Cubs MLB Roster

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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, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* 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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Venezuelan Trio Plus Alamo Too Much for A's

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Arnaldo Calero (solo HR, two walks, and an HBP) reached base four times, Gleyber Torres (two walks and an RBI single), Bryant Flete (RBI triple, RBI double, and a single), and Tyler Alamo (RBI single, a walk, and an HBP) reached base three times a piece, and the foursome combined to collect five RBI and score five runs, leading the Cubs to an 8-5 victory over the Athletics in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #2 (AKA "Connie Mack Field") at the Papago Baseball Complex in Phoenix, AZ.

Seongmin Kim belted a bases-clearing three-run double for the A's. 

Tennessee Smokies RHP Matt Loosen (on the Restricted List since 5/22 and hasn't pitched since 5/17) got the start for the Cubs today and worked 3.2 IP (69 pitches), allowing three runs (all ER) on two hits and four walks. He retired 11 of the first 13 men he faced before running out of gas (temperature 100+) in the bottom of the 4th.

RHP Trey Lang (Cubs 2012 6th round draft pick - Gateway CC) walked four consecutive batters in the bottom of the 7th before being relieved. Lang has now appeared in 11 Cactus League EXST games so far in 2014... COMBINED LINE: 16.1 IP, 23 H, 18 R (17 ER), 21 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP, 8 WP, 314 pitches (49% strikes), 9.37 ERA, 2.69 WHIP, .338 OppBA. 

In 18 Cactus League EXST games (55 PA), Cubs infielder Bryant Flete is hitting a robust 372/491/442, with one double and one triple, 11/10 BB/K, 8 RUNS, 9 RBI, and two SB (two CS), and has committed four errors (two at SS and two at 2B). The 21-year old Venezuelan has played both 2B and SS at EXST (although 2B is his best position), and he presently leads the team in both AVG and OBP (minimum 48 PA to qualify). So don't be too surprised if Flete wins a spot on the Boise Hawks Opening Day roster, especially if the Cubs opt to keep 17-year old SS Gleyber Torres in Mesa (AZL Cubs) for the summer. 

Meanwhile, Torres is hitting a very respectable 272/374/359 in 27 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (108 PA), with 13/20 BB/K, four doubles, two triples, two SB (two CS and two  PO), 12 RUNS, and 10 RBI, but he has committed 11 errors. 

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):
CUBS LINEUP:
1. Gleyber Torres, SS: 1-3 (BB, K, 5-4 FC, 1B, BB, R, RBI)
2. Bryant Flete, 2B: 3-5 (3B, 6-3, 2B, 1B, K, R, 2 RBI)
3. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-4 (L-8 SF, E-5, K, 6-4 FC, F-8, R, RBI)
4. Tyler Alamo, C: 1-2 (BB, 1B, 4-3, HBP, R, RBI)
5. Mark Malave, DH #1: 1-4 (F-9, 2B, F-8, K, RBI)
6. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-4 (1B, P-3, 4-3, K)
7. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-3 ((K, K, E-5, 5-3, R)
8. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 2-4 (F-8, F-8, 1B, 1B)
9. Eufran Vargas, DH #2: 0-3 (K, BB, 6-4-3 DP, 6-4 FC, R)
10. Arnaldo Calero, LF: 1-1 (HR, HBP, BB, BB, 2 R, RBI)
  
CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Matt Loosen: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 4 K, 2/5 GO/FO, 69 pitches (40 strikes)
2. Hector Perez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/4 GO/FO, 20 pitches (13 strikes)
3. Trey Lang: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 0/1 GO/FO, 27 pitches (8 strikes)
4. Francisco Carrillo: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 34 pitches (25 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 2
3B Adonis Paula - E-5 (throwing error on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd base)
SS Gleyber Torres - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

ATTENDANCE: 18

WEATHER: Mostly sunny and a bit breezy with temperatures 100+

Tags
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Trey Lang
Gleyber Torres
Bryant Flete
Tyler Alamo
Arnaldo alero
Matt Loosen

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 05:34 pm

INTRASQUAD GAME AT RIVERVIEW PARK THIS MORNING:

Josh Conway and Ryan McNeil threw two innings a piece and Ben Wells (battling "Steve Blass Disease"), Jesus Castillo, and Yomar Morel threw one inning each.  

Pierce Johnson and James McDonald threw pre-game "live" BP.

Position players at Cubs Extended Spring Training have apparently been divided into two squads ("Boise" and "Mesa"), with Gary Van Tol managing Boise and Jimmy Gonzalez managing Mesa (as they will be once the short seasons start next month)...

BOISE:   
CATCHERS: Erick Castillo, Mark Malave (also 1B-3B), Justin Marra (also 1B), and Alberto Mineo (also 1B) 
INFIELDERS: Zak Blair (2B), Varonex Cuevas (SS-2B-3B), Jesse Hodges (3B), and Rony Rodriguez (1B-LF-RF)  
OUTFIELDERS: Jeffrey Baez (RF-CF), Kevin Brown (LF-RF-3B-2B-1B), Rashad Crawford (CF-LF), Shamil Ubiera (RF-CF-LF), and Oliver Zapata (LF-CF-RF)

MESA:
CATCHERS: Tyler Alamo (also 1B), Antonio Valerio, and Eufran Vargas
INFIELDERS: Roney Alcala (1B-3B), Bryant Flete (2B-SS), Dalfis Ortiz (2B-3B), Adonis Paula (3B), and Gleyber Torres (SS)  
OUTFIELDERS: Charcer Burks (CF-LF), Arnaldo Calero (LF-CF-RF), Eloy Jimenez (RF), and Ricardo Marcano (LF-RF-1B)

Which pitchers go where will be decided next week, and even the position player assignments in evidence today are fluid and are subject to change at any time.

