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 Walk-Off with 7-6 Decision at Fitch

After Neftali Rosario was walked intentionally to load the bases and set-up a potential game-ending double play, Taylor Davis drilled a one-out two-run game-winning walk-off single on a 2-2 pitch past a a diving 3rd baseman into LF to score Marco Hernandez from 3rd base with the tying run and Gioskar Amaya from 2nd base with the winning run, as the AZL Cubs rallied for two runs in the bottom of the 9th to edge the AZL Rangers 7-6 in Arizona League action at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa this morning.  

box score

The Cubs led 5-1 through three innings, plating two runs in the bottom of the 2nd on a Marco Hernandez two-run triple into the RF corner following back-to-back two-out singles by Trey Martin and Kyung-Min Na, and then three more in the bottom of the 3rd on a Taylor Davis RBI GO, a Ryan Cuneo RBI double, and a Kyung-Min Na RBI single.   

Two rehabbin' Iowa Cubs were in the AZL Cubs lineup today, as Marquez Smith (on the I-Cubs 7-day DL since 6/26 with a hand injury) played 2B and hit 3rd, and Welington Castillo (on the Iowa DL since 7/28 with a hamstring injury) was the catcher and hit clean-up. Both of the I-Cubs played seven innings, with mixed resuits.

W. Castillo doubled twice (one a near-HR slammed off the right-centerfield fence, and the other a near-HR crushed off the top of the LF fence), and looked fully mobile behind the plate. (And none of the Ranger baserunners dared to run against him, either). This will be Castillo's only rehab game action, as he will be rejoining the Iowa Cubs in Tacoma on Friday. 

Marquez Smith looked fine right up until the very end (hitting the ball hard twice), before tweaking a groin or a quad while running out a pop-fly in the bottom of the 7th in what was supposed to be his final AB. Since he is at Fitch Park rehabbing a hand injury, and since a quad or groin strain is a completely different problem, Smith could very possibly be spending considerable more time on the DL while dealing with this new medical issue.    

LHP Hunter Ackerman (Cubs 2010 4th round draft pick out of Louisburg JC) got the start for the AZL Cubs today, and threw four innings (61 pitches - 38 strikes), allowing two runs (both earned) on four hits, while walking two, and striking out two. The lefty got a ton of ground balls (10/0 GO/FO including two 6-4-3 DP) with his high-80's two-seamer, and a few swings & misses with his plus-curve, although he also bounced several in front of the plate.   

Down 5-1, the Rangers rallied for five runs in the top of the 7th off Cubs RHP Felix Pena, who had breezed through his first two innings of relief (six-up & six-down on only 17 pitches). But Pena could only get one out in the 7th, allowing a two-run HR to Rangers DH Clark Murphy, and then three more runs on three hits and a HBP after that (with LHRP Andrew McKirahan allowing two inherited runners to score on a WP and an RBI single). 

Up 6-5, the Rangers were in a good position to add some insurance in the top of the 9th, as Cubs reliever Santo Rodriguez surrendered a bunt single and a double with no outs. But (with the Cubs playing a drawn-in infield to cut down a potential score), Rodriguez induced a weak grounder to 1st (3-U) for the first out (with both runners holding their respective base), and then struck out the last two hitters of the inning (one looking and one swinging) to end the threat.

The Cubs could not have asked for a better set-up coming into the bottom of the 9th, trailing by only one run with hot-hitting Marco Hernandez and Gioskar Amaya due up 1-2. And the two young infielders did not disappoint, either, as Hernandez came back from 0-2 to work a ten-pitch walk, before Amaya (with the Ranger infield expecting a bunt) drilled a single through the 5.5 hole into LF to advance Hernandez to 2nd. Gregori Gonzalez then beat the wheel-play and laid down a picture-perfect sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out. 

Neftali Rosario was walked intentionally to load the bases and set-up a potential game-ending DP, but Taylor Davis (possibly the slowest runner in professional baseball) upset the Ranger plan, working the count to 2-2 before hammering the game-winning hit to the left of the third-baseman and into LF. Hernandez scored the tying run easily from 3rd, and with AZL Cub manager Juan Cabreja enthusiastically waiving him around third, Amaya scored the winning run from 2nd, sliding home just ahead of the left-fielder's throw in a cloud of dust as Hernandez directed Amaya (with hand signals) to slide to the outside of the plate and touch the plate with his left hand.  

