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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs @ Cardinals: Lester vs. Lackey (Game 164; NLDS Game 1)

Submitted by CTSteve on

Now it gets really good.

CHC: LHP Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34)
STL: RHP John Lackey (13-10, 2.77)
First pitch: 5:45pmCT

Lester finished strong, going 3-2 with a 2.36 ERA in September. He has not pitched since September 30, when he gave up 1 ER over 8 innings for the win in Cincinnati. He has a losing record against the Cardinals this year (1-3) but has pitched to a 2.59 ERA, and they are batting .216 in those games. He’s 1-0 with a 1.59 in the two starts at Busch Stadium. Overall, the Cards are 50-186 (.269) against him: Holliday is 5-9 (.556), Heyward is 10-24 (.417) with a HR, Carpenter is 4-14 (.286), and Peralta is 10-40 (.250) with 3 HR.

Lester is 6-4 with a 2.57 in the postseason. He was dominant with the Red Sox in their 2013 championship campaign, going 4-1 with a 1.56 in five games. In the AL Wild Card game last year with Oakland, he gave up 6 ER in 7.1 innings to the pennant-winning Royals.

Lackey lost in Atlanta on Sunday (4 IP, 3 ER) but had a great September (2-1, 1.78), going at least 7 innings in each of his five starts. At Busch this year, he’s 9-4 with a 1.93 ERA. He’s 2-0 with a 1.75 in three games against the Cubs this year, and they are hitting .244 in those games. Overall, the Cubs are 34-121 (.281) against him: Fowler (2-7, .286), Schwarber (no ABs), Rizzo (1-12, .083), Bryant (2-9, .222), Castro (3-12, .250), Coghlan (8-17, .471), Russell (2-7, .286), and Ross (1-3, .333).

In 18 postseason games, including two championship teams (LAA in 2002 and BOS in 2013), Lackey is 7-5 with a 3.08 ERA.

Game Two is tomorrow at 4:30pmCT: Hendricks vs. Garcia.

Go Cubs!

 

Tags
Cubs 2015 Game Thread

Comments

Submitted by Tito on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:39 am

Gordo's lede today: ST. LOUIS – Whether it’s a year early or right on time, Jon Lester’s $155 million moment arrives just after 5:45 p.m. Friday.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:25 am

I've been pretty harsh with Lester here at various times but that's how it is when you pull in that kind of money, and besides, it's not like he reads my posts or would care what I have to say if he did read them for some reason. If I was him, the first thing out of my mouth would be, what level have you played this game at, pal? Anyway, he's really looked good lately, and overall his body of work turned out pretty good, too. I'm glad his worst struggles were in April. This is such an easy team to like that I even like the overpaid free agent.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:03 pm

So, yes, I have been quoting your, "mediocre pitcher" label all year in jest - good or bad. He has been pretty filthy against the Cards, and this is the game they need to "steal". I am hoping against hope that Pedro Strop only sees the mound if the Cubs are up 8 in a game.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:34 pm

Cubs go home 1-1, with Arrieta starting game 3, I like our chances in this series. Tomorrow's pitching matchup is lousy on paper, so today is obviously crucial. Will be fun to watch. My two keys are scoring early, and keeping Lester's pitch count below 15 per inning.

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:57 pm

So Kershaw is opening the series for the Dodgers. How, then, does Greinke get the Cy Young? Not even the best pitcher on his team!

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Submitted by blockhead25 on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:15 pm

I wonder if it is about numbers specifically against the Mets. But, it could also be because Kershaw can go 9 innings everytime, while Grienke very rarely makes it through the game. They don't want to expose their weak bullpen. I have trouble getting past the extraordinary 1.66 ERA, but I don't know what the heck will happen with the Cy Young vote this year.

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:49 pm

Fowler (CF), Schwarber (RF!), Bryant (3B), Rizzo (1B), Castro (2B), Coughlan (LF), Russell (SS), Ross (C), Lester (P)

Submitted by The Joe on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:28 pm

Joe.

Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:38 pm

So all this business about Maddon being an old Cards fan and Arrieta being in Matt Carpenter's wedding... I have really strong feelings about this stuff. I'm not sure if I really enjoy it or really despise it, but I feel strongly about it...

Submitted by blockhead25 on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:47 pm

aside from one swing, this 1-0 game feels like a blow out. Still nice to know one swing can change everything. We need Rizzo and Bryant to show up.

Submitted by blockhead25 on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:15 pm

Really doesn't matter, but I was surprised to see Lester out for the 8th. Down 1-0, at 100 pitches, seemed better to give a very fresh bullpen a little work. Oh well...Throw away game, although in a 5 game series there is no luxury afforded to do that.

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:24 pm

"Strop vs. Cardinals." Seen the movie. Hated it. Not all that disappointed -- I didn't think they would beat Lackey in Game 1. Need to get the bats going against the guys with less experience -- and they hit Wacha pretty good.

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:54 pm

TBS' K Zone seems to be more harsh than the others. I wonder if MLB will ask the networks to stop using them. They just make the umps, and the game, look bad, and it only pisses off the fans.

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Submitted by blockhead25 on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:50 pm

Considering how players reacted it seemed pretty accurate high and wide (to righties), but not so accurate low and in. I thought the strike zone by the ump was awful, but it was consistent and the Cubs never adjusted. Rizzo and Bryant need to have good at bats. They are really looking outclassed in these two games.

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Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:35 pm

I think it's probably hard to adjust to an ump's zone mid-game, as least for hitters. Pitchers can locate to an ump's zone, but hitters have minimal time to react. But, whatever. Umps are going to miss calls. Let's beat up on the non-Lackey starters.

Submitted by billybucks on Fri, 10/09/2015 - 10:59 pm

Cubs 3-4-5 hitters are 0-21 so far in the post-season. Let's change that in a big effin' way tomorrow, boys.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

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