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

MLB Roster Limits

Each MLB club is permitted to reserve no more than 40 players on its MLB Reserve List, which is why the MLB Reserve List is also called the "40-man roster."

Each MLB club is required to roster at least 25 players but no more than 26 players (formerly a 24 player minimum and a 25 player maximum limit) on its MLB Active List beginning on MLB Opening Day up through 11:59 PM (Eastern) on August 31st, and then 28 players (formerly a 24 player minimum and a 40 player maximum limit) beginning on September 1st and extending through the last game of the MLB regular season. A club's MLB Active List roster must revert back to 26 players again for post-season play (LDS, LCS, and World Series). 
NOTE: In the event of an unusual or unavoidable circumstance (such as a multi-player trade, multiple trades made at about the same time, and/or multiple waiver claims awarded at about the same time, where several players have been acquired but have not yet reported), a club's MLB Active List roster can temporarily go below 25 players (beginning on MLB Opening Day and extending through August 31st) or below 28 (beginning on September 1st and extending up through the conclusion of the MLB regular season), but for no more than 48 hours.   

If a player is placed on the MLB CoViD-19 Related Injured List or on the Restricted List as the result of not being vaccinated, the player can be temporarily replaced on the MLB Active List roster by any player in the organization. When the player on the CoViD-19 IL or Restricted List is reinstated, the replacement player can be reassigned back to the minor league affiliate from which he was selected without requiring an Optional Assignment or Outright Assignment.
NOTE-1: The replacement player accrues one day of MLB Service Time for each day spent on the MLB Active List, but is not charged with an optional or outright assignment when sent back to the minor league affiliate.
NOTE-2: If a pitcher starts a game and pitches at least four innings and then is subsequently placed on the CoViD-19 Related Injured List or on the Restricted List for not being vaccinated, he cannot be replaced on the Active List roster for at least four days.

If MLB regular season games are scheduled prior to MLB Opening Day (for example, if MLB games are played in Japan, Mexico, Australia, etc), the MLB Commissioner will determine the Active List maximum roster limit for those games.   

Prior to the start of each MLB regular season a club must designate all players on its Opening Day Active List roster as either a "position-player," a "pitcher," or a "two-way player" (but only if the player already qualifies as a "two-way player") and once so designated the player's position designation cannot be changed for the balance of that season unless a "position-player" or a "pitcher" subsequently qualifies as a "two-way player" and is so designated during the course of the season.  

A maximum of 13 players on an MLB Active List can be designated as "pitchers" (14 "pitchers" maximum when rosters expand from 26 to 28 beginning on 9/1). 

For players who are recalled from an Optional Assignment or who have their contract selected and are added to an MLB Active List during the MLB regular season, the club must designate the player as either a "position player," a "pitcher, or a "two-way player" (if the player already qualifies as a "two-way player") when the player is placed on the club's MLB Active List roster.
NOTE: Since there is no limit on the number of "pitchers" who can be on a minor league club's active list roster, the "position-player," "pitcher," and "two-way player" designations are not used in the minor leagues.  

A player designated as a "position-player" can pitch in a game only if his club is winning by at least ten runs in the 9th inning, or losing by at least eight runs at any time during the game,  or regardless of the score if the game has gone to extra innings.  

With approval of the MLB Commissioner, a "two-way player" on an MLB Active List who has undergone elbow UCL reconstruction (so called "Tommy John surgery") can be temporarily assigned as a "pitcher" to a minor league club for rehabilitation purposes while remaining eligible to play in MLB games as a "position-player."  

A "position player" or a "pitcher" can be designated as a "two-way player" (and does not count against the maximum 13 pitchers allowed) if the player has thrown at least 20 IP during the course of the current MLB season or threw at least 20 IP in either of the two previous MLB seasons - AND - has started at least 20 games as a position player (including DH) and with at least three plate appearances in at least 20 of the games started as a position-player in the current MLB season or started at least 20 games as a position player (including DH) and with at least three plate appearances in at least 20 of the games started as a position-player in either of the two previous MLB seasons.   

If a player who was designated a "two-way player" prior to the start of a season because he automatically qualified as a "two-way player" by virtue of meeting the "two-way player" requirements during a previous season but then was to fall below the IP and/or G/PA threshold by the end of the current season, he would not automatically qualify as a "two-way player" again at the start of the next season (he would count as a either a "position player" or a "pitcher" until he could re-establish himself as a  "two-way player").  

No more than 15 players (formerly no more than 16 players) on a club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) may be on Optional Assignment at any one time prior to September 1st, and no more than twelve players may be on Optional Assignment at any one time beginning on September 1st and extending through the conclusion of the MLB regular season.

