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

Tulo Two RBI Too Much for Cubs

Troy Tulowitzki drove-in both Colorado runs with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, and Jorge de la Rosa and four relievers combined to toss a six-hit shutout, as the Rockies blanked the Cubs 2-0 in Cactus League action this afternoon at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, AZ.

box score

The Cubs offense sputtered all day, but they did threaten to score twice.

The Cubs loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 3rd inning but did not score (Luis Valbuena drew a walk, Darwin Barney reached on an infield hit down the third-base line, and Starlin Castro grounded a single to left, but then Alfonso Soriano and Scott Hairston struck out swinging and Dioner Navarro flied out to CF), and the first two Cubs reached base in the bottom of the 9th but were left stranded (Steve Clevenger reached on an infield single that glanced off the pitcher's glove and Johermyn Chavez drew a walk, but Darnell McDonald was called out on strikes on a 3-2 pitch, Jorge Soler popped out to the first-baseman in foul territory, and PH Brad Nelson rolled out 4-3).  

After not pitching in an "A" game since a week ago Sunday, Edwin Jackson got the start for the Cubs today and became the first Cub hurler to go five innings, E-Jax allowed one run on three hits (two infield singles and the Tulo RBI double) and one walk in his 5.0 IP (59 pitches - 38 strikes, 6/5 GO/FO), while striking out two. This was definitely the best Jackson has looked so far this Spring.

Japanese import RHRP Kyuji Fujikawa labored through a 25-pitch 6th, as the Rockies loaded the bases on a single and two walks, followed by the Tulowitzki SF. Although Fujikawa was behind on most every hitter he faced, he did strike out two (one looking and one swinging). 

Both Cory Wade and Carlos Marmol breezed through seven-pitch shutout innings in the 7th & 8th, and Jensen Lewis pitched a scoreless 9th, allowing a lead-off single, but eventually leaving the runner stranded at 2nd.   

Catcher Dioner Navarro had another strong game behind the plate, picking one runner off 1st base, and nailing another runner trying to steal 2nd.

After missing two weeks with a hamstring injury, Starlin Castro returned to the lineup and looked fine. He played shortstop for three innings and handled five chances easily (Eric Young, Jr did beat-out an infield single to deep short, but there was no realistic chance to throw Young out although Castro did make the play close at 1st), and reached base in both of his AB (drawing a walk in the 1st, and grounding a single to LF in the 3rd).   

Comments

AZ Phil: What differences do you see from lefties Chris Rusin and Travis Wood. (A compare and contrast question). I've heard James Russell still has some starter aspirations. Of the three which would be the most likely to have success as a starter based on repertoire, control and pitching IQ? Rusin with another good outing, shutting out the Dodgers through 5 IP.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

CUBSTER: Chris Rusin throws a 87-89 MPH four-seamer, a 85-87 MPH sinker, a change-up, and a slider, and none of his pitches are what you would call a "strikeout pitch." But at the same time, he does mix up his pitches very well and knows how work hitters, he throws strikes, he's polished, and he can get a lot of ground balls, making him the prototypical "crafty lefty."  He has the stamina to be a starter, and he's an above-average hitter for a pitcher, too (he was the DH at the U.of Kentucky on days he wasn't pitching). I would say he projects as an MLB #4 or #5 starter, with more value on a starting staff that can use a lefty. He gives up a lot of hits so he probably wouldn't be a good late-inning reliever, and he realy doesn't profile as a LOOGY either.   

Travis Wood throws an outstanding  89-91 MPH cutter, a change-up, and a breaking ball, and is more of a fly ball pitcher than Rusin, but he also gets more strikeouts. Wood is the type of pitcher who could get rocked for multiple HR on a windy day at Wrigley, but he also is capable of a 10-strikeout performance. He would project as a #3 starter, and he also is a VERY good hitter (LHP who is a RH hitter). Wood is very effective versus LH hitters so he probably could be a LOOGY, except that would be wasting his talent, plus he's been used exclusively as a starting pitcher throughout his career. 

James Russell's best pitch is his change-up, and he also throws a 87-89 MPH fastball and your basic slider. He uses the slider (which is just average) a lot against LH hitters and the change-up (his best pitch and his "strikeout pitch") against RH hitters. He's really more of a reliever who happens to throw LH than a LH relief specialist. He was tried as a starter a couple of years ago and failed miserably, mainly because he doesn't have the repertoire to go two times through the order. He's fine where he is right now. No reason to try him as a starter again, although I can see why he would want to start, because starters make a lot more money than do relievers.      

Vitter beats Stewart into game action, bottom of 5th, replacing Lilibridge...although Stewart played in a minor league game today.

from the Rangers mlb.com blog...TR Sullivan (the CMuskat equivalent for Texas):
Have you heard the full story on the Barret Loux and Jacob Brigham swap? Brigham just got reassigned and has an opt-out date, so it's likely he never throws a meaningful pitch for the Rangers. It seems like we let the Cubs take advantage of this deal. -- Jeff S., Fort Worth, Texas
The Rangers made the deal with the Cubs for catcher Geovany Soto on the night of July 30. The two teams had talked about both Loux and Brigham. The Cubs agreed to the deal for Brigham but still wanted to review his medical records. While they were doing so, news of the trade leaked out from Chicago. At the same time, the Cubs started expressing reluctance to acquire Brigham because they had concerns about his physical conditioning. By then, Yorvit Torrealba had been told what the situation was and Soto was coming to Texas to replace him. The Rangers, backed into a bad spot, convinced the Cubs to do the deal with the provision that if Brigham wasn't healthy, the Cubs could take Loux instead after the season, plus a player to be named later. That proved to be the case. Brigham came down with an elbow problem, the Cubs asked to redo the deal and the Rangers still owe them one more player.
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130313&content_id=4…

fwiw...times CST... Saturday, March 16 vs. Kansas City 3:05 PM WGN Sunday, March 17 @Oakland 3:05 PM WGN Friday, March 22 @Milwaukee 3:05 PM WGN Saturday, March 23 vs. LA Angels 3:05 PM WGN Monday, March 25 vs. San Fran 3:05 PM CSN Thursday, March 28 vs. Seattle 2:05 PM CSN

spring training fan weakness... 8800+ in attendance for the game...down to less than 2000 by the time the 9th rolled around. welcome to LA, evidently. yeah, it's 94F outside, but it's dry Phoenix desert heat...that's practically nothing as long as you brought a hat. ...and the cubs are leading big going into the 9th, but who goes to ST games to see who wins/loses? a win for the team you're rooting for is just a nice bonus vs seeing the talent/kids/etc. i guess rush hour being close played a part, too...but c'mon spring training tourists...the hotel pool will still be there. cubs win 8-1...it was 6-0 going into the 9th.

USA vs DR... little delay...RAD doesn't like the mound...rakes and dirt being brought out.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk HONK honk honk HONK honk

[ ]

In reply to by 10man

i wish they'd move...there's a lot going on aside from the "it's neat/historic/nearly-last-of-it's-kind" perspective about the park...and a lot of it is negative. that said, i kinda respect the ricketts trying to make the park "work." i sure wouldn't shed a tear seeing the cubs move to a new park, though.

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).