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

Cubs @ Pirates: Lester vs Nicasio (Game 26)

Morning baseball! Do you like butter or jam on your sweep?
CHC (19-6): LHP Jon Lester (2-1, 1.83)
PIT (15-12): RHP Juan Nicasio (3-2, 3.33)
First pitch: 11:35amCST

Lester went 7 innings of one-run ball against Atlanta on Friday but took a no-decision in a game the Cubs went on to win 6-1. He struck out 10 and walked 2. In three games against the Pirates last year, Lester went 2-1 with a 1.57. Joyce is 4-11 with 2 HR against him. McCutchen is 1-13.

Nicasio beat the Reds his last time out (7 IP, 0 ER, 8 Ks, 1 BB). He was 1-3 with a 1.56 with the Dodgers last year, with all but one of his 53 appearances out of the pen. The Cubs are 16-58 (.276) against him. Heyward is 6-16. Ross is 2-7.

Szczur ended up going on the DL with a strained right hamstring. Villanueva was put on the 60-day DL to make room for Kalish, who got the call. It sounds like Heyward will avoid a DL stint for his wrist, but he might be out for a few more days.

After last night's clinic/performance and the lefty Lester on the mound against Pittsburgh's right-hitting line-up, we should expect to see Baez at 3rd again. The more I see of him there, the better Bryant looks in the OF.

After the game, it’s back to Chicago to open a 10-game homestand against the Nationals, Padres, and these Pirates. Ross (3-0, 0.79) vs Hendricks (1-2, 3.91) tomorrow at 7:05pmCST.

Go, Cubs!

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

His story makes him someone I completely root for to succeed but it's interesting that he's not succeeding in the way anyone thought when he was just a prospect. Great defense and contact instead of power. I think failing so glaringly and getting sent back down might have been the best thing for him and his ego. He still swings at too many balls out of the strike zone but he's making a lot more contact on them which I think is helped by the less violent swing. So we might not get all the HRs we were expecting but I'll gladly take what he's giving.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Not just Maddon, but the organization as a whole. If the rumors are to be believed, they did a good job of letting Baez learn that he needed to change his approach, and Baez has done a good job listening to their instructions an adapting. Hopefully the same is true of Alomar, who is ripping up AAA. Previous management teams haven't been as good at this (e.g. Corey Patterson).

Man, this team makes you greedy. Going into Pittsburgh -- with Cole vs. Hammel Game 1 -- I was hoping for 2 out of 3. After winning the first 2 games 14-3, I now want a sweep. Same thing happened in STL. Very, very fun.

Having been a mediocre HS player, I would think at a professional level - and in their 20's - doesn't it sound actually FUN to have a chance to play different positions in a 162-Game, uber-long season? It has to take some of the monotony out of the job and keep you on your toes. In fact, the best manufacturing floor job satisfaction training theories include job rotation as a way to improve employee satisfaction. I hope Maddon can keep it going.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I think while I get what you're saying with moving around a lot of baseball is very rhythm based and for many players moving around a lot could disrupt that. It's the same reason many players aren't cut out for phing or dhing since they need to be in the rhythm of the game to hit. Of course then you have players like LaStella who are terrible as starters and should only PH. Really hope Madden doesn't get enthralled with him starting too much.

[ ]

In reply to by johann

The players are required to perform with minimal thinking, relying on reflex, reaction, and muscle memory (or, as you say, rhythm). I think this point of view doesn't lend itself well to changing things up. Wearing Zany suits, on the other hand, does sound like fun and definitely keeps things interesting.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Don't agree with you, but an interesting discussion. I find this thinking limiting and not in-tune with the latest brain and physiology research. The fact is we use only a tiny fraction of our capacity, and if one can increase motor function along with brain capacity you achieve greater flexibility and value of the (player) asset. For the club's and player's benefit.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

By the way in relation to the zany suits Madden was saying his other reason for forcing players to wear them in public is to cause some awkwardness and embarrassment in the players that they'd have to overcome. He said he feels this ability might help players when they screw up in the game recover more quickly. Not sure if it will but he definitely thinks about the things he does.

Wow -- no Soler today, despite begin short of OF. As Baez's star rises, Jorge's has dimmed considerably.

Brutal. Pirates load the bases with 0 outs and fail to push any runners across. After two tough games, that really has to suck the wind out of them. Man...

was the last out, bottom 6th more about Adam Warren being good or about the Pirates struggling this series? and on cue, Len and JD discuss: JD: It appears that Adam Warren is becoming Joe Maddon's favorite club. Len: You mean favorite Cub? JD: No like a favorite golf club. Len: Like Billie Baroo (then does Ted Knight/Judge Smails impersonation from Caddyshack)

Sean Rodriguez still a douche Strop quick pitches him and so he jaws with Strop and Cubs dugout. Get use to it Pauly Shore, Buccos are done

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

he's 8th in innings pitched in baseball this year and has thrown over 200 innings in 7 of the last 8 seasons. He finished 21st in MLB in IP, 9th in the NL . Plus, going to your bullpen has a much different meaning in baseball the last few years anyway...

