Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

Morelli Hit Streak at 18, But A's Edge Cubs

Cody Shields had three hits, an RBI, and an outfield assist, Wes Darvill reached base three times on two singles and a walk, and Jesus Morelli extended his hitting streak to 18 games, but Eduardo Figueroa and Jose Rosario were tagged to the tune of seven runs on ten hits (including two doubles and a HR) and four walks in five combined innings, as the EXST A’s edged the EXST Cubs 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Papago Park Field #2 in Phoenix this morning. The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning affair, to allow more pitchers to get work.

RHP Chris Huseby started the game for the Cubs and threw one inning (24 pitches – 12 strikes). He walked the first man he faced on four pitches, and the next batter on six pitches, and then the third hitter grounded a single to RF on a 2-0 pitch to load the bases. But then just like he did two days ago, Huseby somehow wiggled out of the jam, striking out the next two hitters on eight pitches, before getting the final out on a broken bat pop up to short on an 0-2 pitch, leaving the bases loaded.

Huseby still has trouble throwing his fastball for strikes (most all of them end up high & outside), but he is able to get his curve ball over the plate virtually at will, and so when he can get ahead of a hitter with his breaking ball, he can use his ultra-wild head-high fastball as a strikeout pitch (or at least that’s how he’s been doing it the last two times out).

The Cubs continue to have a problem with runners making the first or third out of an inning (especially the third out) at 3rd base. Today speedster Cody Shields ripped a two-out line-drive into the LF corner, but was thrown out trying to stretch the double into a triple, getting nailed at 3rd base just a split second after the slower Richard Jones scored. In previous games, the Cubs have actually had runs disallowed because a faster runner made a third out at 3rd base before the runner ahead had a chance to cross the plate.

While I realize that the Cubs have a lot of fast players at Extended Spring Training who like to be aggressive running the bases, there’s aggressive, and then there is stupid. This habit must be broken.

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

LINEUP:
1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 1-4 (5-3, F-8, F-8, 1B, BB, R)
2. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 1-5 (1B, E-4, K, E-4, 4-U FC, 2 R, CS)
3. Jesus Morelli, DH #1: 1-5 (F-8, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 1B, RBI, R)
4. Xavier Batista, RF: 1-4 (K, K, L-5, F-9 SF, 2B, 2 RBI)
5. Richard Jones, 1B: 2-4 (K, 1B, 1-3, 1B, F-9 SF, RBI, R)
6a. Sergio Burruel, C: 1-2 (1B, F-7)
6b. Jose Guevara, C: 0-2 (K, L-8)
7. Cody Shields, LF: 3-4 (1B, 2B, K, 1B, RBI)
8. George Matheus, 3B: 1-4 (K, K, E-6, 1B)
9. Blair Springfield, DH #2: 0-3 (K, HBP, K, 6-4-3 GIDP)
10. Wes Darvill, SS: 2-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, F-7, R)

PITCHERS:
1. Chris Huseby – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 24 pitches (12 strikes)
2. Eduardo Figueroa – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/5 GO/FO, 68 pitches (38 strikes)
3. Jose Rosario – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2/3 GO/FO, 37 pitches (18 strikes)
4. Rogelio Carmona - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3/1 GO/FO, 32 pitches (16 strikes)
5. Drew Rundle - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 17 pitches (11 strikes)
6. Corey Martin - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 15 strikes (9 strikes)

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Sergio Burruel: 0-2 CS
2. Jose Guevara: 1-2 CS

OUTFIELD ASSIST:
Cody Shields threw out runner 7-5 trying advance from 1st to 3rd on a single to LF

ATTENDANCE: 7

WEATHER: Sunny, breezy, and hot, with temperatures in the 90’s

Comments

Az Phil , can you explain the significants of the July 2 International signing day? I see the Cubs have signed about 26 new players for the two DSL teams. Is there a differant group of players eligible at that time? Thanks.

[ ]

In reply to by Hagsag

Submitted by Hagsag on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 4:45pm. Az Phil , can you explain the significants of the July 2 International signing day? I see the Cubs have signed about 26 new players for the two DSL teams. Is there a differant group of players eligible at that time? Thanks. =================================== HAGSAG: The International Signing Period that begins on July 2 ONLY applies to International players (essentially Latin players from countries where compulsory education ends at age 16) who turn 16 during the period extending from the end of the previous International Signing Period up through August 31st. Players who turn 16 during the period extending from the end of the previous International Signing Period (August 31st) and July 2nd can sign beginning on July 2nd, and players who turn 16 after July 2nd can be signed starting on their birthday. All other International players can be signed at any time. Also, a player who turned 16 after the end of the previous International Signing Period can be signed prior to July 2nd IF the player turns 17 prior to the completion of his first minor league season. In other words, an MLB club can sign a 16-year old if the player is placed on the Reserve List of a minor league club whose regular season ends after the player turns 17, even if that date is after August 31st. Note that on the DSL Cubs #1 roster there is a player named Gabriel Jimenez, whose listed birthday is 9-26-93, which means he turned 16 AFTER the end of the last International Signing Period, and won't turn 17 until after all of the Cubs minor league teams have completed their 2010 regular season schedules, such that he can't be signed until July 2, 2010. The ONLY way the Cubs could have signed such a player prior to the start of the 2010 International Signing Period (July 2nd) is if Jimenez was signed to a Major League contract and was placed on the Cubs 40-man roster (which we know did not happen). Which means either the DOB listed for Jimenez is incorrect, or the rule was changed without any public announcement being made. As to why the Cubs signed so many Latin players over the past three months, the Cubs Dominican Academy at Boca Chica operates tryouts and Spring Training during that time (March through May), so that's when new players are most-likely to be signed (and when older Latin players are most-likely to get released).

