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, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* 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
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

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




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Wilson, Cease, and Hudson Star at Minor League Camp

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

CF D. J. Wilson (Cubs 2015 4th round draft pick - Canton South HS - Canton, OH) tripled and singled and scored two runs, 6'8 LHP Bryan Hudson (Cubs 2015 3rd round draft pick - Alton HS - Alton, IL) tossed 4.1 IP of one hit shutout ball with a 10/1 GO/AO, and Cubs top pitching prospect fireballin' RHSP Dylan Cease (Cubs 2014 6th round draft pick - Milton HS - Milton, GA) hurled four innings of one-run/one hit ball, in Minor League Camp intrasquad game action Wednesday morning on Field #6 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was called after 11-1/2 innings of play with the score tied 2-2. 

Shane Victorino (calf strain) continued his rehab, playing LF for six innings and going 0-3 at the plate (4-3, 4-3, 5-3). 

Ex-KC closer RHP Aaron Crow (signed by the Cubs to a minor league contract prior to the start of Spring Training) made his first game appearance since undergoing TJS last April, throwing 1.2 IP (19 pitches - 12 strikes) and allowing one hit and an unearned run with a 4/0 GO/AO.  

Ex-HOU RHRP Jake Buchanan made his first game appearance in a Cub uniform since being signed to a minor league contract last week, throwing 1.2 IP (21 pitches) while surrendering a run (earmed) on two hits (a triple and an RBI single) and a 3/0 GO/AO.

In Minor League Camp roster news, 3B-1B  Blake Headley (Cubs 2015 20th round draft pick - U. of Nebraska) has retired. Also, INF-OF David Bote was assigned to Myrtle Beach (where either he or Erick Castillo will likely initially be inactive, but available to be reinstated when needed), and LHP Jeffry Antigua has been assigned to Extended Spring Training (he was previously with the Iowa squad at Minor League Camp) and will be available to respond whenever needed on a moment's notice to any of the Cubs four full-season afiliates.  

Here is the box score from the game: 

SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1a. D. J. Wilson, CF: 2-3 (1B+E3, 3B, P-4, 2 R) 
1b. Ricardo Marcano, CF: 0-0 (BB, BB)
2. Rafael Mejia, 3B: 1-5 (P-4, 1B, K, F-9, K, RBI)
3a. Shane Victorino, LF: 0-3 (4-3, 4-3, 5-3, RBI)
3b. Kevonte Mitchell, LF: 1-2 (1B, E-6, CS, PO)
4a. Gustavo Polanco, 1B: 1-3 (6-3, 5-3, 1B+E8)
4b. Chris Pieters, 1B: 0-2 (6-3, K)
5. Ramon Reyes, RF: 1-5 (E-6, 5-3, 1-3, 1B, 4-3)
6. Aramis Ademan, SS: 0-4 (5-4 FC, K, 6-3, 4-3)
7. Jhonny Bethencourt, 2B: 0-4 (3-U, 1-3, 1-3, K)
8a. Tyler Payne, C-DH: 0-3 (6-3, 4-3, 4-3)
8b. Jhonny Pereda, PH: 0-1 (1-3)
9a. Eric Gonzalez, DH #1: 1-3 (K, 1-3, 2B)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FOURTH TIME THRU BATTING ORDER
10. Tyler Pearson, DH-C: 0-1 (HBP, F-7)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER
11a. Luis Ayala, DH #3: 0-1 (6-3)
11b. Jesse Hodges, PH-DH: 0-3 (6-3, F-9, 1-3)

SQUAD "B" LINEUP: 
1. Yeiler Peguero, 2B: 1-3 (4-3, BB, F-8, 1B+E1, BB, PO)
2. Jose Gonzalez, CF: 1-4 (BB, K, 2B, 6-3, K, SB)
3. Abraham Rodriguez, DH:#1: 1-4 (1B, 6-3 DP, 6-3, E-6)
4a. Kwang-Min Kwon, RF: 0-1 (P-5 DP, BB, R)
4b. Michael Foster, RF: 0-2 (6-3, K)
5. Kelly Dugan, 1B: 1-3 (F-7, HBP, K, 1B, SB)
6. Jonathan Sierra, LF: 1-3 (E-6, 1B, BB, 5-4-3 DP, RBI, PO)
7. Yonathan Perlaza, SS: 0-3 (5-4 FC, BB, K, 1-3, CS)
8a. Kevin Zamudio, C: 0-2 (K, K)
8b. Marcus Mastrobuoni, C: 0-2 (K, 4-3)
9. Rafael Narea, 3B: 1-3 (BB, P-3, 1B, K, R)
10. Miguel Amaya, DH #2: 0-4 (6-3 DP, L-6, F-8, 4-3)

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS:
1. Dylan Cease: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 4/2 GO/AO, 55 pitches (27 strikes)
2. Jeremy Null: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 1/3 GO/AO, 24 pitches (16 strikes)
3. Jose Albertos: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 15 pitches (9 strikes) 
4. Jared Cheek: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 20 pitches (11 strikes) 
5. Yapson Gomez: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (16 strikes) 
6. Tommy Nance: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 17 pitches (10 strikes) 

