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

Cub Bats Rock Fitch Park

Javier Baez (solo HR and a two-run single), Jeimer Candelario (two-run triple and an RBI single), and Danny Lockhart (two-run single and an RBI single) drove-in three runs a piece, Xavier Batista doubled twice, singled, and scored a run, and Micah Gibbs reached base four times on two singles and two walks and scored two runs, leading the Cubs to an 11-3 thumping of the Rockies in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 in Mesa, AZ.

On the AAA Iowa Cubs Disabled List since April 19th with back issues, veteran LHRP Ryan Rowland-Smith made a rehab appearance in today’s game, throwing an 11-pitch 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts (both swinging) and an infield pop out. He looks like he’s ready to return to the I-Cubs bullpen.

In EXST Cubs roster news, 2B Gioskar Amaya has returned from his three-day stint with the Iowa Cubs in Sacramento, where the 19-year old had a pinch-hit double yesterday. Amaya was in the EXST Cubs lineup today, playing 2B and going 0-3 with two walks and a run scored. (Amaya leads the EXST Cubs in walks with 12).

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Trey Martin, CF: 1-5 (K, 1B, F-8, P-4, F-9)
2. Gioskar Amaya, 2B: 0-3 (K, 6-4-3 DP, 4-3, BB, BB, R)
3. Javier Baez, SS: 2-5 (HR, K, K, 1B, E-8, R, 3 RBI)
4a. Xavier Batista, LF-DH: 3-3 (2B, 2B, 1B, R)
4a. Justin Marra, PH-DH: 0-2 (P-4, 3-U)
5. Micah Gibbs, C: 2-3 (4-3, BB, BB, 1B, 1B, 2 R, PO)
6. Dan Vogelbach, 1B-DH: 2-5 (F-8, 1B, P-5, 1B, 4-6 FC, 2 R, RBI)
7. Rock Shoulders, DH-1B: 1-4 (4-3, K, 1B, K, R)
8. Jeimer Candelario, 3B-DH: 2-3 (4-3, 3B, SH-E5, 1B, R, 3 RBI)
9a. Neftali Rosario, DH #2: 0-1 (K)
9b. Eduardo Gonzalez, PH-LF: 1-3 (L-9, 1B, F-8, R)
10. Kevin Encarnacion, RF: 1-3 (BB, 2B, K, F-7)
11a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
11b. Danny Lockhart, 3B: 2-2 (1B, 1B, R, 3 RBI, SB)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Jose Arias: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 1 PO, 47 pitches (31 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
2. Ryan Rowland-Smith: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 11 pitches (8 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
3. Augusto Colina: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 36 pitches (20 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
4. Rafael Diplan: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 41 pitches (21 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
5. Javier Castro: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 12 pitches (9 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO

CUBS ERRORS: 2:
1. 1B Dan Vogelbach - E-3 (missed catch on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed baserunner to advance to 2nd base)
2. P Jose Arias - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed baserunner to score from 3rd base)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Micah Gibbs: 0-2 CS

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
CF Trey Martin - threw out runner 8-5 trying to advance an extra base on overthrow at 2nd base on stolen base

ATTENDANCE: 6

WEATHER: Sunny, hot, and VERY breezy with 100+ temperatures

Comments

Hey Phil, If you get the chance, would you show the updated stats for the EXT crew? I was wondering how our big 1b we're doing. Vogelbomb and Shoulders don't appear to be driving the ball out west there. Also, a comment was made in one of the last posts that had a solid request: What would be your prediction for the opening Boise squad? If it's too much, no worries.

[ ]

In reply to by Childersb3

Wed, 05/16/2012 - 4:18pm — Childersb3 Hey Phil, If you get the chance, would you show the updated stats for the EXT crew? I was wondering how our big 1b we're doing. Vogelbomb and Shoulders don't appear to be driving the ball out west there. Also, a comment was made in one of the last posts that had a solid request: What would be your prediction for the opening Boise squad? If it's too much, no worries. ========================== CHILDERS: I did a Boise/AZL Cubs roster projection in a comment here a couple of weeks ago, but I'll do another one next week. There will also be complete updated EXST stats next weekend when we get to the 2/3 mark. As for Dan Vogelbach and Rock Shoulders, here are their current up-to-the-minute EXST stats: DAN VOGELBACH: 177/278/339 21 GAMES – 72 PA 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 9 R, 8/14 BB/K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 2 GIDP
DEFENSE: 5 ERRORS

ROCK SHOULDERS: 228/297/367 19 GAMES – 64 PA 5 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 6/23 BB/K, 1 SF, 3 GIDP DEFENSE: 2 ERRORS FWIW, Shoulders has been (slightly) better over his past three weeks than he was over his first three weeks, while Vogelbach has been somewhat worse.

