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

Yes, We Have No Banana Break (Today)

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

As many of you know by now, Thursday is usually Camp Day at Cubs Extended Spring Training.

And so it was in fact today, as the EXST Cubs first had some fielding drills & took BP on Fitch Park Fields 1, 2, and 4, followed by a three-inning intrasquad game on Field #3 (and with no Banana Break in between, either!).

As is often the case in the somewhat more-informal EXST intrasquad games at Fitch Park, the pitchers throw for one squad or the other, but the position players rotate from the field to the bench each inning or half-inning (whatever), without regard to teams (squads) or batting order.

Also, innings are sometimes  terminated early if a pitcher reaches his pitch limit for that inning prior to three outs being recorded, and innings are sometimes extended if a pitcher gets three outs without getting anywhere close to his pitch limit for that inning (and if pitch counts ever become any more important than they already are, this may be the way baseball will be played someday).  

Here is today's abridged box score (such as it is):

POSITION PLAYERS:
Kevin Soto, CF: 2-2 (R, 2B, RBI)
Junior Lake, SS: 2-3
Carlos Perez, 1B: 0-1 (SF-RBI)
John Contreras, 3B: 0-2 
Starlin Castro, 2B: 1-2
Cesar Salazar, LF: 1-2 (SB, K)
George Matheus, SS: 0-1 (K)
Dwayne Kemp, 2B: 0-1 (SH)
Nelson Perez, CF: 0-2 (K)
Bryan Jost, 1B: 0-1
Marwin Gonzalez, RF: 1-1 (R, SB)
Kyler Burke, RF: 2-2 (2B, 3B, RBI, R)
Drew Rundle, LF: 0-2
Jose Made, 2B-SS: 0-2 (K)
Alvaro Sosa, C: 0-1 (CS)
Robinson Chirinos, C: 0-1
Josh Vitters, 3B: PLAYED DEFENSE ONLY - NO AB...
(and Roberto Sabates was the bullpen catcher - NO AB)

PITCHERS:

SQUAD "A"
Rogelio Carmona - 2.1 IP, 2 H. 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K  (1/4 GO/FO)
John Muller - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (1/1 GO/FO)

SQUAD "B"
Miguel Sierra - 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K (4/3 GO/FO)

ERRORS (2):
1. Bryan Jost, E3, missed catch on ground ball that went under his glove.
2. John Contreras, E5, overthrow at 1st base on infield hit with no outs that allowed runner to score from 2nd base. 

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Robinson Chirinos: 1-2 CS
Alvaro Sosa: 0-1 CS

WEATHER: Hot with temperature in the 90's, calm winds, no clouds to be seen.

ATTENDANCE: 2 civilians, plus the University of Oklahoma Sooners baseball team that had a work-out on Field #1 during the Cubs intrasquad game, in preparation for their opening game in the NCAA Tempe Regional tomorrow afternoon at Packard Stadium versus Vanderbilt. (Arizona State plays Stony Brook in the other game) 

Tags
Extended Spring Training

Comments

Submitted by Paul Noce on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 05:02 pm

For Mike C, who can't have a 'discussion' without cursing and insulting the other person: Paul Sullivan writes: "Until the trade market heats up, Piniella has to cross his fingers and hope that Micah Hoffpauir is a quick learner at the age of 28, Jim Edmonds is not just a recycled star on his last legs, and Daryle Ward can get healthy enough so he doesn’t have to use two players (Ward and a pinch-runner) every time he pinch-hits. Fukudome is no home run hitter and is not the kind of run-producer needed in the No. 5 hole." http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/05/l… Fukudome is on pace for an incredibly unproductive year as a number 5 hitter, 6 home runs and 60 rbi's. But Mike C, the child he is, thinks that's the greatest run production in club history and that anyone else in the five hole would do worse. Just ask him, he'll be glad to call you a "fuck", "piece of shit", or tell you to "Shut the fuck up" because he can't tolerate other people's opinions, especially when his is so blatantly ignorant.

Submitted by Q-Ball on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 05:24 pm

AZ PHIL, I perhaps missed some updates, but what is going on with Josh Vitters? Has he been hurt, is that why he is at EXST? How does he look so far? I need some good Cub Farm System news, because alot of our top prospects are having so-so or worse years: Smardzija, Veal, Colvin, Thomas, Donaldson, Ceda, Pawelek....I don't think Ryan Harvey even counts as a prospect anymore. Our farm system is starting to look a little dry........

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 05:46 pm

I would say that there are bright linings to the Colvin and Thomas clouds. Colvin has vastly increased his walk rate, so maybe the low average is due to him slowly learning some plate discipline, which he'll need. Also, though Thomas numbers no longer stand out, he's still hitting a bit after being promoted all the way to Daytona from Boise (where he spent the second half of last season). Donaldson and Samardzija on the other hand... what happened there? (Samninja, what is so hard about learning to throw a breaking ball when you obviously have the arm speed to do so?) Veal and Ceda are doing about what we should've expected, but of course I too am disappointed that neither one of them is breaking out or getting a whole lot better.