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Aaron Crow: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 4/0 GO/AO, 19 pitches (12 strikes) 
2. Jake Buchanan: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 4/0 GO/AO, 21 pitches (15 strikes)
3. Bryan Hudson: 4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 10/1 GO/AO, 48 pitches (32 strikes)
4. Pedro Silverio: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP, 2/2 GO/AO, 37 pitches (22 strikes)
5. Tyler Peitzmeier: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 14 pitches (11 strikes)
6. Daniel Lewis: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 1/0 GO/AO, 23 pitches (14 strikes)

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 3 
1. SS Aramis Ademan: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. P Jared Cheek: E-1 (two-base throwing error on infield single allowed batter to advance to 3rd & runner to score from 1st)
3. SS Aramis Ademan: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 4 
1. 1B Kelly Dugan: E-3 (throwing error on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd)
2. SS Yonathan Perlaza: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
3. CF Jose Gonzalez: E-8 (throwing error after single to CF allowed batter to advance to 2nd)
4. SS Yonathan Perlaza: E-6 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Tyler Payne: 1-3 CS 
2. Tyler Pearson: 1 PO 

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Marcus Mastrobuoni; 1-1 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 10 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 


CUBS EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING ROSTER: 81+13

* bats or throws left 
# bats both 

PITCHERS: 39+10
Jose Albertos
* Jeffry Antigua
Pedro Araujo
Javier Assad 
Frank Batista (INJURY REHAB GROUP - knee) 
Dallas Beeler (ACTIVE REHAB - right shoulder inflammation)
Jordan Brink (INJURY REHAB GROUP - post-2015 right shoulder surgery)
Cole Brocker
Aaron Brooks (INJURY REHAB GROUP - hip contusion)
Jake Buchanan
Jesus Camargo
Jesus Castillo 
Dylan Cease
Jared Cheek
Aaron Crow (ACTIVE REHAB - April 2015 TJS)
Oscar de la Cruz (INJURY REHAB GROUP - elbow)
Enrique de los Rios
* Andin Diaz (INJURY REHAB GROUP)
Wander Feliz (ex-OF)
P. J. Francescon (RESTRICTED LIST - ACTIVE)
Francisco Garay (ex-INF)
Hector Garcia
* Yapson Gomez
Tanner Griggs (RESTRICTED LIST - ACTIVE)
Luis Hernandez (INJURY REHAB GROUP)
* Bryan Hudson
John Michael Knighton 
* Jack Leathersich (INJURY REHAB GROUP - July 2015 TJS)
Jose Leidenz
Daniel Lewis 
Gabriel Lima (INJURY REHAB GROUP)
Mark Malave 
Junior Marte
Kyle Miller
M. T. Minacci 
Erling Moreno
Tommy Nance
Jeremy Null
* Pablo Ochoa 
* Eugenio Palma 
* Tyler Peitzmeier
Jonathan Pettibone (INJURY REHAB GROUP - 2015 right shoulder surgery)
Andri Rondon
* Manny Rondon
Jose Rosario (ACTIVE REHAB - April 2015 TJS)
Alexander Santana
Pedro Silverio
Duane Underwood Jr (ACTIVE REHAB - elbow)
Jose Zapata (INACTIVE - player coach)

CATCHERS: 9+1
Miguel Amaya 
Eric Gonzalez
Marcus Mastrobuoni 
* Alberto Mineo
Tyler Payne
Tyler Pearson 
Jhonny Pereda
Gustavo Polanco
Will Remillard (INACTIVE - April 2016 TJS #2)
Kevin Zamudio

INFIELDERS: 16+2
* Aramis Ademan
Javy Baez (ACTIVE REHAB - thumb contusion)
Jhonny Bethencourt
Wladimir Galindo 
Jesse Hodges
* Vimael Machin
Joey Martarano (INACTIVE - attending college at Boise State)
Rafael Mejia
Andruw Monasterio
Rafael Narea
Isaac Paredes 
# Yeiler Peguero
# Yonathan Perlaza 
* Chris Pieters
# Edgar Rondon
Ho-Young Son
Christian Villanueva (INACTIVE - fractured fibula)
# Sutton Whiting 

OUTFIELDERS: 17
* Luis Ayala
Alex Bautista
# Roberto Caro 
* Kelly Dugan
Michael Foster
# Robert Garcia
Jose Gonzalez
* Kwang-Min Kwon
* Ricardo Marcano
Trey Martin (ACTIVE REHAB)
Yohan Matos (ex-C)
Kevonte Mitchell 
* Ruben Reyes
* Abraham Rodriguez
* Jonathan Sierra
# Shane Victorino (ACTIVE REHAB - calf)
* D. J. Wilson

MANAGER:
Carmelo Martinez

Tags
Cubs Minor League Spring Training Game Recap
Shane Victorino
Aaron Crow
Jake Buchanan
Bryan Hudson
Dylan Cease
D. J. Wilson
Blake Headley
Jeffry Antigua

Comments

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 04:35 pm

Hey AzPhil, I am a fan of Ryan Kellogg and was curious if there's anything new to be said about him before the season? Is he a Best Shape of His Life guy this year?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:32 am

KINGKONGvsGODZILA: I saw Ryan Kellogg throw several times (both "live" BP and in games), and he had some very good outings and then some that weren't so good. So it's just a matter of being more consistent. 

