Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

S***

''His arm action's good; he's throwing free and easy...He's not close to throwing off a mound yet. There's some issues there, no question.''

No, not a reprint of a 2005 article or 2004 article or 2006 article, but rather Larry Rotschild talking about Rich Harden at the Cubs Convention on Saturday. Don't worry though, the Cubs have the spin ready.

 Cubs insiders say Harden is right on schedule toward a strong, on-time and well-conditioned start to spring training and the season.

Of course they believe that...but what about this?

But sources also confirmed Saturday that Harden has a tear in the joint, just severe enough that some players might seek surgery but slight enough to be in a range often treated effectively with a strengthening program, therapy and a well- managed work schedule.

A tear you say, never had any problems with one of those.

That's more than the Cubs let on last fall, even after the revelation that Harden had a cortisone shot for ''rotator tendinitis.''

But Harden has been working six days a week this offseason on a program that might be the most rigorous of any Cub -- and the first of his career to focus this strongly on his shoulder, team officials say. In fact, the team estimates his shoulder is stronger now than it was when he joined the team in July and started piling up 97 mph scoreless innings.

Other things the Cubs have estimated over the years: Sosa would never become a problem with the team and will be beloved by all fans, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior would pitch full seasons in 2006 and 2005, and that they'd win a World Series sometime within the last 100 years.

''I'm on a set program, and I'm not behind at all,'' Harden said. ''I'm right on schedule and feeling great. I'll be ready for the start of the season for sure. There's no doubt in my mind. Nobody has any doubts whether I'll be ready or not. I will.''

If anything, that might have been the confusion with Rothschild's comments -- that Harden isn't ready to throw from a mound by design. He's on a deliberate throwing program to ease him up to pitching condition by the end of an extra-long 2009 spring training.

They tried that shit with Mark Prior.

it didn't work.

Anyone have Kevin Towers phone number?


Dr. Hecht's medical take is below.

 

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

On Saturday, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wood's agents wanted a three-year deal and significant salary. Hendry said Wood was on the disabled list for 62 percent of the Cubs games over the last four years and that last season's blister problem "was one of the strangest injuries of all time."

Hendry said he didn't feel the length of contract that Wood's agents were seeking was fair to the team and disputed Wood's contention that he would've stayed for a one-year deal.

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

I suggested Rich Hill, Felix Pie and a few other parts for Johan last offseason and being laughed at that it was too much. At the time, it would have been a better package than they got from the Mets. Who's laughing now? Who's laughing now?

I kid...but yeah, I look forward to our new minor league scrubs from these deals.

 

Rich Hill to Baltimore for one of Andy's old red sweater-vests?

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I'm not sure anybody currently in the organization can squeeze into McPhail's size. Not Hendry, not Lou, not Randy Bush. Maybe Oneri? Tim Wilken? An early Valentine's Day gift from Jimbo?

this is TCR...what's with all the fuckin' ***'s

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Those of us who keep the TCR RSS feed active at work thank you. That fucking injury to fucking Harden has me fucking pissed btw.

Rosenthal reporting Cubs traded Felix Pie to Baltimore for Garret Olson...

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Sucks. I guess Jim and Lou really think Gathright will be better. I'm not so sure. At least we got something of value for him though, which wouldn't have happened had we waited till March.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

This is like a two years younger Rich Hill, no? Let's see what Jimbo gets for Rich Hill and Cedeno. Anyone else think they should hang onto Cedeno or try to get a utility infielder back in one of the deals? Who's behind Miles at SS? What happens if we lose a middle infielder to injury? Andres Blanco? Honestly, though, how many outfielders does the team need? Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Johnson, Hoffpauir (LF, emergency RF), and Fuld in AAA, plus this Brad Snyder dude. Joey Gathright really needs to be on the 40 man roster? Doesn't Fuld bring the same skill set, except mostly better?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

What can the Cubs possibly get for Hill? He's working on a full big league season and one winter league stint of almost complete control of any pitch. Going back through his entire minor league career he's had to be "motivated" at various points to regain his control, and while up until 2007 it looked like he was headed in the right direction, what team is going to trade for him with an eye toward putting him on the 40-man? The only thing that's going to provide him with another opportunity from anyone is that he's left handed. The Cubs will be lucky to get a single A player in return.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

If that's the case, why not carry Hill as the second lefty in the pen and send Olson to Iowa to rack up some innings? You don't have to use the second lefty much unless he's effective, and you can always give Hill away later, or release him. Hill's really only ever had the two pitches anyway--maybe he'd make a good loogy. If it turns out he's injured, they can put him on the DL and not lose him that way. If you can't get anything of value for him, then any of these options make more sense, I think. Why sell so low when it doesn't take all that much creativity to buy time? Sure, Hill could lose more value through continued struggles, but what do you really lose in that case as opposed to now? A nondescript A-ball player?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Because he can't find the plate.....? Remember his starts with the Cubs last year. In the last 2 I believe Lou couldn't finagle him past the 2nd inning. How can he pitch either long or short when he can't throw strikes? A guy with the yips really has no value. The only value that Hill has at this point is to a team that would have the patience and time to try to work his kinks out. The Cubs have neither, and I don't think any other contender is going to take any kind of flyer on him for more than a fringe prospect.

[ ]

In reply to by OakLawnGuy

I'm pretty sure the Pirates have room for someone like him.

See ya later Pie, one of the most over-rated prospects in recent years. Learn how to hit a curveball and call me.

Other rumors have the Cubs taking a look at Kris Benson (while I take another look at Anna Benson) and the Orioles are supposedly not going to extend Brian Roberts, but are also likely not going to trade him. I don't want to get the whole Brian Roberts rumor mill stirred up again (or maybe I do), but why wouldn't the Orioles want to trade Brian Roberts. Unless they choose to decide the AL East by listing the teams alphabetically, Baltimore will not be contending for a division title or wildcard birth. That is pretty much a foregone conclusion (isn't it?). So why not trade Roberts for some prospects that will help the Orioles in the future. Baltimore can finish 4th or 5th in the division either with Roberts or without him.

[ ]

In reply to by Sweet Lou

Had to google Anna Benson...too bad Moderate Safe Search is on at school, or i could only imagine.

also, the cubs get another player in the Pie deal... The Cubs have reached agreement with the Orioles on a deal that will send Pie to Baltimore for left-hander Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson, according to major-league sources. article speculates that Olson will be 2nd lefty (after Cotts) in the pen, freeing up Marshall for the 5th starter position. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9097924/Sources:-Cubs-trade-CF-Pie-t…

Cubs should start worrying about starting pitching for this season. You can't count on Harden. So that leaves you Dempster,Lilly and half blind and sore shoulder Z. No wonder Hendry was trying to deal for Peavey.

is there any truth behind that comment about olson being flipped in the peavy package?

When rich harden comes off the DL it will be like making a trade!

I thought at the time of the trade there was an article somewhere about the A's training staff re working Harden's workout to get him away from throwing off the mound, because he was a power pitcher it wasnt as vital as it it would for a finese pitcher.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.