With a single and a two-run triple today, Hernandez extended his hitting streak to 16 games, and improved his "slash line" to 358/397/509. And with two walks and a single, Amaya improved his "slash line" to 366/408/483. Hernandez is now 10th in the AZL in BA, second in RBI, tied for 3rd in doubles, and tied for 6th in triples, and Amaya is 4th in the AZL in BA and is tied for 3rd in triples.  

By rallying to edge the AZL West-leading Rangers, the AZL Cubs remain five games behind the AZL Giants in the AZL East, but two games ahead of the AZL Reds for the AZL Wild Card lead, with 15 games left to play. The three division winners and a Wild Card team (the second-place AZL team with best record) will qualify for the AZL playoffs.

And if you think winning doesn't matter in the minor leagues, you didn't see the AZL Cubs mob Taylor Davis after his game-winning hit.

Comments

regards to Dunston Jr... Good luck with your decision, @s_dunstonjr. Looks like win-win, either get paid nicely to play for #Cubs or get to attend #Vanderbilt. followed by... @jimcallisBA yes it is and we will see what happens over the next few days #Vandy #Cubs that was prefaced by callis changing his opinion on Dunston Jr. signing from a yes to a maybe

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

it's still there....twitter is just dumb. if you linger on there for a few minutes all of a sudden they appear as "new" tweets even though they posted hours ago. i still don't get how they feed their info...checking some sportswriters twitter sites you can get disappearing/reappearing tweets just by refreshing. ==== jacquez_ricky Ricky Jacquez @NicoMoran not yet still weighing options but schools sounding pretty legit right now 3 hours ago jacquez_ricky Ricky Jacquez @BleacherNation i would love more than anything to start my career and become a cub but its a tough decision. 6 hours ago jacquez_ricky Ricky Jacquez Texas bound! 6 hours ago

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

I enjoyed that, I guess because he told me what I wanted to hear about Jackson and Flaherty. A scouting report on Marlon Byrd, the current occupant of center field with the Cubs, would talk about how, over his career, he has shortened his swing by 40-50 percent in order to catch up with fastballs, and added 40-50 percent to his bicep measurement so that with his truncated swing, he can hit a ball to the warning track and occasionally get one over the fence. Did Gary Hughes scout him, too?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

ends up #8 for those w/o a subscription wtf author seems reasonable in his assessment though... Brett Jackson (Cubs) Solicited Response: Appeared on every list TCF: Jackson lacks the ceiling of every other player on this list, yet his name appeared on all solicited responses. He’s Mr. Solid-Average; he is a good but not great defensive center fielder, but he will be able to play the position in the majors because he has enough speed and quickness for range, his routes are improving, and his arm is at least average. At the plate, Jackson is a good but not great hitter, with some pop but some miss in the swing, though his approach isn’t wild and he’ll be able to reach base. Again, Jackson lacks the tools to be a star, but he’ll be Mr. Solid-Average at the major-league level, and that’s an extremely valuable commodity to have under team control for six seasons.

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

employing a pitcher-friendly backup catcher isn't unique to the Cubs and once they decided to keep Hill in spring training, not gonna reverse course mid-season. Especially when you have a manager afraid to upset his veterans that seem to like him. When Soto is hurt and Hill is getting the bulk of the playing time, that's pretty upsetting, but these instances don't bother me much. Anyway, clearly by playing Reed Johnson, Q-Ball is trying to win as many games as he can to keep his job or look good for another job down the road rather than do anything for the good of the franchise.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

"Pitcher Friendly" is code for "can't hit", isn't it? I wonder what the TCR community would think of a all hit, no defense backup. Making outs, and double plays, and allowing stolen bases are so readily tangible I guess it's hard balance that properly against his calling and receiving skills. He does have a lower CERA than Soto and a better win/loss record than the team when he starts (I wouldn't be surprised if the CERA is totally explained by the fact that he plays against his counterpart, shitty backup catchers usually).

