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

Sosa Sighting at Extended Spring Training

The EXST Angels blanked the EXST Cubs 6-0 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.

Iowa Cubs 1B-OF Jason Dubois (placed on the I-Cubs 7-day DL with back spasms on April 21st) got another rehab start (as a DH) with the Cubs today, and got five Plate Appearances (total). He batted second in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings, grounding out to third in the 2nd, grounding into a 6-4-3 DP in the 3rd, doubling off the LF fence in the 5th, striking out (swinging) in the 6th, and lining a single to CF in the 7th (his final AB). In two EXST games, Dubois is 2-7 with a double.

In addition, Peoria RHRP Corey Martin (placed on the Chiefs 7-day DL with a strained calf on May 3rd) made his second rehab appearance, throwing one inning in today’s game. Even though the Angels were leading 4-0 after nine innings were completed, the game was extended one extra inning to allow Martin to get his pre-scheduled work, and he was not impressive. Martin allowed a double off the CF Batter’s Eye and a line-drive RBI single, in addition to two fly balls to the warning track.

While the Angels were whitewashing the Cubs on Field #3, RHP (ex-C) Alvaro Sosa threw a two-inning simulated game on Field #1. The 23-year old 5'11 195 Sosa was converted to pitcher a month ago after hitting a combined .225 in 262 pro games going back to 2005 (and never getting past Boise in five seasons), so he is still in the very early stages of the transformation. The Cubs have an extensive history of converting light-hitting catchers into pitchers, most notably Carlos Marmol, Randy Wells, and Blake Parker. It doesn't always work, and Sosa does not have the ideal body-type for a pitcher, but at least he's getting a chance to show the Cubs what he can do on the mound before he's eligble to be a 6Y Minor League Free-Agent (Rule 55 Minor League FA) post-2011.   

Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Mark Riggins is at Fitch Park this week, so he will get a chance to get a good look at all the Cubs pitchers who are presently at Extended Spring Training.

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

NOTE: DH Jason Dubois batted in five of the first seven innings, getting five Plate Appearances total in the game.

LINEUP:
X. Jason Dubois, DH #1: 2-5 (5-3, 6-4-3 GIDP, 2B, K, 1B)
1. Pin-Chieh Chen, DH #2: 0-3 (K, F-8, 3-1)
2. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 0-3 (K, K, F-7)
3. Albert Hernandez, 1B: 0-3 (K, K, 4-3)
4. Charles Thomas, 3B: 0-3 (4-3, 6-3, F-8)
5. Alvaro Ramirez, CF: 1-3 (1B, K, K)
6. Xavier Batista, RF: 0-2 (1-3, 3-1)
7. Runey Davis, LF: 1-2 (1B, 4-3)
8. Blair Springfield, DH #3: 0-2 (K, K)
9. Jose Guevara, C: 0-2 (1-3, 6-3)
10. Rafael Disla, 2B: 0-2 (3-1, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Frank Batista – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 36 pitches (24 strikes)
2. Eduardo Figueroa – 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, 1/4 GO/FO, 51 pitches (32 strikes)
3. Carlos Rojas – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1/1 GO/FO, 18 pitches (14 strikes)
4. Drew Rundle - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 8 pitches (5 strikes)
5. Danny Keefe - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 16 pitches (10 strikes)
6. Corey Martin - 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 24 pitches (16 strikes)

ERRORS: (3)
1. P Carlos Rojas E-1 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base – eventually scored unearned run)
2. P Carlos Rojas E-1 (errant pick-off throw into CF allowed runner on 2nd base to advance to 3rd and runner on 1st base to advance to 2nd)
3. 3B Charles Thomas E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely - eventually scored unearned run)

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Jose Guevara: 1 PB

ATTENDANCE: 9

WEATHER: Sunny and VERY breezy, with temperatures in the 70’s

Comments

so Dubois is still with the Cubs just to set the Iowa Cubs HR record, right? or do they put him in Iowa as a cautionary tale to the minor leaguers of what happens if you don't grab hold of your brief major league opportunity?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 05/11/2010 - 6:02pm. heh...wells used to catch nolasco in cubs minors...now he gets to pitch against him tonight. =========================== CRUNCH: Randy Wells, Carlos Marmol, and Geovany Soto were three 19-year old catchers at Fitch Park in 2002. Marmol was actually the best hitter of the three (at the time) and had really good speed for a catcher. Soto wasn't that impressive ar the time. He had power potential that he hadn't yet fully developed, and his receiving needed a lot of work. Wells just could not hit. You could see even then that he was definitely a pitcher trapped in a catcher's body.

Carlos A. Silva Updated: Tuesday, 11 May 2010, 11:30 AM EDT Published : Tuesday, 11 May 2010, 11:30 AM EDT (1950 - 2010) - Carlos A. Silva, 59, of Springfield and formerly of Ludlow passed away Friday morning, May 7, 2010, surrounded by his loving family in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield. Carlos, a son of the late Joao and Olinda (Fonseca) Silva was born in Guarda, Portugal on September 28, 1950. He graduated from high school in Portugal and on April 27, 2010 he graduated and received his diploma from Porter Chester Institute for HVAC. He had previously worked for Milton Bradley for 22 years
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/obituaries/obit-carlos-silva

A source tells Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that either Nolan Reimold or Lou Montanez will be sent to Triple-A Norfolk in order to make room for Corey Patterson on Wednesday.