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

AZ Phil, I just read in a Baseball America Update about a Dom. Rep. signing that Dominicans don't have to wait for MLB approval to start playing for any DSL team. If that's true, Jimenez would be able to play for us in the DR, but nowhere else for us. BTW: I hate to say it, but the Cubs need to breakup the roster if any clubs are willing to give back money and prospects. People might say it's too early, but our North-Siders are playing with no enthusiam at all. Rami and DLee are near their end, Lilly was throwing 78 MPH Fastballs last night (and I did not mistake those pitches for changeups), Grabow strained his "Lou", Samardzija is a rich I-Cub, Fukudome is beginning his normal summer snide, Theriot's pissed he lost his Arb case, Big Z is Big Z and Soto was possiby another Cub Rookie flash in the pan (Jerome Walton). Ricketts has to be thinking dump salary. These guys just aren't good to watch. No Life!!! All of this is a result of the sale of the team. We drove up the payroll in an attempt to raise interest and playoff possibilities. Now that that is all over, I think we'll see the Cubs tail-off a little. These guys had their run, and honestly we fans have been spoiled here of late. We have had five winning seasons in seven years. It sounds as though Ricketts is serious is about producing talent from within. That would be a drastic change from past years. We already had a game this year where we started four position players from our system and had three pitches play as well. I know I haven't seen that before. The perennially solid teams (NYY, STL, BOS, LAD, LAA, MIN) always have talent playing that have always worn the same cap. Anyway, go Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 6:29pm. AZ Phil, I just read in a Baseball America Update about a Dom. Rep. signing that Dominicans don't have to wait for MLB approval to start playing for any DSL team. If that's true, Jimenez would be able to play for us in the DR, but nowhere else for us. ====================================== CHILDERS: But if Gabriel Jimenez's birthday really is indeed 9-26-93, the Cubs wouldn't be able to sign him until July 2, 2010, because he turns 17 AFTER all of the Cubs minor league teams have completed their 2010 regular season schedule. The only team in the organization still playing regular season games on September 26 is the Chicago Cubs, and Jimenez was not signed to a Major League Contract and he was not added to the Cubs 40-man roster.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Submitted by Sweet Lou on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 5:46pm. Phil -- Are you hearing anything new about Arizona's efforts to keep the Cubs in Mesa/Arizona? ======================================== SWEET LOU: Only that the Mesa mayor is talking to the other Maricopa County mayors with Spring Training clubs to try to find a way to get funding that by-passes the state legislature, which is dead in the water right now. Probably the only way the Cubs stay in Arizona (Mesa) is if the Cubs don't use the July 12th opt-out date to make a new deal with Naples. Mesa is going to need more time, and the Cubs might be smart to push this whole thing down the road, even if it means going year-to-year with Mesa beyond 2011. But if the Cubs decide in July that they want to go to Naples, they should be able to do so. Mesa is not presently in a position to do anything about it.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagocubs/post/_/id/1091/piniella-defends-dec…
"We were looking for two outs [from Lilly] then I was going to get [Carlos] Marmol in," Piniella said of Lilly, who had retired Walker in three previous at-bats on Tuesday. "I don't want to get in the habit of throwing Marmol 35 or 40 pitches to save a baseball game. I just don't."
~snip~
"I never dreamed home run," Piniella said. "Never gave it a thought."

I'm sure I'm the minority here, but I actually root against no-hitters unless it's a Cub pitching or some other pitcher I really like. The less there are in the game, the more special they are when do happen. apparently Joyce feels the same way...as did Froemming when he made that call against Pappas back in the day.

joyce quotes are starting to roll in... “I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.” “It was the biggest call of my career,” said Joyce, who became a full-time major league umpire in 1989. ----- “I don’t blame them a bit or anything that was said,” Joyce said. “I would’ve said it myself if I had been Galarraga. I would’ve been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me.”

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100602&content_id=10… The storm, which included a brief tornado warning and excessive lightning for nearly two hours, had stopped by the time the game was called. However, there was so much water gathered on the warning track that both teams agreed the field was not suitable for play. There was more rain expected to arrive in Pittsburgh later in the evening, too. The Pirates' grounds crew spent over an hour trying to squeegee the water off the warning track before the final call was made. By that time, members of both organizations -- including managers John Russell and Lou Piniella -- had huddled together in center field after evaluating the outfield conditions. The call to postpone the game officially came at 10:17 p.m. ET. No makeup date has been announced yet.

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).