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

Game 18 Recap: Cubs 13, Pirates 6

First Place

Box Score, Photos

W - Dempster (3-0), Ivy
L - Duke (0-1), Bullpen mounds

 

Things to Take from This Game
1. The Fifth Inning
After giving up two hits to start the game, Dempster cruised through the first four innings before falling apart in the fifth. The Cubs entered the inning with a 5-0 lead, but Dempster gave up 3 on a hbp, two walks, a couple singles and a double. He recovered a loss of command to strike out LaRoche with the bases loaded. (LaRoche just had a horrible game, all around.)

The bottom half of the inning featured five Cubs runs, two Pirates errors, and a Ramirez two-run homer. It put the game away at 10-3.

2. The Cubs Outfield
Remember when the outfield was supposed to be Soriano, Pie and Fukudome? WIth an outfield of Murton, Johnson and DeRosa, the Cubs still scored 13 runs. Johnson scored three times, Murton had a couple of RBI ground-outs, and DeRosa... well, he didn't break his neck in right field while stumbling over the Pirate bullpen, so that counts as good.

3. Cubs Patience
Another day, another 7 walks, with just three strikeouts. Really, it was just an all-around strong offesnive performance, with everyone reaching base safely other than Dempster, Howry, and pinch-hitters Fontenot and Pie.

The Cards and Brewers both lost, so guess who's in first? The happy, three-and-a-half-hour details, below.
 

Game Recap

 

Inning 1 - Top
  • McLouth lines a single on a 2-2 pitch to right, starting the game.
  • Sanchez keeps fouling balls off that whiz by Jason Bay standing on deck.
  • Sanchez goes opposite field, with a liner into right, not that far from where McLouth had hit it. First and second, no outs.
  • Bay pops one towards the right field bullpen. DeRosa underestimates how the wind is blowing it foul, has to speed up as he runs towards the Pirates' bullpen mound, reaches out to make a basket catch and trips over the mound, diving face-first towards the brick wall. Doesn't make the catch, but also doesn't die. We'll call it a win for the Cubs.
  • Bay then grounds directly to Ramirez at third. Triple play chance? Nope, Ramirez steps on third and then throws over to first for a double play. I don't think I've ever seen the Cubs turn a triple play...
  • LaRoche hits into a 3-1, Dempster escapes without damage.

Inning 1 - Bottom

  • Johnson lines a double over McLouth's head in right-center.
  • Theriot inside-outs a 2-1 pitch, bouncing it just to the right of the second baseman. Johnson scores easily, and on the throw home from McLouth, Theriot advances to second. 1-0 Cubs
  • Lee grounds out 5-3.
  • Ramirez with a sharp bounce out, 5-3 again
  • Murton gets a nice hand as he comes to bat.
  • And bounces back to the pitcher, ending the inning

Inning 2 - Top

  • Nady grounds out to 2nd.
  • Dempster makes a nice jumping, twisting grab on a ball chopped by Doumit back up the middle. 2 outs.
  • Bautista strikes out on a pitch in the dirt, Soto throws him out at first. Easy inning for Dempster

Inning 2 - Bottom

  • DeRosa grounds through the left-side hole for a single.
  • Soto whistles one right past Duke, who somehow doesn't get beaned by it. Missed by maybe 6 inches, with Duke not having the time to react in any way. Phew. Runners at 1 and 2
  • Cedeno bounces to Duke, who goes to third with it. Return throw to first isn't in time. Probably should have just gone to second with it. One out.
  • Dempster with a nice bunt to advance the runners.
  • Johnson pops out to second, ending the inning

Inning 3 - Top

  • Bixler K's swinging on a nice biting slider
  • Duke taps one a few feet down the third base line. Doesn't bother to much more than walk to first base, helping Soto throw him out.
  • Happy 92nd anniversary of the Cubs first game at Wrigley, Len tells us.
  • BJB with the "those guys on the[Chicago] Whales always spouting off." I love you, BJB.
  • McLouth flies to right. Another easy inning for Dempster

