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

Cubs Pitchers Loosen Up Rockies with 19 Strikeouts

Doug Davis threw three innings of one-hit shutout ball, Todd Wellemeyer threw a 1-2-3 13-pitch inning, and Matt Loosen struck out eight in just 2.2 IP, as five EXST Cubs pitchers struck out 19 EXST Rockies batters en route to a 3-2 victory in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.

Although the Cubs were ahead 3-0 after the end of the Rockies 9th, the game was extended to 11 innings so that additional Cubs and Rockies pitchers could get their pre-scheduled work.

Making his second start since signing a minor league contract with the Cubs last week, Davis (post-2010 elbow surgery rehab) made quick work of the Rockies, needing just 24 pitches (20 strikes) to retire nine of the ten men he faced. The only blemish was a two-out triple in the right-center gap in the top of the 1st inning, and that runner was left-stranded. Davis struck out two (both swinging), and had a 6/1 GO/FO rate, as his sinker was working very well. The veteran soft-tossing lefty kept the young Rockies hitters off-balance throughout his three-inning stint, mixing an 84 MPH sinker with a curve and a change-up.

Todd Wellemeyer (sore hip rehab) followed Davis to the mound, and had an easy 1-2-3 4th inning (F-8, 4-3, K), retiring the side on 13 pitches (nine strikes).

Because they threw so few pitches in the EXST game on Field #3, both Davis and Wellemeyer moved over to Field #2 to pitch in a “sim game” that was already in progress (Dustin Fitzgerald and Ramon Garcia had just completed their two innings), and threw an additional inning (15 pitches) each on top of their EXST game work.

RHP Matt Loosen (Cubs 2010 23rd round pick out of the U. of Jacksonville) took the mound to start the top of the 5th, and had an outstanding outing, striking out eight (seven swinging) in just 2.2 IP. Loosen did allow a double and he hit a batter, but he was mostly just plain unhittable. In two EXST outings so far, Loosen has thrown 6.1 IP of shutout ball, allowing three hits, one HBP, and no walks, with 10 strikeouts. He would likely be at the top of the list should the Cubs look to promote a pitcher from Extended Spring Training to Peoria.

RHP Yao-Lin Wang also threw 2.2 IP of shutout ball today, allowing a single and a walk, with three strikeouts (two swinging).

LHP Casey Harman was the one Cub pitcher who did allow runs today, giving up two (both earned) on three hits (two triples and an inside-the-park HR), although he did strike out five (four swinging).

The Cubs scored single runs in the 1st, 5th, and 8th innings. Kyung-Min Na led off the bottom of the 1st by scalding a single through the box, and scored on a one-out Wilson Contreras RBI double. Jesus Morelli reached base on an error to start the 5th, advanced to 3rd base on a two-base throwing error (errant pick-off attempt), and scored on a line drive SF to left by Johan DeJesus. Morelli then finished the Cubs scoring with a solo HR over the LF fence and onto 8th Street to open the bottom of the 8th.

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

LINEUP:
1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 1-4 (1B, P-6, L-9, 4-3, R)
2. Dustin Harrington, SS: 1-4 (6-3, 6-3, F-9, 1B)
3. Wilson Contreras, 1B: 2-4 (2B, 5-3, 5-3, 1B, RBI, CS)
4. Dong-Yub Kim, DH #1: 1-4 (1B, F-7, K, K)
5. Dustin Geiger, 3B: 1-4 (P-2, K, 1-3, 1B)
6. Jesus Morelli, RF: 1-4 (5-3, E-6, HR, 4-3, 2 R, RBI)
7a. Johan DeJesus, C-DH: 0-2 (5-3, L-7 SF, K, RBI)
7b. Max Kwan, PH: 0-1 (5-3)
8. Eduardo Gonzalez, LF: 0-3 (K, 3-1, 6-3)
9. Hector Suarez, DH-C: 0-3 (3-1, K, 4-3)
10. Gregori Gonzalez, 2B: 0-3 (K, 3-1, P-4)

PITCHERS:
1. Doug Davis: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 24 pitches (20 strikes), 6/1 GO/FO
2. Todd Wellemeyer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
3. Matt Loosen: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 47 pitches (35 strikes)
4. Yao-Lin Wang: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 46 pitches (29 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
5. Casey Harman: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 33 pitches (26 strikes)

ERRORS: 1
3B Dustin Geiger E5 – fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely

ATTENDANCE: 11

WEATHER: Partly cloudy & breezy with temperatures in the 80’s 

Comments

much better 1st inning for Russell

not that bad a pitch Ludwick hit out, low and inside curve haven't seen the Maybin one yet... back to .500 looming once again

WSox on verge of losing their 7th straight... schadenfreude at its finest

twitter buzz is that Q-Ball said Russell is better suited as situational lefty from here on out. They'll need a starter for Tuesday.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

