Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

McDonald & Lake Lead Cubs to Victory

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Darnell McDonald and Junior Lake each had a single, a double, and an RBI, leading the Cubs to a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics in Cactus League action this afternoon at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, AZ.

box score

Scott Feldman made his first game appearance as a Cub today, getting the start and throwing two innings. He allowed one run on two hits (a single and a triple) and two walks, with two strikeouts (one swinging & one looking) and a 2/1 GO/FO. Feldman struggled with his control over the 2.0 IP (37 pitches - only 18 strikes), and benefited from two outstanding defensive plays behind him or his day could have been much worse.

After retiring the first two men he faced on a 4-3 ground out and a strikeout, Feldman walked Josh Reddick, and then surrendered a Brandon Moss one-hop line-drive single to right. RF Jorge Soler fielded the ball cleanly and fired a one-hop strike to 3rd base to nail Reddick trying to advance for the third out of the inning.  

Feldman also retired the first two men he faced in the 2nd inning (F-7 and a strikeout), before walkng Derek Norris and giving up a Michael Choice RBI triple off the CF fence. Miles Head then topped a "swinging bunt" between home and 3rd that was fielded by Feldman, but the pitcher's throw to 1st base bounced once and was a bit off line. 1B Brent Lillibridger adjusted to the situation, however, and with some fancy footwork, managed to keep his other foot on the bag as he stretched into foul territory to corral the bouncing ball for the third out, as the ball just barely missed hitting the baserunner.    

Travis Wood threw the next two innings, allowing a Derek Norris solo HR onto the LF berm and a single. He threw 41 pitches (25 strikes) with a 1/4 GO/FO over the two innings, and struck out one (the final better he faced) with no walks.  

It appears that Feldman and Wood are battling for what will eventually be the #5 starter slot (once Matt Garza and Scott Baker are ready to join the rotation), so it was interesting to see them pitch back-to-back in the same game. Wood looked much sharper than Feldman today, although (obviously) it is still very early.

After being shutout through the first two innings by LHP Brett Anderson, the Cubs scored three runs (one earned) on five hits off veteran RHP Bartolo Colon in the 3rd & 4th innings to take a 3-2 lead. 

Brent Lillibridge grounded a single through the box leading off the 3rd, and scored on a Dave Sappelt one-out RBI double off the top of the LF fence (near-HR). Then in the bottom of the 4th, Darnell McDonald grounded a lead-off single to center, and after Jorge Soler and Dioner Navarro struck out, Javier Baez ripped a line-drive single to CF, with McDonald advancing to 3rd. Lillibridge then reached base on what should have been a 4-6 FC and the third out, but A's SS Hiroyuki Nakajima dropped the toss from 2B Scott Sizemore as Baez slid hard into the bag, allowing McDonald to score. Junior Lake followed with a rocket line-drive single to left to score Baez, who put on the after-burners to just barely beat the throw home.

Carlos Marmol threw the 5th inning and did not allow the ball to leave the infield, striking out one (swinging) and inducing an infield pop up and a weak ground out. He did walk one batter, but otherwise looked very good (17 pitches - 11 strikes).

The Cubs scored again in the bottom of the 5th, as Darwin Barney led-off and reached base on a bloop single to left. Then with two outs, Darnell McDonald laced a double down the line into the LF corner, as Barney scored all the way from 1st, sliding home in a cloud of dust. 

McDonald has looked good so far, and although there are probably only five slots available on the 25-man roster for outfielders (with Soriano, DeJesus, Hairston, Schierholtz, and Sappelt the likely finalists), McDonald could win a job if Soriano gets traded, or if one of the outfielders gets hurt, or if Sappelt (who coiuld be optioned to the minors) falls flat (but so far Sappelt has played very well).

Japanese import Kyuiji Fujikawa worked the 6th and allowed one harmless single, Rule 5 pick Hector Rondon had an impressive 1-2-3 7th (3-1 GO, strikeout swinging, and a 3-U groundout), and Zach Putnam (who has been impressive so far) pitched a scoreless 8th, allowing a lead-off single before retiring the side on three straight ground outs.  

The Cubs scored their 5th and final run in the 8th. Edwin Maysonet led-off the inning by roping a double into the LF corner, advanced to 3rd base on a Brad Nelson 4-3 GO, and scored on a Christian Villanueva sacrifice fly (with plenty of distance) to CF. Villanueva (acquired from the Texas Rangers in the Ryan Dempster trade last July and rated the Cubs #12 prospect by Baseball America going into the 2013 season) has been impressive both at the plate and in the field, and while he isn't MLB-ready yet, he could be in another year (he will likely spend te 2013 season at AA Tennessee). He has shown HR power in games and an advanced approach at the plate, and he is a steady (if not spectacular) defender at 3B. He obviously has been well-coached (props to the Rangers Player Development Dept).

Both Maysonet and Nelson will likely be at Iowa in 2013, providing insurance in case of injury on the big league club (Nelson in the event Rizzo goes down, and Maysonet if something happens to Castro or Barney). It's possible that Maysonet could win a job on the Cubs MLB Opening Day 25-man roster even if there are no injuries in the infield, if Ian Stewart is released, and Luis Valbuena is the everyday third-baseman.

