Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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, and eight players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, four players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Richard Lovelady
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Pete Crow-Armstrong 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 8 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2
* Cody Bellinger, OF  
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 4
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P
* Jordan Wicks, P    

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs @ Padres (Games 10-12)

Submitted by Charlie on

The Cubs took two of three against the Dodgers. Although they were held in check by Yamamoto, the offense was able to break through against the youngsters Miller and Stone along with the Dodger's relief corps. The Cubs begin a West Coast road trip with a three game series in San Diego. See below for matchups. 

 



Game 10, Monday, April 8, 8:40 pm central
CHC: RHP Javier Assad (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
SDP: RHP Yu Darvish (0-1, 2.30 ERA) 

Assad delivered six scoreless innings and struck out five Rockies in his first start. The Cubs could use another of those after losing Imanaga to the rain delay Sunday and going into a bullpen day on Tuesday. 

Darvish has allowed four earned runs in 15.2 innings. He's struck out 16 batters in three starts and walked five. The righty has maintained his velocity well, which is good news for the Padres; they have the thirty-seven year old under contract through 2028. Having not kept track of Yu since the Cubs traded him away, I can only assume he throws at least 13 distinct pitches by now. 

 



Game 11, Tuesday, April 9, 9:05 pm central
CHC: RHP Ben Brown / bullpen day
SDP: RHP Joe Musgrove (1-1, 6.28 ERA) 

Last time through the pitching rotation, the Cubs gave Luke Little the opener role and the handed things over to Ben Brown. He struck out five in four innings, allowed one earned run, and hasn't pitched since (as of writint this, prior to the Monday game). This game likely belongs to Brown and an assortment of relievers. Shota Imanaga threw only 43 pitches before Sunday's game entered a delay--but is also new to the league and to the five-pitcher rotation. Would the Cubs take a chance so early in the season? 

Musgrove improved in his third start following two in which he was knocked around by the Dodgers and then the Giants. He collected a win after completing six innings and allowing the Pirates one earned run. 
 


Game 12, Wednesday, April 10, 5:40 pm central
CHC: RHP Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 11.74 ERA)
SDP: RHP Dylan Cease (0-1, 3.38 ERA) 

Hendricks has allowed five earned runs in each of his starts so far. He was bailed out last time by the Cubs hitter, who chased the Dodger's Bobby Miller in the second inning.

The Padres traded for Cease only two weeks before the season started. This came well after they had made the mammoth decision to send Juan Soto to the Yankees. He's made two starts for them so far, striking out thirteen and allowing four earned runs in 10.2 innings pitched.
 

 

The Cubs will be off on Thursday and resume the road trip in Seattle this weekend.

Tags
2024 Cubs
2024 Series Thread
Ben Brown
San Diego Padres

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 04:40 pm

one thing that's been a constant for counsell is he's yet to be "early" posting a lineup.  almost every game this season he's been the last manager to make his lineup public before game time.

also, taillon's next rehab start will be at AAA.

Submitted by TarzanJoeWallis on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 04:48 pm

Been watching the Reds/ Brewers game while awaiting the start of the Cubs. Several takeaways:

  1. The Reds are a good, young hustling team. Definitely a candidate for the division.
  2. Graham Ashcraft is a nasty good pitcher. Hits 100 and everything moves. Making good Brewers hitters look silly.
  3. Rhys Hoskins is not just bad at first base but terrible! Game changing terrible. Fourth inning and he’s missed at least four plays a better first baseman could have made. Cubs dodged the bullet on this one.

[ ]

Submitted by Dolorous Jon Lester on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 04:18 pm

The Reds are sneaky good at developing hitters. Over the last 10-15 years they’ve produced a bunch of hitters who have gone on to solid careers. Pitching development has killed them.

Guys like Ashcraft and Lodolo might change that narrative over the next handful of years.

Submitted by Childersb3 on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 04:32 pm

Merryweather diagnosed with rib stress fracture in his back. Shut down for four weeks. 

So, a 60IL stint might be coming, but only if Jed wants to add Brewer, Edwards or someone from outside the org.

AZ Phil said Brewer would be the first RP to be added. This probably happens. No nostalgia pick for Carl, please. He has to be the best option.

I wonder if Ben Brown gets the nod to the Bullpen when Tallion returns? 

 

Submitted by Childersb3 on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 04:46 pm

Folks connected to Kohl Franklin in his home state of OK are saying he's headed to Iowa.

That's interesting. He was really solid in his 4 IP the other day

I guess Jed needs to know what he has in Kohl. And AAA hitters are better on average than AA hitters.  