With the Dominican Summer League (DSL) beginning play this weekend, it is possible that one or more of the Dominican players presently assigned to Cubs Extended Spring Training could be moved down to the DSL Cubs after today's intrasquad game.     

SS Elliot Soto has completed his 50-game "Drug of Abuse" suspension, and so he is eligible to be reinstated from the Restricted List and can be assigned wherever the Cubs feel he might be needed (probably either Tennessee or Daytona). Or if the Cubs have no use for him, he could get released. In 18 Cactus League Extended Spring Training games (68 PA), Soto hit 333/397/417 with 6/9 BB/K, one double, two triples, 3 SB (0 CS), 12 RUNS, and 5 RBI, while playing outstanding defense at SS.   

Submitted by QuietMan on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 05:17 pm

Iowa Cubs@IowaCubs Today: Conclusion of Game 2 at 12:05. Tonight: Regularly-scheduled 9-inning game at 7:05 on CBS Sports Network. I-Cubs at Memphis. Channel 418 on my Chicago area Comcast.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 05:12 pm

HOU won their 6th in a row tonight...because baseball. cubs have a 1.5 game "lead" over ARZ for the #1 pick next season.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:11 am

What are the Cubs going to do with Bryant? He's pretty clearly not being challenged where he is. Villanueva is the 3B guy at Iowa, and although his stock is probably down a bit I doubt they've given up on him. Olt is obviously a fixture at third on the big club (insert sarcasm font and a Capt Happy smiley icon). I guess they don't want to put him in the outfield yet because they don't want to throw off that rhythm he's got going. It's an interesting dilemma.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:54 pm

Can somebody tell me if it is weird/ a warning sign that Carlos Rodon tends to hyper-extend his front knee as he finishes his delivery? Because that seems weird to me. "He finishes upright in his follow-through, though his linear energy appears to hit an invisible wall immediately after release point, suggesting that he has room for improvement during the late phases of his delivery." <--Yup. Because he's driving his front heel into the ground and stopping all his weight with a locked front knee. Seriously, this is weird, right?

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:21 pm

it's part of his command/control. there's been efforts to smooth it out, but it hasn't stuck. part of his value is his command/control and i don't know if it's comfort, a desire to not try to "fix what not's broken," or if efforts to smooth out his end-delivery affected his command/control and it is keeping him from improving that end-delivery. ...and though it has a whole lot of nothing to do with his delivery...i gotta say, he's got a sweeeeeet slider complimenting the fastball he can change speed on. he's supposedly got a kickass changeup, but he so rarely has to actually use it because the FB/slider combo gets it done at the college level.

[ ]

Submitted by fullykräusened on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:29 pm

I understand the organization wants Bryant to learn to deal with the grind of a pro season, to cut down on the K's, and to improve his defense at 3b, but his AA numbers are just nuts. He's leading the league in just about everything, and his SLG is 150 points higher than the #2 guy. I looked at his splits for any red flags, and across the board-- day/night, home/road, bases empty/runners on, lefty pitcher/righty pitcher-- his numbers are pretty much the same. Saving the best for last. Last ten games: .484/.610/1.097. Might we say he's shown he can handle the Southern League? I would be surprised if the Cubs don't promote him in June, and wouldn't be surprised if they left him at third base. That would suck for Christian Villanueva, but it's a harsh business. Depending on how the Olt/Baez/Alcantara situation shakes out, Bryant might very well end up in the outfield, but I would think a position change would wait till spring training and then a stint at Iowa in 2015 up to the magic service time date. Could be a fun road trip to Des Moines in July.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:12 pm

BP writeup on 10 prospects from 5-27-14...
Albert Almora, CF, Cubs (High-A Daytona) After taking in Daytona's series against Bradenton, I came away impressed with Almora—even though he didn't rake like he has lately, there was still plenty to like. At the plate he's patiently aggressive: Almora knows where he wants the ball and when he sees a pitch in his zone he lets his bat eat. The bat speed is above-average and his swing gets into the zone quickly and stays level. There aren’t a lot of moving parts before the swing. His stance is open and sports excellent balance. His hands and head are very quiet throughout the entire swing. His pitch recognition skills are advanced. This kid is able to recognize spin quickly, which allows him to make some very nice in-bat adjustments. Throughout the entire series he only had one bad at-bat, which came against another top prospect, Tyler Glasnow. Almora chased three elevated fastballs at the letters or higher—pitches he had no shot at catching up to. It was rare to see him get that aggressive at pitches out of his zone. He's got an athletic frame that has room to add more muscle. He is an average runner and this has some questioning his future ability to stay in center. From what I saw, I think there is a legit chance he can stick there. What he lacks in natural speed, he makes up for with excellent reads off the bat and sound routes to the ball. There were a few balls smoked into the gaps that he was able to cut off, holding the batter to long singles. Almora's arm also impressed. He unleashed an absolute laser from the right center gap on a line to home plate. His release was quick and the throw was not only of the plus variety, but accurate too. Overall, he's a fun kid to watch. –Chris King
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23694

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 05/30/2014 - 05:33 pm

Marcus Stroman scratched from Triple-A start tonight...man the rumor towers!!!!

(story says he's probably going to start for Toronto tomorrow)

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

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