NRI RHP Jensen Lewis pitched the 9th and recorded the save, although it wasn't easy. He dug himself into a hole right from the gitgo by allowing two doubles (both on long fly balls that bounced over the fence) and a single, resulting in one run scoring and runners at 2nd & 3rd (the potential tying run on 2nd base) and no outs. But after a visit to the mound by Pitching Coach Chris Bosio (and with Blake Parker warming up in earnest in the Cub bullpen), Lewis reached back and struck out the next two batters swinging, before recording the final out on an easy 3-1 GO. 

Among the pitchers competing for spots in the Cub bullpen, both Hector Rondon and Michael Bowden have a built-in advantage because neither can be sent to the minors without first passing through waivers. Bowden is out of minor league options (and he also can elect free-agency if outrighted, because he has been outrighted previously in his career), while Rondon (as a Rule 5 player) must be offered back to the organization from which he was drafted (the Cleveland Indians) even if waivers are secured.

One other thing to keep in mind about Rondon is that he is not your trypical Rule 5 draft pick. A one-time Indians Top 10 Prospect who has been slow to recover after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in August 2010, Rondon is out of minor league options, and he can elect free-agency if he is sent outright to the minors (he was outrighted previously in his career), which means if he isn't kept on the Cubs MLB 25-man roster in 2013, the Cubs would have to outright him to the minors (presuming waivers are secured and the Indians decline to take him back), and then if he is outrighted, he can (like Michael Bowden) elect to be a free-agent. BTW, this also will likely impact Cleveland's decision to re-claim Rondon should it get to that point. The Indians would have to pay the Cubs $25,000 (half the Rule 5 Draft price) if they re-claim Rondon, but will they risk spending the $25,000 for nothing since Rondon can elect free-agency if outrighted (and a returned Rule 5 player MUST be sent outright to the minor league club from which he was drafted, in this case AAA Columbus).  

 

Tags
Spring Training Recap
Darnell McDonald
Junior Lake
Scott Feldman
Travis Wood
Hector Rondon

Comments

Submitted by CubbyBlue on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 02:58 pm

If I have a heart attack this week, I swear to god my last words will be, "But I never got to see Soler field the ball cleanly and fire a one-hopper to third and nail a guy trying to advance from first!"
Your coverage is the best, Phil.

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Thu, 02/28/2013 - 02:57 pm

Hey AZ Phil, really love reading your posts. Had a question for you. From all I can tell, it seems like these guys are the ones in the running for the final 2 bullpen spots: Dolis, Cabrera, Bowden, Rondon, D. Carpenter, Chapman, Coleman, Lewis, Parker, Putnam, Takahashi, Wade Just curious as to what you think of what you've seen of them, and what you think will happen to them (make the 25 man, go to AAA, opt out, get released, etc).

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 03:44 am

K Bansaw: Hector Rondon and Michael Bowden came into Spring Training with a leg up because of their roster situations (as I discussed in the post), and neither has done anything to pitch himself off the team (yet).

The young guys who have options left (Cabrera, Dolis, and McNutt) will almost certainly be sent to Iowa (all three have issues that need to be resolved), and unless Rondon and/or Bowden stumble or an injury bug hits the bullpen, Drew Carpenter, Jaye Chapman, Casey Coleman, Jensen Lewis, Blake Parker, Zach Putnam, and Cory Wade are essentially pitching for jobs at Iowa. (I suspect Hisanori Takahashi has an opt out if he doesn't make the Cubs Opening Day MLB 25-man roster).

Also keep in mind that there are a number of other pitchers (Frank Batista, Esmailin Caridad, Marcus Hatley, Kevin Rhoderick, Tony Zych, Jay Jackson, Jason Berken, Brian Schlitter, Ty'Relle Harris, Casey Harman, Jeffry Antigua, Marcos Mateo, Carlos Gutierrez, Casey Weathers, and Dontrelle Willis) at Minor League Camp who are competing for bullpen jobs at Iowa, too (and most of them will get an opportunity to throw in a Cactus League game or two along the way), so there will be blood and heads will roll the last week of Spring Training. (BTW, Lendy Castillo and Dayan Diaz will almost certainly begin the season at either Tennessee or Daytona).   

There also will be competition for the five slots in the starting rotation at Iowa, although Chris Rusin, Brooks Raley, Nick Struck, Barret Loux, and Dae-Eun Rhee look to be the front-runners to win those jobs, with the possibility that a AAA veteran like J. Jackson, Coleman, or Berken, or perhaps Cuban refugee Yoannis Negrin (who pitched well in Winter Ball) could sneak into the I-Cubs rotation if injuries bite one or more of the starters. (Rob Whitenack will likely be a starter at AA Tennessee).  

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 03:41 am

2013 season has already gotten better for tv viewers... --- In a controversial decision certain to be associated with some symbolic meaning by Cubs fans everywhere, the Chicago Cubs have said they will no longer invite celebrities visiting Wrigley Field to lead seventh-inning stretch renditions of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The tradition, started by legendary Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray, will be limited to celebrities with strong ties to the city or team.. "I think the last couple of years we had gotten away to a couple of people who weren't tied to Chicago," said Jim Oboikowitch, the Cubs in-game programming director. The Associated Press reports: Oboikowitch said the new plan calls for handing the microphone over to people like former Cubs players and various Chicago celebrities like actors Vince Vaughn and Gary Sinise. Always welcome would be any member of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears, of course.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

Click HERE for the last 50 comments