on the topic of minor league stats (blah, blah, disclaimer, not the end-all, be-all, etc) The Cubs system right now sucks ass. It's basically A. Rizzo and J. Lake's first 9 games or on the offensive side and E. Jokisch and Francescon on the pitching side. I'll say A. Kirk, Rusin and Burke are doing nicely ERA-wise, but the peripherals seem lacking. N. Perez is 2nd in the FSL in OPS so give him some props, but he's 24 also in Hi-A. I'm sure I'm missing a few, but slim pickings to get excited about.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

The poor depth in the farm systems makes me think that they will trade Garza, Dempster, etc .for prospects. That said, if Jackson and Rizzo play as expected, they should be able to be competitive in 2013 if the money coming off the books is spent wisely, leaving the rebuilding of the minors to the draft. I will be interested to see which way they elect to go.

Scary stuff in Tampa. W. Rhymes hit in the forearm, looked bad but he tried to stay in. Then passed out on the field. Carted off the field....awake, but he probably broke his arm. Apparently B. Guyer was put on the DL.

if s.camp keeps this up he'll never throw 100 innings out of the pen. shame. 3-2 phi/chc...going to the bottom 8.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

I doubt Papa Joe cares much about the bad PR this might bring the Cubs. It's unfortunate considering how I generally sway politically, but Laura Ricketts is a pretty big Obama supporter and has a lot more to do with the Cubs. You can't choose your parents. Shame Papa Joe wants to spend millions slinging mud rather than creating jobs though. I guess it's better to ask the people of Illinois to foot the bill.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

He's not a sports patriarch, he's a business tycoon (Ameritrade founder). I think old Joe cares nothing about our Cubs, he basically bought the team as an investment and (an expensive) toy for his kids to play with. Still not convinced the Ricketts are going to be a long-term positive for the Cubs.

[ ]

In reply to by Dr. aaron b

Yeah, 'irony' is one word for it. Regardless of party persuasion (and I'm a radical independent), I just think it's unfortunate that people will now associate (indirectly, albeit) the Cubs with US politics of any sort, considering how dysfunctional our political system and culture is and has been, well, for some time now. (And it opens up opportunities for others to bag on the Cubs - look at Nancy Pelosi taking a shot at the Cubs today) If I wear a Cubs shirt, I hope I don't have to defend myself against Democrats or slow down smiling Republicans, shorting both from drawing any conclusions. Either way, this just sucks. It's Mr. Rickett's right to free speech to do this, but I still think it just sucks. And I think it would suck if he was sugar-daddying Obama or the Democrats as well.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Statement http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/05/statement-ricketts-rejects-… Joe Ricketts is a registered independent, a fiscal conservative, and an outspoken critic of the Obama Administration, but he is neither the author nor the funder of the so-called “Ricketts Plan” to defeat Mr. Obama that The New York Times wrote about this morning. Not only was this plan merely a proposal – one of several submitted to the Ending Spending Action Fund by third-party vendors – but it reflects an approach to politics that Mr. Ricketts rejects and it was never a plan to be accepted but only a suggestion for a direction to take. Mr. Ricketts intends to work hard to help elect a President this fall who shares his commitment to economic responsibility, but his efforts are and will continue to be focused entirely on questions of fiscal policy, not attacks that seek to divide us socially or culturally.

Keith Law chat http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/43854 Given the Cubs' distance from contention, are they likely to go for upside (e.g. Giolito or Correa) at 6? Klaw: Begging the question. A team's distance from contention should have no effect on its drafting strategy - and that will be true with the Cubs, since it's a rational front office now. Almora vs. Correa True centerfielder, future plus glove. I'd be fine with either guy; I prefer Correa, but my preferences among the top 6-8 names are pretty fungible, at least to the point where if Houston took any of them I could make a good argument in their favor. Bob from Tinley Park: Klaw, why doesn't this "rational front office" the Cubs have now trade guys like LaHair (while he's hot), Garza, and quit picking up vets like MacDougal and signing Wood? Oh wait, Ricketts needs to sell tix, forgot... Klaw: Because it's not that easy. The market for players is neither fluid nor efficient. You see few trades in May in any year, and you need a buyer to trade a guy like LaHair. Misrahi from Tennessee: Not even half way through the season, but are the Marlins looking like winners in the Zambrano trade? Volstad may be under team control, but he's a quad A player at the moment... KLaw: You're ignoring years of control. Re: Dillon Maples injury Arm of course. As for timing, let me check my watch ... looks like I'm half past caring. Re: Hak-Ju Lee He's had some bad luck and some mechanical issues that the Rays feel like they've worked 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).