Inning 3 - Bottom

  • Theriot bounces one inside the third base bag for a leadoff double.
  • Lee grounds one through the left side hole. Theriot has to see if the ball will go through, andholds at third.
  • Ramirez lines one to the warning track just left of the left-center bullpen doors. Theriot scores, Lee to third, Ramirez doubles. 2-0 Cubs.
  • Murton bounces up the middle, Bixler picks it up on a tough hop, spins and gets Murton at first. Lee scores, Ramirez to third, 3-0 Cubs with one out.
  • DeRosa taps to Duke, 2 outs.
  • Soto walks
  • Cedeno lines one to Bixler and SS, who has it pop out of his glove. Scoops it up, and just barely gets Soto on the force at second, ending the inning.

Inning 4 - Top

  • Sanchez lines to DeRosa, who makes a nice running catch
  • In their daily text message poll question on fans favorite Cubs tradition, they include the 7th inning stretch. Len elaborates to includethat this encompasses not just Harry's singing of the stretch, but the celebrities since him. So much for voting for that...
  • Bay bounces out to Ramirez
  • LaRoche grounds to Lee. Dempster just mowing them down...

Inning 4- Bottom

  • Dempster grounds out to shortstop.
  • Johnson gets nicked by a fastball on the elbow. Down to first.
  • A perfectly executed hit and run, with Theriot lining one into the right-center gap. Theriot just does stretch it into a double, with Johnson running hard all the way to score. Exciting baseball. 4-0 Cubs
  • And Theriot steals third. You could asphixiate on all the scrappiness.
  • Lee walks.
  • Ramirez gets plunked on the left knee, and isn't too happy about it. Bases now loaded.
  • Murton inside-outs one between LaRoche and the first base line. LaRoche makes a nice play, and takes it to first base, for another RBI groundout for Murton. 5-0 Cubs, two outs, runners on 2 and 3
  • DeRosa flies to right, ending the inning

Inning 5 - Top

  • Nady rolls one through the hole past a diving Theriot. First baserunner since the first inning, I believe
  • Doumit lines out to Murton.
  • Interesting ground-rule double. Bautista lines one to center that Johnson has to go back on and contend with the wind as well, misses it in a diving attempt. The ball sort of goes into the vines, but is clearly visible on TV, and Johnson puts his hands up. As he's doing so, Nady goes from first to home and Bautista circles the bases as well. The umpire comes out to check to see that the ball actually is in the vines. It is, barely, and it's called a ground rule double. Runners go back to 2 and 3. Oh, the grittiness of Reed Johnson....
  • Bixler hbp on the shoulder. Bases loaded for the pitcher's spot.
  • Duke pulled for Mientkiewicz
  • I swear to god, I just spelled Mientkiewicz without any help. Somebody donate to TCR for that one.
  • Mientkiewicz singles to Murton, everyone advances a base. 5-1 Cubs. McLouth up.
  • Soto with a few nice blocks on balls in the dirt today, including one on the first pitch to MCLouth, saving a run.
  • Dempster seems to have totally lost the strike zone. 3-0 count to arguably the hottest hitter in the game, bases loaded and a 4 run lead. Can any goodcome of this?
  • Walks on four pitches. 5-2.
  • Sanchez hits a slow bouncer to Ramirez, who can only get Sanchez at first. 5-3, runners on 2 and 3, two outs for Bay.
  • Soto with another tough block on a pitch in the dirt. Again saves a run.
  • Four straight balls to Bay. Bases loaded. Fans booing. LaRoche up. Parachat restless.
  • Ball one.
  • Dempster over 30 pitches in the inning. Was in the mid-50s at the start of the inning.
  • Dempster comes back to a 1-2 count. Fans now standing and screaming for Dempster to get out of it.
  • Dempster K's LaRoche, swinging. Phew.

