Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Errors & Walks Doom Cubs in Maryvale

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

The Brewers took advantage of four errors and seven walks to defeat the Cubs 10-1 at Maryvale Baseball Complex Field #7 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon in Phoenix.

While the main purpose of "Instructs" is to provide lots of coaches and instructors and a less-pressurized, more low-key environment that allows pitchers to work on a new pitch or on their secondary stuff and position players to try a new position, make adjustments as a hitter, or improve their baserunning, the fact is somedays the Cubs youngsters look better than they do on other days. And today was just not one of the good days.

18-year old Venezuelan RHP Larry Suarez got the start for the Cubs, and had an easy 1-2-3 1st inning with two strikeouts and a 3-1 ground out. But the big right-hander gave up three runs in the second on a lead-off first-pitch single, a walk (3-2 pitch just missed), and a line single to CF that was misplayed into a three-base error by Tony Campana, allowing all three runs to score (only one of the runs ended up being earned, however). Suarez actually looked OK, throwing an 88-91 MPH "heavy" two-seamer with an effective breaking ball and change. 

RHP Tommy Mejia (2008 NDFA out of Dominican College in New York) followed and didn't even last one inning. In fact, the only two outs he got were baserunners caught stealing by catcher Carlos Perez. Otherwise Mejia had a very poor outing (four consecutive hits).

2008 11th round pick RHP Toby Matchulat (Wabash Valley CC) wasn't much better, allowing three runs (one earned) on two singles and a walk mixed together with his own throwing error on a pick-off attempt at 1st base and a costly two-out fielding error by SS Carlos Morales (the first of two errors by the lanky Dominican infielder).
 
RHPs John Muller and Brian Schlitter (the former a converted college SS and the latter acquired from the Phillies last month for LHP Scott Eyre) and Daytona LHP Dustin Sasser then combined to throw four scoreless innings of one-hit relief, before converted OF (now LHP) Luke Sommer gave up two runs in the bottom of the 9th on two doubles and a triple. (Even though the Brewers were victorious in 8-1/2 innings, the game was extended one additional half-inning to allow Sommer to get his scheduled one inning of work). 

The Cubs scored their only run in the bottom of the 6th on a lead-off single by Carlos Perez, a one-out double to left center by Josh Harrison (2008 6th round pick out of the U. of Cincinnati), and an RBI sac fly to medium-deep RF by converted infielder (now catcher) Robinson Chirinos. 

Starlin Castro had three singles and a stolen base.

Brandon Guyer (who hit a HR in each of the Cubs first two games) had the day off.

And still no sign of 3B Josh Vitters and OF Dylan Johnston.

Here is the abridged box score (Cubs players only): 

LINEUP:
1. Tony Campana, CF: 1-4 (K, CS)
2. Josh Harrison, LF: 2-4 (2 2B, SB, CS)
3. Robinson Chirinos, DH-C: 0-2 (SF-RBI, BB)
4. Jericho Jones, RF: 0-4 (K)
5. Michael Brenly, 1B: 0-2 (2 BB, K)
6. Jake Opitz, DH #2: 0-2 (2 BB)
7. Starlin Castro, 3B: 3-4 (SB)
8. Logan Watkins, 2B: 0-3 (BB)
9. Carlos Morales, SS: 0-3 (K)
10. Carlos Perez, C-DH: 1-3 (R)

PITCHERS:
1. Larry Suarez - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 2 K (2/2 GO/FO) - 33 pitches (17 strikes)
2. Tomy Mejia - 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K  - 23 pitches (13 strikes)
3. Toby Matchulat - 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP (1/2 GO/FO) - 19 pitches (11 strikes) 
4. John Muller - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K (1/1 GO/FO) - 24 pitches (11 strikes)
5. Brian Schlitter - 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K (0/1 GO/FO) - 31 pitches (19 strikes) 
6. Dustin Sasser - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1/1 GO/FO) - 16 pitches (10 strikes)
7. Luke Sommer - 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K (0/2 GO/FO) - 17 pitches (13 strikes)

ERRORS: (4)
1. Tony Campana, E-8, overran line drive single to CF allowing batter to run all the way around the bases and score (three-base error)
2. Toby Matchulat, E-1, overthrew pickoff attempt at 1st base, allowing runner to advance to 2nd base
3. Carlos Morales, E-6, fielding error with two outs allowed batter to reach base & runners to score from 2nd and 3rd
4. Carlos Morales, E-6, misplayed ground ball allowing batter to reach base

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Carlos Perez: 2-3 CS
Robinson Chirinos: 1-1 CS

OUTFIELD ASSIST:
LF Josh Harrison, threw out batter-runner 7-4 trying to stretch a single into a double 

WEATHER: 100+ again, occasionally breezy, but mainly just plain very hot 

ATTENDANCE: 16 (mostly scouts) 

Tags
Starlin Castro
Larry Suarez
Josh Harrison
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by Raisin101 on Wed, 09/24/2008 - 09:16 pm

Thanks, AZ Phil! Any thoughts on the kids from the DSL who are up for the first time? Carlos Morales had some nice numbers in the DSL (except for the 35 errors!). Any gems in there? Again, thanks. Love the reports!

Submitted by falcon on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 09:49 pm

I guess the trainer stays quite busy at Fitch. I heard they shut down Dylan Jonston & Nelson Perez for the rest of instructionals.Perez is having hernia surgery. Johnston has hamstring issues. Jericho Jones is being limited to DH'ing, as he is rehabbing his throwing shoulder (tired arm as a result of being a weekend starter in college and also playing the outfield in the second game of the doubleheaders that he was the starting pitcher for the first game)The scouts knew he had a "80" scale arm in college with a 90-92 fastball but when he showed up to Mesa, his tired arm was about a "30".So Jericho never got to showcase his strong arm in the outfield yet, but will when spring training rolls around. Josh Vitters has been ill and they're suspecting mono....hope not.They are down to 2 outfielders (Campana & Guyer) so they're trying to put some infielders out there to fill in.

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)

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    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".
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    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. 

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