Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

Game 131 Thread / Cubs @ Pirates (1 of 3)

Submitted by Cubnut on

Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview

SP *Ted Lilly
 SP Jeff Karstens
  12-7, 4.25, 148 K, 56 W, 161 IP 

2-2, 2.25, 11 K, 8 W, 28 IP
       
LF
 Alfonso Soriano CF
 *Nate McLouth
SS Ryan Theriot
 2B Freddy Sanchez
1B Derrek Lee
 C  #Ryan Doumit
3B Aramis Ramirez
 1B
 *Adam LaRoche
CF *Jim Edmonds
 RF
  Jason Michaels
2B Mark DeRosa
 LF *Brandon Moss
RF *Kosuke Fukudome 3B Andy LaRoche
C Geovany Soto
 SS Jack Wilson
P *Ted Lilly
 P Jeff Karstens

 

The Cubs open a three-game set at PNC Park, concluding their 9-game stretch against the Reds, Nationals, and Pirates before they resume play against Major League opposition. (Yes, I'm tempting fate: Friday's smug game preview was just a preamble to an ugly 13-5 loss to the Nats, but 30 games over .500, I'm feeling smug all over again.)

Coming off a tough luck defeat in which he held the Reds hitless for the first 5 innings and wound up yielding just 2 hits in 7 IP, Lily has reduced his ERA to a season-low 4.25.The lefty has given the Cubs Quality Starts in 8 of his last 10 turns, and that defeat to Cincinnati was his first after five consecutive W's.

This will mark Lilly's fourth start of the year against the Bucs. He's 1-0, 5.63 in the three previous starts, with a butt-ugly 8.38 ERA in his two outings at PNC.

Karstens, who landed in Pittsburgh as part of the deal that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yanks, makes his fifth start as a Pirate. In his first, back on 8/1, he blanked the Cubs over six innings. His second time out, he was even better, carrying a perfect game into the eighth inning at Arizona, before eventually closing out a 2-0 complete game win. His last two starts have been much more ordinary—16 hits and 7 ER in 13 IP—and more like what you'd expect from a guy who has fanned just 11 men (and walked 8) in 28 innings.

The Cubs have won 11 of the 15 meetings between the two clubs this year, including 4 of the 6 played in Pittsburgh. 

Lastly, on Sunday, Mark DeRosa became the first Cub since Fred McGriff (2001) to homer in four consecutive games. If DeRo connects tonight, he'll join Sosa ('98) and Sandberg ('89) as the only Cubs since 1956 to go long in five straight.

 

  Sandberg (1989)
Sosa (1998)
 McGriff (2001)
DeRosa (2008)
Patsy #1  
Andy McGaffigan 
Livan Hernandez
 Jim Brower Josh Fogg
Patsy #2
 Dennis Martinez Jim Parque
Wil. Rodriguez
John Lannan
Patsy #3
 Bryn Smith
Carlos Castillo
 Shane Reynolds    
Garrett Mock
Patsy #4
O'Neal/Mulholland*   
James Baldwin      
Tim Redding
Jay Bergmann       
Patsy #5
 Larry McWilliams
 LaTroy Hawkins
—
 ???

*Sandberg homered twice against the Phillies on 8/10/89 and eventually wound up with 6 HR in 5 games. What a stud.

 

Tags
Ted Lilly
Gameday Open Thread

Comments

Submitted by nohit on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 08:38 pm

I made the mistake of tuning in to ESPN1000 over the internet. OMG, Mac, Jurko & Harry are annoying. I sometimes forget important facts like that in my quest for a Cubs fix. DeRo interview in a few minutes, if I can hold out that long...

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:52 am

He gawked at it when he first hit, about a quarter to half way down the first base line before he realized it wasn't going out. Then put on the "afterburners" when he saw it bounce away from McLouth to get the triple. Not that big a deal...just the same shit he did with the Cardinals but no one cares because he's a Cub now.

Submitted by Barry M on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 08:18 pm

From Cubs Mail Bag!! Didnt Zambrano do this a few years back? Who was the last switch-hitter for the Cubs to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same inning? I say it was Mark Bellhorn, but a buddy of mine says no Cubs switch-hitter has ever done that. A free dinner rides on the answer. -- Charlie P., New Johnsonville, Tenn. On Aug. 29, 2002, Bellhorn homered from both sides of the plate for the Cubs in Milwaukee in the fourth inning. Enjoy your meal.