Submitted by Raisin101 on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 05:27 pm

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks. Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 05:06 am

Submitted by Raisin101 on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 8:27pm.

AZ Phil, I've seen you mention Carmona throws hard and can be wild. How hard does he throw? What other pitches does he have? Thanks.

Oh, and do you think Hernandez will be up with Peoria soon now that his suspension is over?

==========================

RAISIN: Other than Rafael Dolis (who was shut-down with a sore shoulder last month while rehabbing from 2007 TJS), there aren't any extreme hard throwers at EXST this year. Angel Guzman and Julio Pena throw 94, Rogelio Carmona and a few others can throw 93. Mark Pawelek has got his fastball velocity up to 92 and is throwing his hard slider again (he had been told by Cubs coaches not to throw it), and he has gone back to the release point & arm slot that worked really well for him in HS, even though Cubs coaches had him change to a more conventional motion & delivery after he signed in 2005 because they thought the way he was throwing (at that time) would eventually cause shoulder problems. Marcus Hatley doesn't throw real hard, but he has an outstanding cutter (sort of like Kevin Hart) and his stamina is good (he's a horse).

Carmona throws a fastball, slider, and an occasional change. The problem with Carmona is command and control, which is the problem with a lot of guys down here. Consistency from outing to outing is another problem. But when he's "on" his game, Carmona can rack up the K's. He throws hardest in his first inning or two (30 pitches) and then his velocity usually drops off, so he's probably more of a late-inning relief prospect than a future starter.

There also are a lot of pitchers at EXST who have one good pitch but no decent secondary stuff. Sort of like Jeff Samardzija throwing a plus power-sinker but everything else is sub-standard.

As for Robert Hernandez, I think it's just a matter of the Cubs waiting for a roster opening at Peoria. Last year, several pitchers went down with injuries at Peoria and Daytona in April and May, but there haven't been anywhere near as many injuries this year. Which is good for the pitchers at Peoria and Daytona, but not for Hernandez. But pitching-wise, Hernandez is clearly a man among boys at EXST.

When it gets to the end of EXST next Wednesday, I would expect Hernandez and Pawelek to move up to Peoria rather than go to Boise, with maybe Billy Muldowney and possibly Blake Parker moving up to Daytona, and/or maybe Alberto Cabrera, Kevin Kreier, and/or Audy Santana moving down to Boise. (That's presuming there aren't any injuries at Daytona or Peoria between now and then).

Submitted by Raisin101 on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 05:29 pm

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation. Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 05:14 pm

Submitted by Raisin101 on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 11:29am.

Thanks, AZ Phil. It appears Kreier is already coming back down from Peoria despite a couple good outings. Dae-Eun Rhee is off the Peoria DL and has been reinsted in the Peoria rotation.

Kreier and Marcus Hatley look like probable shoe-ins for Boise's rotation. What about Harol Tolentino? You haven't mentioned him much recently but I know he throws pretty hard and had a few chances at Boise and Peoria last season.

============================

RAISIN: Harol Tolentino has been used mainly in one inning outings at the end of EXST games, so I would expect him to be either the co-closer with John Muller or #1 set-up guy at Boise.

Of course, a lot will depend on who the Cubs draft and sign next week, but AS THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW, I would expect the Boise 17-man (or 18-man) pitching staff will include:

STARTING ROTATION:
1. Robert Hernandez (although I believe he will be at Peoria no later than 6-17-08)
2. Mark Pawelek (I believe he will be at Peoria by 6-17, too)
3. Ryan Acosta
4. Kevin Kreier
5. Marcus Hatley

BULLPEN:
John Muller (likely primary closer or co-closer)
Harol Tolentino (probable #1 set-up guy or co-closer)
Arik Hempy (arm strength still a problem)
Jon Mueller (has completed rehab but has been pretty bad in recent outings)
Michael Bunton (only recently back active from sore shoulder, not yet 100%)
Jake Muyco (converted catcher)
Luke Sommer (converted OF, was a pitcher in HS)
Jose Pina (rehabbing from 2007 TJS - will pitch only when the time is right)
Chris Huseby (until he gets his mechanics straightened out, he'll probably work mainly in simulated games & bullpen sessions, and he possibly might get some garbage innings, too)

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil:
    Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
     

  • crunch (view)

    masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around.  i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I THINK I agree with that decision. They committed to Wicks as a starter and, while he hasn’t been stellar I don’t think he’s been bad enough to undo that commitment.

    That said, Wesneski’s performance last night dictates he be the next righty up.

    Quite the dilemma. They have many good options, particularly in relief, but not many great ones. And complicating the situation is that the pitchers being paid the most are by and large performing the worst - or in Taillon’s case, at least to this point, not at all.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Wesneski and Mastrobuoni to Iowa

    Taillon and Wisdom up

    Wesneski can't pitch for a couple of days after the 4 IP from last night. But Jed picked Wicks over Wesneski.

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