[ ]

In reply to by Jace

why burn up arb. eligable time on guys who probably won't be 2012 opening day ready even on the best of projections. it'd be nice if wellington and carpenter were healthy...wellington should be very soon. we should be seeing what jay jackson can do, but he's in year 2 of taking a step backwards...this one more serious than the last. j.gaub is healthy + close to ready...should see him soon enough, but he's just a middle relief prospect. i know some people like m.smith, but aram is playing 3rd and benching him for no reason isn't going to happen on anyone's team...besides, he's not much of a prospect though he's not trash. i like b.jackson, but i don't think he needs to be rushed to the bigs to solve a problem that doesn't exist in CF.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

As a rule, I love prospects and hate seeing old retreads taking up roster space. Colvin vs. Johnson could make me reconsider my rule, however. What objection do people have to Colvin--or anyone else--earning his starts? (Reed Johnson certainly has to earn his.) In this latest go-round, Colvin has 4 hits in 20 at bats, or 1 every 5, which makes it problematic whether he'll get enough at-bats to get a hit today if you play him. It's true that 2 of his hits are homers, which gives him a homer every ten at-bats. If a manager really thought Colvin was going to get a home run every 10 or 15 at bats, he would play him. Maybe that's how Colvin will eventually earn his starts, by hitting enough bombs to allow everyone to ignore all the poor at-bats. It works for Soriano. But I don't think Colvin is there yet.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I agree and was just as puzzled when he got the deal. Crawford's appeal is his speed. It influences his ability as a hitter and on defense. Speed players rarely keep top flight speed into their 30's. If Crawford can compensate for his inevitable decline in speed by turning on the ball more and hitting a few more hr's, it's not so awful, but now we're arguing that he needs to adapt as he gets older for it to not be a bad contract. Also, and I said this when he signed, a speed type player going to a climate that is cold and rainy for the first month plus and final month of the season doesn't bode well for pulled hamstrings. Just for that case, it would have made more sense for Crawford to sign with the Angels or another warm weather team. I think the Red Sox completely overpaid for him, and I don't know what other team they were trying to outbid, if any, it seems more like they had decided XYZ was the contract they were going to offer, regardless of competition. If Reyes, who is similar to Crawford but has a history of leg injuries, gets a deal like that, it will be another mistake.

[ ]

In reply to by Paul Noce

once again, don't think anyone was really arguing that he got overpaid. Just hard time seeing how you could think Werth's deal isn't worse. Werth was a prime candidate for not giving a shit the second he got his deal. fwiw, Angels allegedly offered 6/108 with a 7th year option, so the Red Sox only went a little crazy, but it's not like other teams really know what's being offered. Just for that case, it would have made more sense for Crawford to sign with the Angels or another warm weather team. actually it would make more sense for Crawford to sign for the most money cause he gets paid regardless if he's injured and I'm sure you never plan on yourself getting injured.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

A couple issues with this. Would you rather have a guy who hits 40 home runs with no stolen bases, or 0 HR's with 40 stolen bases? So, speed wasn't his best tool. The other issue, is that we're talking about Soriano being under contract, for essentially three older years. The two years older that he started, and the additional year on the deal. The Cubs are going to owe Soriano $54 million for his 36 to 38 years. The Red Sox are going to owe Crawford $0. How much more would you have liked the Soriano deal if he were a FA this off-season?

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Talking 20 months difference. Talking an extra contract year for Soriano, and more annually per year for Crawford. Pretty damn close comps in a sane persons eyes. Speed was Soriano's best tool because he could use it in more than one area. Power was also a very nice plus tool in his arsenal. Crawford's best tool is also his speed. His bat tool is much weaker than Soriano's was in his prime. At peak Soriano was a better player. Unfortunately for us he got hurt 11 games into his Cubs tenure. He's never been the same player since. If the same injury happens to Crawford. He will be even more of an albatross than Soriano currently is. That in and of itself makes his contract a bad one.