"Uh, I mean, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't," Lee said, trying to be diplomatic. "It's just a philosophy. I'm more of a believer of 'be stable.' But obviously Lou likes a change, so, that's what he likes to do."

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I have trouble justifying Castro's defensive shortcomings so far by saying "well at least he's better than Theriot". It might not be true, but it probably is; Either way I don't find that to be a compelling argument. Jitters? Okay, maybe. What I see, though, is some raw talent and acrobatic abilities, but a young guy who hasn't built the muscle memory to make those consistent throws or field the short hop flawlessly. With enough time and proper direction he should become a nice SS, though. He definitely has the range and arm and I think the Renteria comparisons are well deserved.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I guess the anti-Castro sentiment with a few of us isn't about us disliking Castro, its just that we think he needs a few more seasons in the minors to work on his overall game. He is by no means a polished prospect and really has no business being in the majors right now, much less starting his service clock. We don't like him on the roster now, because he doesn't make this team any better now. And playing him in the majors isn't some magic elixir that will make him better simply by playing in the majors. It's called prospect development and the Castro call up is just proof this organization has no fucking clue what they are doing, much less how to run a proper farm system.

[ ]

In reply to by MikeC

Ohh yeah and i was big fans of Choi, and Murton and Theriot to replace the suck of Cesar Izturis. A man with all the gifts on defense but can't hit his way out of a paper bag. And when his defense started to suck Theriot got his job. I appreciate and admire a solid if unspectacular SS who can hit for average and get on base. I think we have all forgotten what its like to watch all of our past Cub SS's hit .250 with an OBP around .300. So yeah i am a little hit and miss. Hated the DeRosa signing as well, but grew to appreciate his time with the Cubs. Same goes with Marlon Byrd.....Fred McGriff can eternally eat my ass though. See not always right. But I slammed dunked the Milton Bradley fiasco. Some things are just wayyyyyyy to easy to predict.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

This is probably going to sound snarky, but it's not intended to. At his present pace over a full season, Castro is going to commit 162 errors. Saying "well how does this help the defense?" right now is stupid, because 1, he's not going to commit four times as many errors as any shortstop ever, and 2 you're not noticing that he has the tools to make plays that Theriot, as nice and scrappy a guy as he is, just isn't physically capable of doing. Theriot's as likely to hit 75 HR's this year as he is to throw out a runner from the hole, unless the runner pulls a hammy or falls, because he is physically incabable of doing those things.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

well whatever, wasn't really getting into that right now. He could be optioned at some point and it becomes a moot point. But his FA clock wasn't really affected by calling him up now versus a month from now. It was his arbitration clock that they possibly fucked up. But at age 20, I don't expect that he'll put up huge numbers that it'll make more than a $2 to $3M difference. That being said, I would imagine any CBA changes wouldn't affect players that started their clocks before the current CBA expired. If they decided, for an extreme example, to go 7 years before free agency, I feel the players would be sure to include something that it only applies to players going forward.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I wasn't really using Strasburg myself, but his 4-year deal only runs through 2012. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationalsjournal/2010/03/why_the_timin… by delaying his Super Two they can set his salary for 2013, but it can't be lower than 20% of what he made in 2012, which is $4.875M (factoring in bonuses). So the most they could cut it is $3.9M, although I'm sure they'll just agree to a buyout of his arb-years by that point. Fontenot was a regular for just one of those seasons, so he's a poor example. I'm under the assumption Castro stays a regular if he reaches Super 2 status. If he struggles, he'll just get optioned most likely making this all mostly a moot point. Super 2's can compare themselves to other Super 2's and Year 3's at their position, which then depends on how well he does, awards, being a starter, etc. If Castro puts up Theriot numbers, that's 2.6M there. Let's assume he does better, then he could make Drew'ish money at $3.4M. That's where I got my $2.5 - $3.5M range. Andre Ethier was a Super 2 and made $3.1M with 100K incentives after 2008. H. Pence was a regular and signed for $3.5M. The high end is of course Lincecum, Howard and Hamels (like $4.5M). But assuming Castro stays in the majors, then I assume he stays a regular and is putting up numbers no worse than Theriot did his first 3 years which puts him in the 2.5 - 3.5 range. If he's really good, then possibly even higher. If he really struggles, then maybe it's more like the $2M range, but more likely he's just demoted.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

OK, I was thinking that the best players were getting $2 million and that Castro would make $1.5 million as opposed to about $1 million. But, I still think in year 4-6 he would get compared to other players in years 4-6. He's not going to get any benefit as a super 2 - other than the higher starting point. Prior, for example, took a pay cut, despite having qualified as a super 2. If he hits like Theriot did last year in year three, he's likely to get what Theriot got for year 4 (plus a little inflation).

cashner starts tonight @ las vegas [under watchful eye of a local ex-pitcher?]& jay jackson threw an inning of middle relief for the i-cubs last night as his arm is shrunk for his soon-to-be-new role in chicago...season high in hits/runs for iowa; fuld is on a tear; 2 more hits for tracy & a 3 run bomb for hoffpauir...the nd guy ran his record to a mighty misleading 3-0 despite 2 more walks in an inning+

Hey Mike Wellman WTF what do you mean misleading 3-0. What is his ERA? If you don't like the guy because he went to ND too bad keep it to yourself and take your big ten crap somewhere else.

really, i just went to the nd shorthand because he hasn't been worth the trouble i went to learning how to spell samardzija...wish i could go to the i-cub games in vegas! finally, god help you jakester if/when samardzija's college comes into the b10 fold...

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.