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/10/2024 - 04:15 pm

proposal...

put hendricks in the pen and let's not revisit the decision, like ever.

i expect he'll get tons of chances before that happens, and i hope he turns it around...but i'm expecting nothing but more pain.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/10/2024 - 04:18 pm

it takes special talent to come into a game with an 11.74 ERA, pitch 5+ innings, and raise your ERA.

26 hits, 5 HR, in 12.2ip this season over 3 appearances.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:20 am

Realistically, he's got at least until Steele and Taillon are back. Then it's a question of whether Brown sticks around or Horton is ready quickly enough to push him out of the rotation. I don't think Assad or Wesneski are likely to push him out this year unless Hendricks really remains a negative WAR starter. 

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:52 am

When Taillon comes back, I'm sure the standard belief is Brown goes to Iowa or the Bullpen. If Brown is better than Palencia or Cuas, then let him stay and get MLB hitters out.

But, if Hendricks' Sinker continues to not induce groundballs, then he needs to go to the IL and Taillon replaces him.

When Steele comes back we take a look at how Assad and Brown are doing. I think those two are going to be fine. Assad has always produced and gone under the radar doing so. 
He's better than Hendricks. He was just as good as Kyle last year, if not better in every stat.

Kyle has faced three good lineups to start the year, so he can do better for sure. I simply don't see the same action on his pitches. Hitters see his pitches way too easily nowadays.

Counsell has no loyalty to Hendricks. He wasn't a part of the 2015-2020 crew. I'm sure he respects Kyle's career, but Counsell isn't keeping him out there for nostalgia. He's used to having SP with "stuff". He might be keeping him out there for 16.5million other reasons, but that's sunk cost (just like Heyward). Kyle goes to the IL for a short while, and we see how the younger guys pitch. 

Submitted by First.Pitch.120 on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:38 pm

April Kyle = :0(                              

..............

FWIW... Over his career, Kyle Hendrick's splits are by far the worst in the month of April (like 30% worse).  Even in 2015-2016-2017 his April ERA was in the 4.50 range.   

 

So while I too am concerned, we should keep that in mind when looking at the amount of leash he is given.  

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:03 pm

All fair points. And I freely admit that TX, LAD and SD are really good lineups.
But his stuff just isn't moving like it used too.
His velos are about the same, but the movement isn't enough to make guys roll over and hit ground balls.
His Sinker BAve last year was .318.
I bet it's at least that now.
If he Sinker isn't working, hitters get to wait for the Ch/Up.
He has to get groundball outs somehow.
Assad, Wicks and Brown can help the Cubs now. It won't all be smooth. They're not elite guys now.  But Hendricks is a liability now. Steele, Imanaga, Taillon, Assad, Wicks and Brown are the rotation. Smyly is fine in the pen. He's useful as a long guy.

[ ]

Submitted by First.Pitch.120 on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:25 pm

Yeah, all things & injuries being equal I like the five you named.  However, I do really value having 2 long guys in the pen (Smyly + Assad/Brown).  I think the flexibility & reduced stress on the high leverage guys are super useful.  Not everybody can swing from RP/SP smoothly, so I guess I like Assad in that role b/c I know he can do it.  

[ ]

Submitted by First.Pitch.120 on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:30 pm

Also an odd aberration... KH has given up  7 ground ball base hits so far this year.  Would need to dig deeper, but that's a bunch. 

 

 Small sample, but his GB% through 3 games is actually very high & the Hard Hit % isn't horrible.  The 20% of Fly Balls becoming HRs is a problem.  

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:24 pm

Using the analytics of only my eyeballs--not even wearing my glasses--I have drawn the conclusion that Kyle Hendricks has been hurt badly by what baseball experts call "meatballs."

There's no question that Hendricks can't live in the middle of the zone. He just has to show whether or not he can manage to stay out of there enough of the time to be productive.

My suspicion about Assad is that he'll pay a penalty for fitting too neatly into the swing man role and will get shuffled before Hendricks unless he wildly outperforms the veteran.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:47 am

GEORGE A: As you probably recall, back in November after Stroman opted out I was hoping the Cubs would sign Yamamoto and re-sign Bellinger and Candelario, non-tender Wisdom and Madrigal, and not sign any high-priced FA relievers. I actually thought the Cubs picked up the Hendricks option in order to trade him if they were able to sign one of the noteworthy free agent pitchers (and then they signed Imanaga). So I kept waiting for the Cubs to trade Hendricks, but it looks like it's too late now...

