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

Diamondbacks Strike Late to Venomize Cubs

Down 3-0 going into the 6th, the EXST Diamondbacks scored seven unanswered runs over the last four innings and defeated the EXST Cubs 7-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.

RHP Luis Liria got the start for the Cubs and threw three perfect innings (35 pitches), striking out four. RHP Jean Sandoval threw two more shutout innings, allowing a triple and a walk, before the roof caved-in on RHP Jose Rosario in the top of the 7th, when the D’backs rallied to score four runs and take the lead.

The Cubs had earlier scored once in the bottom of the 1st inning and twice in the bottom of the 5th to take a 3-0 lead. Vismeldy Bieneme sliced a triple into the left-center gap with one out in the 1st and scored on an RBI GO, and Reggie Golden drove-in Wilson Contreras (who had walked) with a line-drive RBI double roped off the LF fence with one out in the bottom of the 5th, before eventually scoring on a two-out two-base throwing error by the Diamondbacks SS.

RHP Amaury Paulino made his 2011 U. S. debut, pitching the 9th and allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit (a double). He also committed a costly balk with two outs and a runner at 3rd. Paulino is the 9th pitcher called up from the Cubs Dominican Academy over the past two weeks, although he (and fellow RHP Starling Peralta) did attend AZ Instructs last fall.

Cubs RF Oliver Zapata was ejected from today’s game in the bottom of the 3rd after protesting a called third strike on a 3-2 pitch.

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

LINEUP:
1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 2-3 (1B, BB, 1B, K, CS)
2. Vismeldy Bieneme, 2B: 1-4 (3B, F-8, K, L-8, R)
3. Marco Hernandez, SS: 1-4 (4-3, K, F-8, 1B, RBI)
4. Wilson Contreras, 1B: 0-3 (F-8, BB, K, 4-6-3 DP, R)
5. Reggie Golden, DH: 2-4 (F-9, 2B, P-3, 1B, R, RBI)
6. Wes Darvill, 3B: 1-4 (K, K, 1B, 1-3)
7. Eduardo Gonzalez, LF: 1-4 (P-4, E-6, 1B, K)
8. Johan DeJesus, C: 0-4 (F-7, F-7, 5-4-3 DP, F-7)
9a. Oliver Zapata, RF: 0-1 (K)
9b. Blair Springfield, RF: 1-3 (1B, K, F-9)

PITCHERS:
1. Luis Liria: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 35 pitches (22 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
2. Jean Sandoval: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 26 pitches (17 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Jose Rosario: 2.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 36 pitches (23 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
4. Alvaro Sosa: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 18 pitches (11 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
5. Amaury Paulino: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 BALK, 12 pitches (8 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: 2
1. 3B Wes Darvill E5 – throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely and runner who was on 2nd base to score unearned run
2. SS Marco Hernandez E6 – throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run

CATCHERS DEFENSE
Johan DeJesus: 1-3 CS

OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
Kyung-Min Na threw out runner 8-2 trying to score from 2nd base on line-drive single to CF

ATTENDANCE: 16

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80’s

 

Comments

Love the Extended Spring updates, Phil! I do have a question for you, though. What's been going on with the high school arms from last year's draft? Haven't heard a whole lot about Ben Wells, Austin Reed, Ryan Hartman, Colin Richardson, and Brian Smith in a while and I was hoping for some new info, if there is any. Thanks, Phil!

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 9:54pm. 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.

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

Submitted by tim815 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 5:09am. Only if Russell can start. And Stevens has to get in his 90 pitches. =================================== TIM: As would be expected after Jeff Stevens threw 89 pitches yesterday (making him unavailable for two or three days), the Cubs have optioned Stevens to AAA Iowa and recalled RHP Justin Berg. Then I would expect the Cubs to option Berg back to Iowa after Monday's game and bring up a starting pitcher for Tuesday's game vs Colorado (next Tuesday and a week from Sunday being the next two times the Cubs will need a 5th starter).

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

Submitted by tim815 on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 5:12am. Golden Keeps Hitting. Hopefully someone keeps tabs on him this winter ==================================== TIM: Although Golden's brain-dead baserunning, erratic outfield defense, and inability to make consistent contact remain concerns, the plus bat speed, XBH power, and strong outfield arm he displayed at AZ Instructs last fall are starting to surface again. He still needs to lose a few more pounds, though. He never showed more than average speed (at best) last year, but he is a downright slow runner right now. Hopefully he will attend Camp Colvin next off-season.

Ted Lilly is still throwing 84-85 mph fastballs, his velocity hasn't returned just over a year since his surgery. I would say that makes the three year deal the Dodgers signed him to look much worse. 3 year deal for a 35 year old with fading velocity. I have a feeling his era the next 3 years is going to keep climbing. UPDATE: Second inning, Lilly is starting to occasionally hit 87-88, so he's getting closer to the 90-91 he threw when he first came to the Cubs. Good for him, but I do want him to give up about 13 runs today, and the wind is howling out.

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).