Inning 5 - Bottom

  • Franquelis Osoria in to pitch.
  • Soto lines one over the SS hole into left for a single.
  • Dempster called out of the on deck circle in favor of Fontenot. WGN shows him slamming his helmet and bat around in the dugout.Presumably, upset at himself, as the last inning really ratcheted up his pitch count on what had been an easy outing.
  • Cedeno does a nice job battling, eventually lining a double into the left field corner. Soto comes around to score. 6-3.
  • Fontenot now up for Dempster.
  • Fontenot grounds one to LaRoche's left. LaRoche just sort of whiffs at it, taking a swipe with it while trying to run to first for the out, and the ball rolls past him towards the bullpen. Cedeno scores, Fontenot stays on first, error on LaRoche. 7-3
  • Johnson takes a defensive flail at a pitch on the hit and run, and winds up getting a single off of Bautista's glove. Runners on 1 and 2 for Theriot, still no outs.
  • Another really weird play: Theriot pops a bunt that Osiroa can't quite catch on the dive. The ball rolls towards the first base line. Fontenot rounds third, thinking the catcher will go for the play at first, but instead Doumit throws behind Fontenot at third, and he's out trying to get back to the bag. Theriot is credited with a hit, and runners are on 1 and 2.
  • Lee misses a 2-1 fastball on the biggest swing I think I've ever seen Lee take.
  • Lee bounces to third. Bautista throws to second, as Fontenot stopped in front of him to avoid the easy tag. Sanchez then one-hops LaRoche at first, who again makes a rather lame effort at it. Lee is safe and Fontenot comes in to score. 8-3, two outs, and our five run lead has returned.
  • Ramirez launches one into the left-center bleachers, maybe a dozen rows up. 10-3. As a guy who's always been sort of sympathetic to the Pirates, this is just sad.
  • Murton finally hits into some luck, with a measley little squibber up the third base line, on the dirt. Osoria has a brain fart and picks up the ball, when the only hope was to let it roll foul. What an ugly inning.
  • DeRosa flies to McLouth. Inning mercifully over.

Inning 6 - Top

  • Howry in.
  • Nady K's swinging on an inside fastball. Soto drops it, but Nady is already returning to the dugout with his head hanging. Poor pirates.
  • Doumit demolishes a ball, maybe four rows up into the right field well bleachers. Fastball over the heart of the plate.
  • Bautista K's looking at a fastball on the outside corner.
  • Bixler also K's looking at an outside fastball, and Howry K's the side, with a home run in between.

Inning 6 - Bottom

  • Damaso Marte in to pitch
  • Soto walks.
  • Cedeno with another tough AB, fouling off 3-2 pitches before lining one into RF for a single. Runners on 1 and 2, no outs
  • Bob Howry hitting. Left-handed. 3rd plate appearance in 606 games played. Bunts into a strikeout.
  • Johnson lines to McLouth.
  • Theriot walks. Bases loaded for Lee.
  • Lee with another huge swing through a mid-80s fastball, 1-2 count.
  • Lee lines a 3-2 pitch into left for a two-run single. 12-4 Cubs.
  • Ramirez rolls an 0-2 pitch through the right side for an rbi single. 13-4
  • I have Marte as a middle reliever in two fantasy leagues. This sucks. Er, I mean, way to pile on, Cubbies!
  • Murton grounds to Bautista, who takes the force out at the bag. Inning over
Inning 7 - Top
  • Blanco in to catch, Chris Gomez hits for Marte
  • Gomez serves one in to right for a hit.
  • McLouth gets knicked by a fastball, just does get his jersey. 2 runners on to start the seventh.
  • Sanchez broken bat grounder to Cedeno, who just does get McLouth at second base. One out, runners on 1 and 3.
  • Bay pops to Theriot, two outs.
  • LaRoche takes a called strike three fastball. Tough day for him.
  • Who is Bonnie Hunt, and why is she singing the stretch like it's a show tune?
  • and who the hell says "by me some diamonds and crackerjacks?"