[ ]

Submitted by TarzanJoeWallis on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:36 pm

Kind of wondering why we have so much focus on Hendricks and nothing is being said about our $25 mm man who currently sports a line of .191/2/10 with an OPS of .631? Hendricks impacts every fifth game while Bellinger, who is supposed to be the cornerstone of the offense, impacts every game. The Hendricks situation is really much less serious - he can always become the purveyor lost causes, brought in in hopeless situations or blowout wins in order to preserve the pen, or even as an opener since he seems to be ok the first time through the lineup. Bellinger, on the other hand, is a much more serious concern. He has been every bit as ineffective as Hendricks and the team is far more reliant on him to perform. Yes, it’s early in the season and Bellinger could break out of it. Then again, as ineffective as he’s looked, so could Hendricks - he’s done it before.

[ ]

Submitted by TarzanJoeWallis on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:47 pm

Lets’s not forget that Bellinger is one year removed from two plus years of performance that looked a lot like what he looks like right now. As I mentioned, there are several answers for Hendricks. I think as the finest armchair GM’s in the sport we need to turn our hand wringing more in the direction of Bellinger and what we do if we get the 2021/2022 of him as was  always a possibility when we signed him.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:59 pm

bellinger looks good swinging a bat. 

he will never be worth his current paycheck, but if his market was 20-25m rather than 25-30m he would have been courted by teams other than the cubs, even with the loss of a draft pick for other teams on the table.  part of the big money is the short risk of having the loot tied up.  the cubs had it to spend in the window of the contract he signed, even if he sticks around all 3 years.

hendricks can't throw his curve worth a damn anymore.  he couldn't last year, either.

if the ball is hit hard enough to go past nico/swanson and whoever's playing 1st/3rd, there's going to be a lot more of this.  great defense bailed him out last year and it will have to bail him out this year.  if the hits are hit "where they aint"...or 10000mph through the infield....we're going to see more pain.  hendricks entire value is based on his health, luck of where the ball is hit, and the quality of defense behind him while he throws his fastball and change.

[ ]

Submitted by TarzanJoeWallis on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:10 pm

Maybe we’re watching a different Bellinger. To me it looks like he’s alternately flailing at the ball or severely undercutting it.

I understand that Hendricks isn’t pitching effectively and very likely won’t regain form. Fine, let’s write him off. It’s not a good situation but not season threatening. Throw him on the DL, bury him in the bullpen, spot start him, whatever. There are plenty of young arms to be a fifth starter.

If Bellinger fails to regain 2023 form and reverts to 21/22 what is the answer? I can tell you that PCA and Canario look nowhere near ready offensively.

[ ]

Submitted by Bill on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:38 pm

Having it to spend does not mean having it to piss away.  Signing him for one year could be justified, but giving him three years with opt outs merely means that you might win a little in the short run, but are very likely to suffer greatly in the long run.  Even with decent performance, there is very likely to be no place on the team for Bellinger next year.  Partly because of the other foolish move by the Cubs, the extension of Happ through 2026 by a no-trade contract, with the strength of their minor league system being in outfielders.  In my opinion, both moves were the result of extreme pressure by the media and fans, neither of which have any reason to consider anything beyond the current year.

[ ]

Submitted by TarzanJoeWallis on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:30 pm

Well, yes. On the other hand, one does have to consider markets and that they are competing with other teams. A one year deal might not have gotten it done. There was no viable alternative plan for center field, and while the board might have noticed I’m not a fan of high priced free agents, this was a case where it was justified. Given public pressure and the agent he was dealing with, I thought Jed did a good job negotiating this contract, regardless of outcome. My hope was that Bellinger would go gangbusters this year and opt out. Frankly, I think that was probably Jed’s hope too. With him not performing there is a major hole in the offense. All we can do is hope he turns it around.

Given current markets I’m not so sure the Happ extension was such a horrible thing. Kind of meh.

The Hendricks extension was ill advised, and many contributors to this board recognized that at the time. I suspect some off the field considerations went into the decision, such as PR, 2016 sentimentality, and veteran presence/mentoring that in retrospect shouldn’t have been factors . All that said, this is by no means a make or break for the season.

The Valezquez/Cuas deal is looking increasingly toxic. Hindsight is 20/20 in this case.

[ ]

Submitted by George Altman on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:08 pm

Bellinger is the last hitter on this team I'm worried about. Same with Hoerner. Hitting is 100% different than someone asked to perform 25-30 games per year. Hendricks can't locate and his pitches don't have the same late movement thru most of his last 15 starts. Unless you're watching a different Kyle. Think about what that $15m would have offered the bullpen. 

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:36 pm

i guess since there's no immediate follow-up move they're tipping their hat to...who's getting the callup for cuas?

he's only in AA, but i wouldn't be shocked to see porter hodge...though k.thompson seems to be the most "safe" pick.

with the way counsell was trying to use cuas as a multi-inning guy, though...we might be seeing hodge if they want to go with stuff and projection over experience.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/11/2024 - 04:47 pm

CRUNCH: There's two different ways they could go. 