Submitted by Mister Whipple on Mon, 08/25/2008 - 08:35 pm

Nice win today. Edmonds and Fukudome looking sharp. I sure wouldn't want to face our lineup on a day when we're firing on all cylinders. There's not a starter that I don't think can contribute offensively on any given day. I sure hope Fukudome can put it back together again. We're on track to have six starters finish the year with over 20 HRs and all 8 starting position players have over .340 OBP. Add our terrifying trio of starting pitchers, Lily as our #4, and Wood, Marmol, Samardzija, Marshall, and (maybe) Lieber out of the pen. Hot damn. I think this team's got a real shot at it! Nothing like pounding the 90 pound weakling in the division with your #4 starter going 7 strong to make things look rosy.

Submitted by nohit on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:56 am

Suntimes article about the bottom third of the Cubs order: As impressive as DeRosa's and Soto's numbers are, consider this: The Cubs' No. 7 spot in the order was hitting a major-league best .310 with 20 homers and 83 RBI (entering play Monday). No. 8: .293 with 11 and 64. And perhaps most impressive of all: The pitchers' spot, No. 9, was hitting better (.227-8-52) than four American League teams -- Kansas City (.226), the Los Angeles Angels (.226), Baltimore (.225) and Oakland (.218).

Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:16 am

this tidbit in the S-T: The Class AAA Iowa Cubs are back in the playoffs for the first time in four years, and one small ramification at the big-league level is that a few anticipated September roster additions might stay with Iowa through its playoff series. The exceptions: Pitchers Jon Lieber (foot) and Angel Guzman (elbow) are expected to be activated from the DL when rosters expand, and lefty hitter Micah Hoffpauir, who's having a monster season, is expected to join the big club right away. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1126488,CST-SPT-cubnt26.ar…

[ ]

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:31 am

Part of it is reward for battling the entire year and playing well. Part of it is experience in a playoff atmosphere and winning a championship. While it is not the same as it is at the Major League Level, having your minor leaguers know what it takes to win is important. Getting your teams more swings and pitches against the best competition in pressure situations can't hurt at all. Also, the first round best of 5 series starts on September 3rd. So depending on how that goes, the potentially call-ups might only be called up a few days later than normal. If they make it to the next round the best of 7 starts on the 9th. So even if they go all the way they could still be up for 2 weeks instead of 4 with the Cubs. And if they really thought they'd help out the big league team they will get called up regardless of the playoffs - like Hoffpauer will.

[ ]

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:25 pm

A batting average of .368 is not the same as .314. Really? I thought they were the exact same! Of course... you also ignore the fact that Hoffpauir currently has a .365 BABIP in AAA. That is not sustainable. I'm not so sure we'll see him in September. Wanna' put money on it? What's the point? He's not even the right callup if you just want someone to steal bases. Well... being that he is probably the best defensive outfielder in the Cubs system, and better than anyone on the active roster, base running wouldn't be all he is good for. And stealing bases is not the only aspect of base running.

Submitted by dcf on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 08:32 pm

We have to root for the Cardinals. The Brewers' schedule is much, much easier than the Cubs' from here on out. I like being in first, but five games is just not that much. Consider: --these two games are the last time the Cardinals and the Brewers play each other this year --the Cubs will play a total of 5 more games against below .500 teams this year --the Cubs play over a third of their remaining games against Milwaukee and St. Louis --while the Cubs have had a great August so far (16-5), the Brewers have kept pace (17-6) Here's the rest of the schedule as of today: Cubs: 31 games left (18 away, 13 home) 2 @ PITT, 4 PHI, 3 HOU, 3 @ CIN, 3 @ STL, 3 @ HOU, 3 MIL, 3 STL, 4 @ NY, 3 @ MIL Games against above .500 teams (26): 4 PHI, 3 HOU, 3 @ STL, 3 @ HOU, 3 MIL, 3 STL, 4 @ NY, 3 @ MIL Games against below .500 teams (5): 2 @ PITT, 3 @ CIN Brewers: 31 games left (15 away, 16 home) 2 @ STL, 3 @ PITT, 3 NY, 4 SD, 3 CIN, 4 @ PHI, 3 @ CUBS, 3 @ CIN, 3 PITT, 3 CUBS Games against above .500 teams (15): 2 @ STL, 3 NY, 4 @ PHI, 3 @ CUBS, 3 CUBS Games against below .500 teams (16): 3 @ PITT, 4 SD, 3 CIN, 3 @ CIN, 3 PITT Cardinals: 30 games left (15 away, 15 home) 2 MIL, 3 @ HOU, 3 @ ARI, 3 FLA, 3 CUBS, 3 @ PITT, 3 @ CIN, 3 @ CUBS, 4 ARI, 3 CIN Games against above .500 teams (21): 2 MIL, 3 @ HOU, 3 @ ARI, 3 FLA, 3 CUBS, 3 @ CUBS, 4 ARI Games against below .500 teams (9): 3 @ PITT, 3 @ CIN, 3 CIN

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

Click HERE for the last 50 comments