BR has him at 6-3" and yeah, he's not going to catcher. Cubs have played him (in order of most games played) at 2B, LF, SS, 3B so we can see where that's going... maybe he shows enough to get the regular 2b job, which would be great, but more likely his best chance at the majors is the utility role. His power drop last year could be easily be explained by his HR's turning into doubles in the more pitcher-friendly FSL. also his drop from 2009 was .814 to .793 from A to Hi-A, there was 84 poor AA PA's that make it look a lot worse. Anyway, I don't know if he'll ever be a regular, but he's basically got 2 years to get there...certainly the early returns are promising right now.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Serious Phil, are you unable to read post #33 and #36? A guy who plays every infield position including shortstop and hits with power from the left side should have some value. 3rd basement, Josh Vitters, Shorstop Starlin Castro, first basemen Prince Fielder, right field Colvin, left field Soriano. Based on what we've seen thus far, he may hit just well enough to play second, but if he can't field there, he's not going to get a lot of starts ahead of those other guys, with the exception possibly of Soriano, so we'll have a converted infielder playing left without the bat to support it... and LeMehieu may already have claimed the same super-sub spot by that time. Meanwhile, our backup catcher is Chris Robinson. I am not saying it's a slam dunk or anything, but to me it's certainly an intriguing idea. Now if he hits 30 HR's this year, then he becomes a legitimate starting prospect, and you think of his downside as a bench bat. But typically guys who are 4th and 5th outfielders and super utility players hit the bigs with the expectations of winning full-time jobs. As a rule of thumb - take what you hope the guy is gonna be in AA - down grade it one notch, and that's what he becomes.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

I assume that was a slip-up and you meant lefties, which is of course a big difference. But yeah, I'm going with the Cubs and Flaherty probably don't want to waste 2-3 years while he figures out how to be a catcher which wouldn't start until this fall, while he's currently kicking AA pitching around and seemingly good enough to play a variety of infield and outfield positions. I doubt he'll be a regular, although at 24, he still has a small window to improve and get in the conversation. And if he is 6'5" (or 6'3") that's probably one of the reasons why Wilkin drafted him and figured he'd grow into his frame and some power and not a guy they'd look to move to catcher even if there are some exceptions around the league.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

He's two years away right now at his current pace I guess, But let's say I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the majors next year, or even this September depending on how his season and the Cubs goes. so you're saying it would take 4-5 years? Chirinos started at age 24 with the catching thing and now at 28 is still not in the majors, so yeah, about that. You can start him converting him right now, you don't have to wait until the fall. you can, but that's not how it ever really works to my knowledge. Flaherty I'm sure still thinks of himself as still being a possible starter in the majors (as well he should), so he has to agree with the idea. That's the key issue imo. He also has to notice that Darwin Barney is the current 2b-men and Ramirez is gone next year or possibly two, so there's some openings or at least a chance to compete there. It's catching, not brain surgery. Isn't he also a coach's son? He is, but doesn't mean wants to do it. We can point to Chirinos as an example, but from Phil's report, Cubs thought of him as a future coach from the get-go and were probably on the verge of cutting him. .Also the Cubs have Soto, Castillo, Flores, Brenly, Robinson, Clevenger that he would fall behind because most organizations value defense from there backup catchers. At the moment, he's the Cubs best 2b prospect.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 7:06am. Flaherty's power is looking more legit. He hit 20 HRs in 2010, and he's got 4 already this year. If he is capable of 25+, can play good defense at 3B, fill in at 2B, 1B, LF and RF, and he can play SS in a pinch, then he's DeRosa, right? I doubt a conversion to Catcher is in the plans for Flaherty. He's 6'5" and he's hit well if not spectacularly. ================================ CHARLIE: Ryan Flaherty is a left-handed version of Jeff Baker, but with more HR power. But like a reverse Baker, Flaherty murders RHP, struggles against LHP, and his best positions are 3B-1B-2B. He seems to look most-comfortable at SS, because that's where he played in HS and college (Vanderbilt), even though he has very likely outgrown the position and lacks the range to play there at the big league level. I have seen him try to play LF, and he really struggles to track fly balls in the outfield. I don't know why, but he does. Flaherty would probably take Blake DeWitt's roster slot if he were to get called up to Chicago this year. (Flaherty is eligible for selection in next December's Rule 5 Draft, so he will very likely get added to the Cubs 40-man roster by the 11/20 deadline, if not during the season).

Hey Phil - Any Brian Schlitter sightings? I'm wondering if he is actually out for the year or if he could rehab and become a AAA arm by the end of the year. Hendry says he's happy to have him back, so I imagine he's hoping for more than just a roster exemption for the playoffs! Thanks!!!

[ ]

In reply to by craig

Submitted by craig on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 12:10pm. Phil, any info on Austin Reed? He looked very good last year, but I don't recall him being mentioned in any of your reports. Is he damaged goods? ================================== CRAIG: Austin Reed is on the EXST Cubs Active List. He was supposed to have pitched last Thursday, but I wasn't at that game so you wouldn't have seen an abridged box score for it. I think he's supposed to pitch tomorrow or Saturday. The problem right now is that there are just too many pitchers at Extended Spring Training, and the younger ones keep getting bumped from their outings by the rehab guys, who always get first priority. So then some pitchers end up throwing sim games if they get pushed back too far.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?