Inning 7 - Bottom

  • Bonnie Hunt, though she's neither entertaining nor interestind, does seem to be a genuine and rather intense Cubs fan, so she's still better than most of the D-listers. Just please don't change the lyrics.
  • Phil Dumatrait in.
  • DeRosa and Blanco walk.
  • Cedeno K's swinging
  • Pie pinch-hits for Howry, and K's looking.
  • And Johnson lines to LaRoche. Promising start to the inning, feeble conclusion.

Inning 8 - Top

  • Ward in for Lee. Wuertz in for Howry.
  • Nady lines out to DeROsa
  • Doumit with another bomb to right field, this time just left of the well. No doubt about either one of them. 13-5
  • Wuertz walks Bautista
  • Ball one to Bixler. Wuertz not looking too sharp.
  • Bixler hits it back to Wuertz, whose throw sails past both Theriot and Cedeno into center field. Runners stay at 1 and 2, error on Wuertz.
  • Gomez flies to Murton.
  • McLouth dribbles one to Ward, who takes it to the bag. Inning over with just the solo HR

Inning 8 - Bottom

  • Theriot's perfect day comes to an end on a tough 3-2 count check-swing call, strikeout.
  • Ward walks.
  • Ramirez singles through the left-side hole, runners on 1 and 2
  • Murton 6-4-3 DP to end the inning.

Inning 9 - Top

  • Sean Marshall in.
  • Sancehz bounces one back to Marshall, nice reflexes by Sean.
  • Bay walks.
  • Paulino hits for Dumatrait, and rolls a double to the right-center wall, scoring Bay. 13-6
  • Paulino takes third as Nady grounds out to short.
  • Fans on their feet with two outs.
  • Doumit waves at a slow curve, strikes out, ending the game. 13-6, 9 straight wins over 2 years against the Pirates, and a 5-1 homestand so far.
  • Oh yeah, and the Cubs take first.

 

Parachat Recap

 

Inning 1
  • The Messmers.
  • Threesomes with the Messmers.
  • DeRosa's stumble.
  • Fuku Fun Facts
  • Microclimates

Inning 2

  • Cysts.
  • Potential Cubs All-stars
  • Corner Gas
  • Soto's ROY chances
  • NL Central competition
  • Rachel Ray and Dunkin Donuts, and the puns that result.
  • How do you spell Selma Hayek? (Like this, duh.)
  • Will the Cards' pitching hold up.
  • Racktacular.

Inning 3

  • The Murph's 76 Gas station commercials on WGN from the 80s - "Chip off the old block" etc.
  • The racist Fukudome T-shirt
  • Pretty cooking show hosts
  • Chadball
  • Scrappy home run hitters
  • Tejada's age.
  • Cardinals game

Inning 4

  • Facing Johann Santana
  • Other Cubs Traditions
  • Fear Andy's links.
  • Does Pat Hughes do broadcasts baked?
  • The urinal stalls
  • Danica Patrick
  • Biggio left Johnson his elbow pad in his will.
  • Oh the scrappiness of it all.....
  • Future Cubs player monuments...

Inning 5

  • Is this hot streak part of a larger change in Cubs offensive philosophy?
  • Cubs lead the league in Pitches/At Bat
  • Ground rules
  • Alarmed with the inning.
  • Jays to sign Bonds?
  • Our backup outfielders.
  • Brewers game updates
  • "How far did it roll?"

Inning 6

  • Freudian analysis of Dusty Baker.
  • Brewers lose.
  • Why we hate stairs.
  • More on Thomas/Bonds/Blue Jays.
  • Who is Bonnie Hunt, and why do we care?
  • Who should the Pirates pitch next?

Inning 7

  • Checking everyone's hipster music cards.
  • Parachat contains few Bonnie Hunt fants.
  • Comparing the 7th inning stretch with McDonalds cheeseburgers.

Inning 8

  • More 7th Inning Stretch commentary
  • Arne Harris and fan cam
  • Next time the Reds visit...
  • Best Cubs reliever after Wuertz and Howry?
  • The Wood 20 K game.
  • Good Pitchers We Don't Remember Due To Injuries.

Inning 9

  • The humor of Diabetes commercials.
  • Oatmeal.
  • the final season of Roseanne.
  • Oh yeah - and the Cubs win!
  • Record in games recapped: 3-0.