One way would be to recall somebody already on the 40 (like Hayden Wesneski or Keegan Thompson), and the other way would be to transfer Julian Merryweather to the 60-day IL and select Carl Edwards Jr, Colten Brewer, or Riley Thompson to the 40. 

Wesneski has been starting at AAA Iowa and hasn't pitched since Saturday, and K. Thompson has been throwing two innings per outing in relief for the I-Cubs.  

Edwards almost made the Cubs MLB Opening Day roster before opting out but then he re-signed with the Cubs last week (he walked the bases loaded in his one AAA outing last Monday so he might need more time), Brewer (who pitched very well in MLB Spring Training) has been the primary closer at AAA, and R. Thompson has been lights out throwing two or three innings at a time out of the pen for the I-Cubs (R. Thompson can be a minor league 6YFA post-2024, so the Cubs might want to at least give him a shot out of the MLB pen sometime during the season). 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:48 am

Keep in mind that pitchers who are optioned to the minors during Spring Training or on Opening Day must remain on Optional Assignment for the first 15 days of the MLB regular season (thru Thursday 4/11 in 2024) unless the pitcher is recalled to replace a pitcher who is placed on the IL (as happened when Ben Brown was recalled to replace Justin Steele and Daniel Palencia was recalled to replace Julian Merryweather). 

 

And the reason Jose Cuas was optioned on Thursday (an off day) without a corresponding roster move until the next day is because MLB clubs are permitted to have either 25 or 26 players active up until September 1st (clubs MUST have 28 players active at all times beginning on 9/1) and there is a (very slight) cost savings to go with 25 players instead of 26 players on an off day (the difference between an MLB salary versus minor league split salary).

 

Also, if he is on the MLB 26-man roster for at least 167 days in 2024 Jose Cuas is likely to accrue enough MLB Service Time  to qualify as a "Super Two" for salary arbitration post-2024, but not so likely if he is on Optional Assignment for twenty days or more.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:56 am

After a poor first outing, in his last three appearances at AAA Keegan Thompson has put up a 5.0 IP, 1 H, no runs, two BB, and six K line, and he has been throwing two or three innings at a time.

 

So I believe Keegan Thompson gets the call up, especially if the Cubs don't want to transfer Julian Merryweather to the 60-day IL until his timetable to return is more clear.   

 

Also, I suspect the Cubs would like to keep Hayden Wesneski stretched out as a SP.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 04/12/2024 - 04:46 am

friday game vs SEA is a Apple TV+ game, btw...and that means blackout for many of us, even those who pay for mlb.tv

Recent comments

  • CubbyBlue (view)

    Wow. I knew he recorded it, but never heard the Grobstein part before. I'm savoring!

     

  • crunch (view)

    bleh.

    at least MIL has lost the past 2 nights, too.

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal pinch hitting for matt mervis vs jansen?

    okay.

  • crunch (view)

    surprising amount of cubs fans at the park, too.  HR really brought them out.

  • Cubster (view)

    hmmmm... 

    4-4

    beisbol can be fun

  • crunch (view)

    4 singles and 0 walks (1 HBP) through 7 innings for cubs batters...amazing they even have 1 run.

  • crunch (view)

    nico gets his 5th error on the year...damn.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Folks, I've known Richard Lovelady since he was an 18 yr old Freshman at East Ga State College in Swainsboro, Ga.

    I was the WBB Coach at EGSC and Richard was their prize recruit from outside of Hinesville, Ga.

    My roommate was the Pitching Coach there.

    Richard showed up a skinny, loose lipped, 83mph Lefty. Pretty good basketball player actually. 

    My roommate became the head coach.

    Richard came back from a minor injury for his Sophmore year a more serious man. He hit 90mph and started mowing GA JUCO hitters down. It was really fun to watch.

    He was the first D1 signee for EGSC baseball (school had only had athletics for five yrs at that point). He went to Kennesaw St and became their closer. One yr later, he hit 100mph and KC drafted him in the 10th Rd. 

    He lost the high velo with a surgery a while back.

    It's so cool to see him in MLB. And now he's a Cub!! It's crazy to realize I actually "know" a Cub.

    He's a legit good guy.

    Easy to root for!!!

     

  • Cubster (view)

    Tim. Thanks for remembering Lee Elia Day. It will always be one of the most epic rants in all sports.  It took about 3 seconds to recognize him from your picture but I  did get it right. 

    Now that Les Grobstein is no longer with us, that might contribute to this grand piece of Cubbery fading.

    Just like fine wine, it should be savored...unedited. 40 years, wow.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Does he have any options left, Phil?

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