[ ]

In reply to by The Real Neal

Obviously I'd like to see that deal go away. I thought the deal was excessive at the time. Seemed like we were bidding against ourselves the whole time (A common Hendry theme). However I do understand the thinking of doing it at the time. 2006 was a complete disaster. New ownership wanted to make a splash. McFail had already been canned. Hendry,McDonough and Co. were in "Hide Saving Mode". Just point out it wouldn't have been quite so bad if Soriano didn't blow out his legs 11 games into his contract. Could be worse though. We could have 6.5 years and 130 more dollars of Carl Crawford and his .687 OPS out in LF.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Crawford's defense in LF in Wrigley would be nice, at least. I still don't understand why Crawford can't play CF, either. The Crawford, Soriano, and Werth contracts were all excessively terrible. Personally, I think the Werth contract is the most terrible if only because of its potential to financially handcuff the club that signed it. Crawford alone can't destroy the Boston roster, and Hendry needed to make a number of other bad (if not quite as atrocious) signings to do the damage the North side is currently enduring.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

he probably can and would if needed, just comfortable there and Ellsbury is no slouch. Nationals have plenty of cash, they've been trying to spend it over the last 3 years, no one wants it. They'll be big players in the Fielder/Pujols sweepstakes. Werth one is atrocious to me, cause he doesn't give a shit and it's from his age 32-38 seasons. Maybe if Strasburg and Harper and Co. make them relevant again, he'll become interested, but him, much like Soriano, were just happy to get the money. Soriano was age 31-38 Crawford age 29-35

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

always been a guy that I heard had a bad attitude and kind of a dick. more rumors and innuendo to be honest, but where there's smoke, there's usually fire and there's been a lot of smoke around Werth for a long time. here's one such example, I've read plenty more. http://www.crossingbroad.com/2010/07/jayson-werth.html The first sign of trouble was when Charlie Manuel mentioned that there were some players in the locker room concerned about money (Werth is the most notable soon to be free agent). Then Manuel took it a step further and opined that it was affecting Werth at the plate- Werth denied it. Then he cursed at a fan. And gave a half-assed apology. TheDirty.com reported a rumor about him and Chase Utley's wife (likely not true, but the timing couldn't have been worse). -edit- not that he's particularly unique or anything in the game of baseball, just not a guy at age 32 that should get a 7-year deal that sets him for life.

What happened to "dead ass team" Bob the Cub critic? Brenly has really turned into a cheerleader lately. It's almost like someone sat him down and told him to stop scaring fans away. Anyone agree with Bob that "there's a lot of parity" in the National League, everyone has good starting pitching staffs and anybody can beat anybody now? That was the lede prior to today's game.

from gammons, alt title, "The Secret To Jim Hendry's Success" A very wise GM says "the key to success isn't managing who's below you, but managing who's above you." And how does Selig manage the owners?

[ ]

In reply to by Dusty Baylor

of course... I wanted Peavy too and glad that didn't work out, but while everyone was mentioning that Granderson can't hit lefties I was happy to try and get an under 30 that can legitimately play CF and has the approach I like. But tale as old as time, Yanks and Red Sox and seemingly now the Phillies seem to always know when to pull the trigger and get the elite talent, while the Cubs seem to settle for the good talent or misidentify the elite talent (Soriano). Obviously Hendry has had some hits along the way, but a little too few and far between lately. -edit- I never care to be one of those guys that is just "I just told you so", cause I've had plenty of misses in my illustrious internet career (marcus giles comes to mind), but when there is a guy that you like and it ends up working out for another team, it's natural to be annoyed I think. just venting after Granderson hits another one...

Has there been any trade speculation about Aram now that his family has up and left back to the DR? I feel like that was what was keeping him primarily from approving a trade...

Veteran RHP Dave Bush opts out of his Class AAA Iowa contract. #Cubs

The last six half innings of the game have ended with a strikeout... sort of like Leslie Nielsen is the ump.

4 minor leaguers suspended by MLB, including #Twins 1B Kennys Vargas (E-town), #Astros' Euris Quezada, #Cubs Double-A C Luis Flores ...

Marmol implosion warning... BB and a single to start off the 9th

Jackson, their first-round pick in 2009, must be added to the 40-man roster and protected from the Rule 5 draft if the Cubs promote him when rosters expand in September. He requires no such protection through the winter if they don’t bring him up. --- Me no like this article by Wittenmeyer... http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/6997968-417/will-alfonso-s… --- “Everybody woke up and started hitting the ball better and realized how good we are,’’ Soriano said. “It’s getting too late, but it’s good we realize how good we are .  .  . because [it gives] more confidence for next year.’’

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).