3/4 starter. Much as I like DeRosa, I just don't see how he would net that, even if he has an outside chance at being Type A. A potential 3/4 starter? Sure, I could see that. I imagine a couple B-/C+ level arms in the upper levels would get them intrigued. Perhaps a Randy Wells and Kevin Hart (assuming Hart rebounds and Wells continues his surprisingly strong performance). It might be some different combination, but basically 2 arms on that level. I wouldn't go all out for DeRosa - he would fill a need at 2nd and a backup 3rd baseman, but I don't think that need is worth overpaying for unless something else happens to our team.

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Submitted by toonsterwu on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 05:03 pm

I'm still not completely sold that Cashner is a starter, but I was fairly high on last year's pitching heavy draft, and so far, it looks solid. Overall, our pitching depth is improving a lot. Shafer was a "hope he gets healthy pick", but Carpenter was a good gamble at that point. Hope his control can improve. Would like to see him at Daytona soon - not much else he can do at Peoria. I find it funny how a review of 3 picks from our draft doesn't somehow include Jay Jackson in there. As impressive as Carpenter has been in Peoria, Jackson's been that much more impressive and has arguably a better one-two punch than Carpenter.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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