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

McDonald & Lake Lead Cubs to Victory

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).  

 

Comments

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.

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).

[ ]

In reply to by Koyies Bansaw

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).  

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

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s a fantastic deal for SF

  • 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?