 

 


If you liked this article, (and I know you did...) consider supporting us during TCR's April Pledge Drive.
Tags

Comments

For a minute their I thought we'd lost our well-stubbled second baseman/super utility guy; that headfirst tumble over the bullpen mound looked like it was going to be serious, but luckily DeRosa wasn't quite moving full speed and he pretty much lost his momentum before he ever touched the bricks. PHEW Holy Cubs offense!

When is the last time Lieber pitched? I keep waiting for Lou to bring him in in the 6th or 7th inning of these blowouts to close out the rest of the game but I can't remember seeing him in about a week.

Cubs are enjoying the 2nd best record in baseball only behind the Rattlesnakes. I know once i mention that out loud they'll drop 6 in a row and come back to .500, but hey gotta enjoy it while it lasts!

[ ]

In reply to by CPH2133

gaw. when will Cubs fans learn to start speaking positively? All this negativism has never done any good. 100 years of shooting ourselves in the foot. I can tell ya that it wasn't the billy goat that cursed this team, but the millions of fans who say were gonna lose every single day. Let's spread the good vibes around for a change! Cubs are gonna win it all!

[ ]

In reply to by 10man

The fans don't play the games. As much as I'd like to think that my positive thinking and cheering from my couch helps the Cubs win games, it's hard for my semi-rational mind to accept. Cubs fans do exactly what they need to do to help the Cubs win games--they fill the stands nearly every game, they tune in on TV, and they buy a ton of merchandise, all of which helps provide funds to support one of the higher payrolls in baseball. Yankees media and fans criticize their players as soon as they make any mistakes and managers lose their jobs even when they manage their teams into the playoffs, but none of that stopped the Yankees from winning some championships over the past 100 years. Still, I am all for good vibes. I don't see any reason why this team can't win a lot of ball games--with or without positive thinking from the fans--and that's definitely a good thing from my perspective. NOTE: One of the few times I think Cubs fans really did affect how the team, or rather a single player, performed: 2005, Corey Patterson. He was having a really bad year, but I think the booing may have been a further drain on his performance. That is not so much a matter of positive or negative thinking as it is verbal abuse and pressuring on a player, though.

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

I love how the best you can say is, "you're an idiot." Hmm... where did I say that I didn't remember those things? It must be nice to be able to win arguments that the other person isn't trying to argue. Yes, I remember that Jones lost a handful of balls in the sun. Yes, I remember it upsetting fans in the bleachers. But the fans in the bleachers were upset about Jones long before that, and they took any opportunity they could find to get upset with Jones. But I would think that you already know that. But regardless of his "penchant" for sun mishaps, what does that have to do with "dogging" it. Losing balls in the sun does not equate with not trying. Jacque Jones always played hard, which is what the original comment was about.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

Actually, there were times when Jones seemed to forget about the game and pout a little, which is not the same as dogging it, but is frustrating nonetheless. I wish I could remember the date, or even whether it was last year or 2006, but I remember Jones attempting a diving a catch on a ball hit toward rightfield. He missed the ball and got up and jogged after it for several steps, seeming to pout about not making the play, then realized the runner was trying for an inside the parker. Jones picked up the pace toward the ball, but to no avail, in part because of his arm, and the runner got an inside the park homerun. I don't remember the specifics, so I can't look this up to verify it, but that's how it plays out in my memory. Again, not the same as not hustling, but still frustrating. Still, I remember Corey giving it his all in 2005 and still being booed because of terrible performance. Hawkins sure seemed to be trying, but the fans still got on him.

Nice work, Trans, although if Fontenot did everything you said he did in the 5th, then he really is God-enot. I think the recap has him out at third (which he was), then out at 2nd on the botched double play (Theriot), then scoring on the same play (Johnson). But if you want to promote Fontegod's superhuman powers, I'm all for that. I was at the game yesterday, and other than Murton's utter lack of plate discipline, it was a very satisfying win.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • 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...