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

Golden to Kane County as Cubs Edge A's at Fitch Park

Shawon Dunston Jr and Brad Zapenas collected three hits a piece, Francisco Sanchez stroked a two-run single and a double, and Loiger Padron tossed three innings of one-hit shutout ball, as the Cubs edged the Athletics 4-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Fitch Park Field #4 in Mesa, AZ

The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning contest so that all of the A's and Cubs pitchers who were scheduled to throw today could get their work. 

In EXST Cubs roster news, OF Reggie Golden has been promoted to Kane County. 

The Cubs 2010 2nd round draft pick out of Wetumpka, AL, Golden suffered two torn knee ligaments while running the bases as a member of the Peoria Chiefs in April 2012, and missed the balance of the 2012 season. He looked rusty at Minor League Camp this past March, and so he was left behind at Extended Spring Training to get into better playing shape. 

Golden was mired in a 1-22 slump through his first 11 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, but turned things around beginning on April 30th. He ended up hitting 250/384/400 in 24 Cactus League EXST games (73 PA), with four doubles, one triple, one HR & 12 RBI, 12/19 BB/K, and two SB (no CS), but he was especially hot over his last ten games (35 PA), hitting 400/486/533 with two doubles, a triple, and eight RBI over that span.   

Also, RHRP Larry Suarez has been moved-up to Daytona.

In five Cactus League EXST games (7.0 IP), Suarez allowed one run (earned) on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts (1.29 ERA & 1.00 WHIP). Suarez struggled to throw strikes in Minor League Camp, and was left behind at Extended Spring Training to build up arm strength and work on his mechanics.

Now 23, the 6'4 270 Suarez was signed as a 16-year old "bonus baby" out of Venezuela on July 2, 2006 (the first day of the 2006 International Signing Period). He has occasionally shown flashes of talent (he was the closer for a while at Peoria last season), but has mostly been a disapointment. He is eligible to be a Rule 55 minor league free-agent (AKA "six-year free-agent") post-2013 if he is not added to the Cubs 40-man roster or agrees to a 2014 minor league successor contract by the 5th day following the conclusion of the 2013 World Series.   

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



CUBS LINEUP:
1. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH #1: 3-5 (1B, 3-U, 1B, K, 1B, R)
2a. Alberto Mineo, C: 1-3 (1B, K, K, R)
2b. Wilfredo Petit, C: 0-2 (F-8, 4-6-3 DP)
3. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 1-4 (1B, K, F-9, 5-3)
4. Steve Clevenger, 1B-DH: 1-3 (BB, F-7, 1B, F-7)
5. Yasiel Balaguert, RF: 0-4 (L-8, 6-3, F-9, 6-3)
6. Brad Zapenas, 2B: 3-4 (1B, 1B, 1B, K, R, RBI)
7. Jose Dore, LF: 1-4 (4-6-3 DP, 2B, P-6, 4-1, R)
8. Mark Malave, 3B: 0-4 (K, K, L-6, K)
9. Francisco Sanchez, SS: 2-4 (P-3, 1B, 2B, K, 2 RBI, PO)
10a. SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
10b. Xavier Batista, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Loiger Padron: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 41 pitches (23 strikes), 3/5 GO/FO
2. Alexander Santana: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 44 pitches (27 strikes), 5/1 GO/FO
3. Matt Iannazzo: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 37 pitches (20 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO
4. Tyler Bremer: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 8 pitches (6 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
5. Angel Mejias: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 19 pitches (11 strikes), 1/1 GO/GO
 
CUBS ERRORS: NONE

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Alberto Mineo: 1-2 CS

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:
LF Jose Dore - runner thrown out 7-2 attempting to score from 2nd base on two-out single

ATTENDANCE: 7

WEATHER: Mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 90's



   

Comments

lame... "Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat #Cubs Vizcaino underwent debridement on right elbow. Had some discomfort. Won't pick up a bb for 6 weeks. Ligaments are good"

rain delay....lame... bottom 3rd, man on 1st, 1 out...ejax pitching well.

tb sends down odor...c.archer might get called up soon (maybe a stop-gap reliever until needed) 50ip 50h 23bb 52k 3.96era in 10 AAA starts on the season.

With the number two pick are the Cub's facing a kind of Seaver/Schmidt choice people imagined for the Prior/Teixeira draft?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

It is unlikely, but it depends on the offers they receive. I am beginning to lean towards keeping him as: (i) I don't expect a pile of prospects in return, (ii) I think the contract will be shorter, and (iii) you can't have enough front line starters.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

my feeling is that Garza's asking price and Cubs idea of fair value for Garza are nowhere close or he would have signed last year.

after seeing Anibal Sanchez's contract, Garza would be wise to test the market...the only way I seem him staying is if draft pick compensation scares other team's away.

Carrie Muskat‏@CarrieMuskat3m #Cubs Fujikawa to undergo Tommy John surgery on right arm. Has not set day for surgery or picked doctor. He's done for the season

So when is Lim going to be ready again? Who throws the hardest in the minors right now at AA or above? Tony Zych has not had a strong season as far as I can tell. How far away is he? It's not like Fuji was pitching reliable ball. Still this is just one more contract to chalk up as Cubbery.

Fujikawa to have TJS according to rotowire. Edit - Looks like I was a bit late on the post here.

The Fujikawa thing is one of the reasons I don't like the idea of massive free agent contracts for pitchers. In his case, it seemed like a reasonable gamble, since for one thing it doesn't qualify as massive in today's market, but I'd be awfully careful about extending, say, Garza, or hitting up the free agent market for an ace. A Sherpamardza contract extension is really an interesting predicament. At times, this guy seems like he could be an extremely dominating pitcher, but as of yet he still hasn't justified a mega deal. It'll be interesting to see how Theocorp plays that one.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

DBacks, @Angels, Pirates, Reds are next 4 opponents...wouldn't expect the record to improve much.

gets easier after that @Mets, @ Cardinals, vs. Astros, @ Brewers, @ Seattle before another tough stretch before the ASB (@ A's, vs Pirates, vs. Angels, vs. Cardinals)

barring some minor miracle comeback to .500, would expect the selling to start sometime after the break (can't begin soon enough for me, hopefully after the draft).

I generally don't mind Dan Plesac most of the time, but last night he said Navarro was the first Cub to hit three HR since Merv Rettemund. And that idiot Greg Amsinger didn't even correct him.

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).