"Position-players" who are optioned to the minors generally must remain on Optional Assignment for at least ten days and "pitchers" and a "two-way players" who are optioned to the minors generally must remain on Optional Assignment for at least 15 days. (A "position-player" optioned to the minors during Spring Training generally must remain on Optional Assignment for the first ten days of the MLB regular season, and a "pitcher" or a "two-way player" optioned to the minors during Spring Training generally must remain on Optional Assignment for the first 15 days of the MLB regular season).
EXCEPTIONS: The only exceptions are if the player is traded or claimed off waivers, recalled as the "27th man" for a doubleheader prior to September 1st (second game of the doubleheader only if two games were scheduled after a postponed or suspended game from the previous day) or other special circumstances, or is recalled to replace a player on the MLB Active List who is traded, claimed off waivers, or placed on the MLB Injured List, Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List, or Paternity Leave List, or the Restricted List (but only pursuant to a suspension or administrative leave resulting from a violation or possible violation of the joint MLB-MLBPA JDV policy or a suspension resulting from a violation of the joint MLB-MLBPA JDPTP policy).

A club can recall a player ("position-player," "pitcher," or "two-way player") from a minor league Optional Assignment and place the player on its "Taxi Squad" for one day. If the player is not added to his club's MLB Active List by 3 PM (Eastern) the next day or at least three hours prior to the scheduled start of the next day's game (whichever is later), the player must be removed from the Taxi Squad and returned to his minor league assignment. A player on the Taxi Squad does not count against his club's MLB Active List or the minor league affiliate's active roster, and the player does not accrue MLB Service Time while on the Taxi Squad.
NOTE: The most common reasons to recall a player and place him on the Taxi Squad is when a club is considering whether to place a player on there Injured List (or other MLB inactive list) but has not yet decided, or if a trade is imminent but has not yet been consummated. 
CoViD-19 EXCEPTION: A club can carry up to five minor league players (one must be a catcher) on its MLB Taxi Squad who can be temporarily added to the club's MLB Active List roster to replace a player who is placed on the CoViD-19 IL.   

Prior to September 1st, a club can temporarily add one additional player (can be either a "position-player," a "pitcher," or a "two-way player") to its MLB Active List on any day where two games are scheduled (not including a day where the first game is the completion of a suspended game), as long as the second game was not scheduled as the result of a game that was postponed earlier in that series. If the postponed or suspended game was from earlier in the series, the additional player can be temporarily added to a club's MLB Active List for the second game only. Also, adding an additional player to a club's MLB Active List can be authorized by the MLB Commissioner for any game(s) involving unusual travel circumstances and/or any game(s) played in a non-MLB city or country.  

1. The extra player temporarily added to the club's MLB Active List must be on the club's MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or has to be added to the club's 40-man roster that day.

2. The player temporarily added to the club's MLB Active List does not have to be a pitcher.

3. In the case of two games being scheduled on the same day where a player is temporarily added to a club's MLB Active List, the extra player cannot be switched between games.

4. A minor league player can be added to a club's Active List as the extra player even if he has not spent ten days (for a "position-player") or 15 days (for a "pitcher" or a "two-way player") on Optional Assignment (or Outright Assignment) prior to being added.
   
7. A player added to a club's MLB Active List as an extra player can remain on the Active List and a different player can be dropped the next day, as long as the extra player was not called up from the minors prior to spending at least ten days (for a "position-player") or 15 days (for a "pitcher" or for a "two-way player") on Optional or Outright Assignment. However, a player called up as the extra player prior to spending at least ten days (for a "position-player") or 15 days (for a "pitcher" or for a "two-way player") on Optional or Outright Assignment could remain on the club's MLB Active List roster if the player replaces a player who is placed on an injured list or other MLB inactive list the next day.    

8. If a player is temporarily recalled as an extra player and then is optioned or outrighted back to the minors the next day, the "10-day rule" clock (for "position-players") or "15-day rule clock" (for "pitchers" and for "two-way players") that prohibits a player from being recalled until he has spent at least ten days (for "position-players") or 15 days (for "pitchers" or for "two-way players") on Optional or Outright Assignment (unless he is replacing a player who is placed on an injured list or other MLB inactive list) does not start over again. However many days toward ten (for a "position-player") or 15 (for a" pitcher" or for a "two-way player") that the player spent on Optional or Outright Assignment prior to being recalled as an extra man counts toward the ten days (for a "position-player") or 15 days (for a "pitcher" or for a "two-way player").    

A player temporarily added to a club's MLB Active List for a doubleheader or other circumstances accrues one day of MLB Service Time.

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).