You're looking for a one percentage increase in performance from a guy already outperforming the league by 25-30%. Might as well ask be asking Anthony Rizzo to steal more bases.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

...yet...it's a thing that would happen if there were less 4-5 out innings...like a certain 30-pitch inning he had a couple starts ago. let's not let "good enough" be a stopping point when it could be better. it's a negative aspect of his game no matter how much melt-in-your-mouth-not-your-hand sugar coating one can pour over it. this is a game of maximizing advantages and striving to prevent bad situations...no matter how much you come out on the other side smelling like roses. there is no strategic value or advantage to what is happening with this situation. at best he's playing with worse odds he creates himself, at worst he pays for those skewed odds, and stuck up in the middle there's other aspects like increased pitch counts. there's further burden given that he needs his own D-heavy/arm-steady catcher to make up for his short-comings. there's a lot going on here.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

OMG, he had a tough inning of his own doing!!! If only he walked all those hitters on base instead, we could be spared your delusions of 250 IP and consecutive CY Young awards.

There's a little going on here, that is being made into a lot by you.

Didn't WISCGRAD already debunk all this last year, certainly ignored by you, but I believe he went through every instance a runner was on base against Lester and how little it ended up mattering. And unlike you, I do not care to repeat myself ad nauseum.

And like every team, literally every team I believe carries a defensive minded catcher. (Someone will prove this wrong, but I'm sure it's over 95%).

 

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

*facepalm* nevermind. i've seen this film before, it sucked. let's pretend what you just posted had a damn thing to do with what i posted. let's pretend this rarely happens rather than happening many times a season. let's also pretend that montero/contreras and who's going to catch lester isn't a 2017 thing that might become an actual problem if contreras don't do some serious work with his base runner holding abilities because lester needs his own personal catcher for a very specific reason that's lester's problem. let's also pretend odds don't matter as long as you make it out on the good side of them...it's like arguing the positive aspect of the wins stat.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

CRUNCH: It is obvious that you never see the silver lining, are uninterested in the huge preponderence of positives that typically outweigh your nitpick of the post by like a 10:1 margin. You cared not about Lester's 10 K's the last start compared to your contrarian view of his mortal mistake (which didn't matter) of not getting the ball out of his glove. Today you go on about his glove out (which he did last year) and same results. And, you never seem to mention first that he pitched really well - shutout a team with nearly every player batting over .300. You just can't fucking let go that this dude has psych issues that I mentioned he has been trying to get help with. It IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE SO YOU CAN *FACEPALM* YOURSELF FOREVER. Its fucking enough already. Start talking about something else already. Like maybe your useless play by play that we can all see in real time anyway. That should keep you busy and cut down on your redundancy. On your redendancy. Your redundancy. On your redundancy. Let me agree with you: Lester''s fielding psychological problem may cause him to lose a game now and then. But taken as a whole, he's a fucking awsome pitcher and yhe best lefty the Cubs have had in a long time.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

once again, ONCE AGAIN...this isn't even a "thing" i started...i just commented on someone else "starting it." it's a message board. even if i did "start it" people shouldn't give a shit unless they have something to bring to the table...even if it's just a joke. yes, i see a silver lining...i also see problems. i commented on both. how about more posts complaining about things i say. TCR could use more of that. btw, watch out jacos, e-man don't need your useless play by play that you polluted this thread with. he might write a post about how much your posts hurt his feelies and then your feelies will get hurt and we'll all need therapy to get over it. do you think we're made of money jacos? do you think we can all afford therapy? fucking drop this shit jacos. you are literally worse than hitler. ow...my feelies.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Yikes -- I was off the site for a short while and it blew up. Gentlemen -- it is apparent that Lester has a weakness in his game. Everybody knows about it. He has, apparently, tried to work on it, but without success. Fortunately, he is talented enough that he is able to largely overcome his shortcoming. I am amazed that other teams don't try to bunt on him, but, as has been said, bunting is not a skill many players have.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

@billybucks you speak the truth and it's precisely what me and others have been saying for over a year. It's an unfortunate hitch in his game, one that seems correctable, but so far has not been corrected. Also a hitch that is going over 3 seasons now and no one has been able to truly exploit in any meaningful way (except sort of the Royals in that Wild Card game although they stole plenty of bases off the other pitchers in that game and the rest of the playoff teams the rest of that run). I think it's safe to say, much like Maddux ignoring baserunners, that it's just not detrimental to Lester's success albeit occasionally frustrating to fans.

sadly crunch believes this is what he's also been saying so, but is either incapable of getting across because he lacks effective communication skills or we're all just dumb and don't understand him. 

If it's the latter, I leave you with this..."the burden's on the writer to be clear and convincing, not on the reader to be clearly convinced."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Man, with a 20-6 record, it doesn't seem right to complain about any aspect of this team. What are you expecting? A 26-0 record? I'm not saying that the Cubs are above critique, but I am saying any problems that might exist don't appear to be a major hindrance at the moment. To quote a great philosopher "numbers don't lie, check the scoreboard."

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

not sure it could be any better, but he gives up a lot on defense...so who knows? Soler's peripherals and inevitable warm weather makes me think he'll get it going soon. Sadly, the D will still suck.

Baez at 3B with Bryant in OF is looking more and more like the lineup we'll see in Sept/Oct, but again, who knows? I'm not too overwhelmed by Baez's AB's, still looks to be swinging out his ass, but he seems to be making more contact. But a .385 BABIP will not hold...although he should be launching a few more...but damn that D.

Cubs Foe Tomorrow - The Cubs are facing young Joe Ross tomorrow night for the Nats. He has an ERA+ of 542. NOT a typo. I don't think I have seen that recently...

Interesting that Hendricks is going tomorrow -- so, he wasn't really "skipped", just moved back a few days so Jake and Lester could deal against the Pirates. I'm OK with that.

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).