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 04:45 pm

STL has sole possession of the worst record in all of MLB. this is awesome and i'm sure it should hold up over the next 159 games.

Submitted by azbobbop on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 04:49 pm

Phil, love your reports on Hudson and Cease. Aside from their stats, how did you feel they looked?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:29 am

AZBOBBOP: Although the results were good, it wasn't exactly Cease's best outing as a pro (fastball topped out at 93-94, he had difficulty throwing strikes, with four walks, a HBP, and he threw only 49% of his pitches for strikes). 

Hudson was absolutely masterful, mixing what is one of the best curves in the system with a heavy sinker that produced ten ground outs. Among others, he induced a 5-3 GO from Shane Victorino, who came back to the bench shaking his head. He waa definitely impressed by what he saw from Hudson. 

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:26 am

Andrew Heaney to the DL with a left forearm strain. I wonder if the 40 pitch inning was "the chicken or the egg." Supposedly he had velocity drops in the 2nd inning but was throwing under 90 by the end of his outing vs the Cubs.

Submitted by Cubster on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:28 am

from the Tribune this am... Iowa Cubs vs Red Rock tonight!
Opening assignment: Ryan Williams will take the mound in Iowa’s season opener Thursday against Round Rock. Williams was 14-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 26 games at Double-A Tennessee and Class A South Bend last season.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:46 am

Something to keep in mind when following the Cubs minor league teams this season:

As I have mentioned before, the Cubs like to carry an extra position player at each of their four full-season affiliates who is inactive (they place him on the Dl; with some vague soft-tissue injury) but who can be reinstated if one of the other position players has to go on the 7-day DL. These players function as de facto player-coaches, in that they stay in playing shape by taking BP and fielding practice, but they also help out the coaching staff by throwing BP, or coaching 1st base, or working as a bulpen catcher, etc. A lot of times these players are projected as future coaches or managers themselves, and performing  this role can help to further the player's post-playing career. (Jonathan Mota served as a player-coach for several seasons, and now he is a full-time coach in the Cubs organization, presently working with the infielders at Extended Spring Training).  

Also, the Cubs like to carry 14 pitchers at each of the four full-season affiliates, with one of the 14 pitchers on the DL at any one time, but then rotating a different pitcher to the DL (and reinstating the guy who was on the DL) whenever a pitcher needs a few days off but does not require medical rehab in Mesa. Again, the reason for the DL stint is sometimes a bit vague. but don't be too concerned when you see these transactions. It's just routine. No big deal.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:24 pm

Also...

C-INF Ben Carhart and OF Matt Murton to 7-day DL at AAA Iowa (I-Cubs are carrying 14 pitchers until Shane Victorino reports, which should be any day now), RHRP Steve Perakslis and 2B Stephen Bruno to 7-day DL at AA Tennessee, and LHP Tyler Ihrig and C Erick Castillo to 7-day DL at Hi-A Myrtle Beach.

And I have been told (and it has NOT been confirmed anywhere on the net) that LHRP Manny Parra, INF Munenori Kawasaki, and OF Shane Victorino--when they released and then almost immediately re-signed with the Cubs the last week of Spring Training--received MLB Opening Day (4/3) opt-outs, which is why Kawasaki was added to the Cubs MLB 40-man roster (and optioned to Iowa) on 4/3 and why Parra was released (he is out of minor league options, so he could not be added to the 40-man roster and then optioned to Iowa like Kawasaki)... Victorino did NOT exercise his Opening Day opt-out because he previously agreed to go to Extended Spring Training to rehab his calf injury and then go to Iowa FOR A FEW DAYS, but he supposedly has another opt-out on May 1st. 

So the Cubs released & then re-signed Parra, Kasawaki, and Victorino on 3/29 to avoid having to pay the $100K retention bonus to each player, but in return they consented to an Opening Day opt-out (instead of 6/1) for each player, and then the Cubs also were given five additional days (3/29 - 4/3) to decide what to do with each player... 

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 04:57 pm

Still no sign of Javy Baez on the field at Riverview.

I think it's very possible that he will be out for seven days (per the concussion protocol) after getting beaned in an intrasquad game this past Monday, so we probably won't see him on the field here until next Monday or Tuesday, and then it will probably be a few more days after that before he's ready to move up to Chicago (or Des Moines).

So any chance that Baez will be reinstated from the 15-day DL while the Cubs are in Arizona this weekend is now extremely unlikely. 

Recent comments

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

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