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

Angel Miscues Help Cubs Rally for Victory

Roney Alcala singled twice, doubled, stole a base, and scored two runs, and Antonio Valerio singled twice, doubled, and collected two RBI, as the Cubs rallied for three runs in the 9th and defeated the Angels 5-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Diablo Park Field #7 in Tempe, AZ.


The two teams combined to commit nine errors, including four by Angel SS Franklin Torres.

Eloy Jimenez played RF for the first time in about a month. He has been nursing a sore right arm that has not prevented him from hitting but has kept him from throwing.

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Charcer Burks, CF: 1-5 (K, 5-3, 1B, F-7, K, SB)
2a. Kevin Brown, 3B: 1-3 (4-3, 2B, K, RBI)
2b. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-1 (HBP, E-1, R)
3. Shamil Ubiera, LF: 1-5 (1B, 6-3, P-6, P-5, K+WP, R)
4a. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-2 (5-4 FC, E-6, R)
4b. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 0-3 (K, 4-3, 3-U)
5. Antonio Valerio, DH: 3-5 (K, 2B, E-6, 1B, 1B, 2 RBI)
6. Gleyber Torres, SS: 1-5 (1-3, 6-3, 1B, 5-4 FC, E-6)
7a. Erick Castillo, C: 0-2 (F-8, 3-U)
7b. Mark Malave, PH-C: 0-2 (K, E-6, BB, CS)
8. Varonex Cuevas, 2B: 0-4 (F-8, F-7, P-6, K)
9. Roney Alcala, 1B: 3-4 (1B, 3-U, 2B, 1B, 2 R, SB)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Tyler Ihrig: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 51 pitches (32 strikes)
2. Hector Perez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 3/1 GO/FO, 23 pitches (16 strikes)
3. Andin Diaz: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 27 pitches (17 strikes)
4. Jasvir Rakkar: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 9 pitches (6 strikes)
5. Francisco Carrillo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 16 pitches (9 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 4
1. P Tyler Ihrig - E-1 (errant throw on attempted pick-off at 1st base allowed runner to advance to 3rd base)
2. P Tyler Ihrig - E-1 (errant throw on attempted pick-off at 2nd base allowed runner to score unearned run)
3. SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base - eventually scored unearned run)
4. LF Shamil Ubiera - E-7 (dropped pop fly allowed batter to reach 2nd base and runner at 2nd base to score)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Erick Castillo: 0-3 CS, 1 PO

ATTENDANCE: 9

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80's  

Comments

I know Castro committed an error today - and I didn't see it but I'm sure it was dumb, but I don't like it when "closers" walk batters.

Bears schedule

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2014/REG/BEARS

vs. Buffalo, @ 49ers, @ Jets, vs. Packers, @ Panthers, @ Falcons, vs. Dolphins, @ Patriots, Bye, @ Packers, vs. Vikings, vs. Buccaneers, @ Lions, vs. Cowboys, vs. Saints, vs. Lions, @ Vikings

13-3 baby!!!

Jedi (really Theo) is gonna take a pitcher at No. 4 right? Given this draft is pitcher-heavy, and the relative lack of arms in our system compared with our positional depth, this seems pretty obvious. One of Hoffman, Beede, Rodon, Aiken, Kolek is gonna be there. John Manuel: We thought the same thing last year, when the Cubs picked No. 2 overall, but they wound up going with a hitter in Kris Bryant. That said, there is not a Bryant in this draft, and this pitcher class is stronger than it was last year. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod were all in town last week to see both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Rodon, so both are in play, as potentially are Aiken and Kolek as you said. I can see Aaron Nola being in that mix, though he’s more in the Mike Leake mold, and I believe Kyle Freeland, Erick Fedde and Brandon Finnegan also could be in that mix at No. 4. None of those guys would stun me at No. 4, though I would at this point be a bit surprised by Beede at that spot. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-update-chat-with-john…

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

keithlaw‏@keithlaw ECU right hander Jeff Hoffman will miss at least his next two starts after experiencing arm soreness during a side session yesterday. Kiley McDaniel‏@kileymcd As it's explained to me this is proactive measure to deal w/soreness & not obscuring serious injury. Expectation is JH is fine in a few wks.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

From what I have heard, McLeod runs the draft with supervision from Hoyer, but Epstein does not sit in on most of the draft, and never over rules either Hoyer or McLeod. While at Boston, Epstein was strongly against drafting Bucholtz, and was angry when Hoyer insisted on picking him, calling him a crazy SOB. Even then, he did not over rule Hoyer, and later, when Bucholtz led them to a World Series win, told him that he was glad he was a crazy SOB. I think there are very few Owners/Presidents that over rule the experts they hire. Those that do are notorious, and usually not very successful.

minors..

C. Black goes 6 IP, 8 K, 3 BB, 0 H for Smokies in the win

Zastryzny goes 4.2 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 7 H, 4 ER for Daytona in loss, Amaya with a 3/5 day and a SB

Skulina goes 4.1 IP, 4 BB, 2 K, 3 ER, 6 H in the Kane County win, Dunston Jr. with a HR

Cubs sent Parker down and brought up Neil Ramirez in his place. Parker didn't show Renteria much in the spring (1.78 WHIP). They also brought up Rosscup instead of another outfielder to replace Ruggiano. They needed a lefty arm. I thought Russell was a mess yesterday, giving up the tying run on a fastball--not what he was called to the mound to throw. But his breaking stuff had no break. Whatever that dead arm business was in the spring, it's still a problem. Vitters could do a decent Ruggiano imitation but after a decent start he's been slumping. Maybe later.

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).