Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus one player is 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 3-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
* 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: 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 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 1 
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 1 
Caleb Kilian, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Giants @ Cubs: Cain vs. Hendricks (Game 109 Thread)

SF (59-50): RHP Matt Cain (2-2, 4.91)
CHC (60-48): RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-5, 3.67)
First pitch: 3:05pmCT

Pagan# cf

Aoki* lf

Duffy 3b

Posey c

Pence rf

Belt* 1b

Crawford* ss

Adrianza# 2b
Cain p

 

Fowler# cf

Schwarber* lf

Coghlan* 2b

Rizzo* 1b

Bryant 3b

Soler rf

Montero* c

Hendricks p

Russell ss


Hendricks beat the Brewers last Friday (7 IP, 2 ER). So far this season, righties are hitting .234 against him. None of the Giants have faced him.

After going 16-5 with a 2.79 (and a perfect game) in 2012, Cain has struggled the past two-plus years. This is his seventh game back after returning from elbow surgery from August of last year to remove bone chips. He is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four road starts this year. The Cubs, who last saw him in 2013, are 32-163 (.196) against him. Denorfia is 5-13 (.385). Montero is 11-54 (.204) with 2 HR.

You can quibble with the order, but this is the best lineup we’ve seen all season. Let’s get some runs!

Go Cubs! 

Comments

Catcher David Ross goes on Bereavement List (grandmother died), and OF Matt Szczur has been recalled from Iowa. (Szczur was optioned to Iowa just yesterday when Miguel Montero was reinstated from the 15-day DL). 

This is how the Bereavement List works:

A player can be placed on the Bereavement List when the player leaves his club as the result of a death in his immediate family (spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling). 

A player must remain on the Bereavement List for at least three days, but no more than seven days.

The Bereavement List functions just like the 7-day or 15-day DL, in that a player on Bereavement Leave does not count against his club's Active List, (25-man roster), so he can be replaced by another player while on the Bereavement List. He does count against his club's Reserve List (40-man roster), however.

MLB players on the Bereavement List continue to accrue MLB service time.

Note that Matt Szczur can be recalled to replace Ross because even though a player who is optioned to the minors generally must remain on Optional Assignment for at least ten days (Szczur was optioned to the minors yesterday), the exceptions to the "ten day rule" are if the player is recalled as the "26th man" for a day where a doubleheader was scheduled at least 48 hours in advance (or for the second game of the doubleheader only if the doubleheader was scheduled less than 48 hours in advance), or is recalled to replace a player on the 25-man roster who is placed on an MLB inactive list (Disabled List, Bereavement List, Paternity List, Restricted List, et al), or if the season (including post-season playoffs) of the minor league team to which the player is assigned is over, or if the player is traded.

Also, if David Ross were to remain on Bereavement Leave for more than seven days (not very likely, but possible), he would have to be transferred to the Restricted List (where he would not be paid or accrue MLB Service Time) if the Cubs wish to continue filling his slot on the MLB 25-man roster with another player. Otherwise, the Cubs would have to play with a 24-man roster until Ross returns. 

I am sure he is a nice guy, and I am jealous that he has all that hair, but if I either never see J Russell again - or only when the Cubs are ahead or behind by 10 runs - that would be fine.

Per Fangraphs, Cubs' Wild Card odds have gone from 53% to 69.8% in the last 3 days.

Wow. Also, 3 out of 4 of the best records in the NL are all from the NL Central. Incredible. And the only other team - the Dodgers - are better than the Cubs by a game. And the Pirates keep winning on nail-biters as well.

AZ PHIL Calls it Since the Cubs acquired Russell, our AZ PHIL maintained he is a better SS than Castro. It took 4 months + a week for Joe Maddon to pull the plug. Its unfortunate that Castro could not have managed a little hot streak before the deadline to have made him more marketable. I suspect that over the winter TheoJed will find some package they can put together to trigger a trade.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

I do not think Coghlan will be the Cubs starting 2B for a very long time. Castro should be seeing time at 2B soon if he is to remain with the Cubs. Unfortunately, Castro's issues receiving throws from the catcher won't be any less of an issue if he's playing 2B. :( I really would've thought he could master that with practice.

[ ]

In reply to by QuietMan

hopefully he can stay cool until the offseason. i don't think we're going to see castro around in 2016 even if it means "selling low." it's not an attitude problem, it's just a production problem for a team with other options that should be flush in 2016. the team has a CF issue to work out for 2016...and could probably use a good starter. 2nd/SS are covered from many angles and ready to play even without castro.

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

Maybe it's not as bad as I thought. Here's the full Castro quote: "Yeah, if I have a chance to talk to them, I will," Castro said. "Whatever they can do, they know why they do it and they know what is best for me and the other players. "Whatever decision they make, I'm in."

I was at the game today (what fun!) and Coghlan's footwork at second was not good, and led to that "infield hit." There was another play where he took way too long to set up to throw. In this era of 13-man pitching staffs, you need a guy who can at least not embarrass you at multiple positions, and Coghlan can do that, plus he is an okay hitter. But as another TCR poster said the other day (sorry, long day, I'm tired, didn't look it up to give credit), he will be exposed defensively sooner or later. I was glad to see Herrera come in for D today, and he made Maddon look like a genius by making some good plays on popups. Coghlan probably would have made them, but still. The problem with Castro at second is the offense. Even if, as AZ Phil has been saying for years, he is better at second than at short, his poor offense makes him a liability at any position. It's really awkward, and I feel bad for the man (did you see that picture in the Tribune today?), but the bottom line is that the Cubs likely would be better off even this year with LaStella or Baez at 2b. Remember that in spring training it seemed obvious that one or the other would be the starter there, and Russell would be in AAA most or all of the year. After getting a good look at Russell smoking the ball today, I am reminded that baseball is funny, and the season is long. So I have the sad feeling that we will not see much of Castro from here on out, barring injury. They will muddle through in August with Coghlan at 2b when Schwarber in in LF. I have no idea what will happen when rosters expand in September, but whatever it is, I doubt that it will give Castro playing time. As one of the FanGraphs forum hosts said the other day, he is a candidate for a change-of-scenery trade in the off-season. What I like is that these tough decisions are being made, and at least that Castro is saying the right things. I wish him well, but it is unlikely that he will be a Cub after this year.

[ ]

In reply to by fullykräusened

...What I like is that these tough decisions are being made.. Man you are so right. We had years of "loyal to the bitter end" with Hendry. Theo, as we know, traded the most popular Boston player in his near-prime (Nomar), and with Maddon hired for his great tactical mind and player management skills - this is very refreshing. One would have hoped that Castro's trajectory would have pointed up and that this would have been a team-leading by example player - not a Tulo, but maybe top 3 SS in the NL at this point. Who knows what the deal is? You are right in that if he cannot reclaim some of his former self by the end of the year - it will be best a change of scenery trade for him. And, the management team will not be afraid to get it done.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

"reclaim some of his former self" Castro's former self was a no-power underachiever, what Sveum called a "hit-chaser." Sveum was authorized to teach him an approach to hitting other than chasing everything after two strikes, trying to slap a ball to center or right. When those lessons didn't take, they criticized Sveum for "too much tough and too little love," and hired Renteria to whisper sweet nothings, in Spanish, into Castro's ear--while buying time to trade the guy. But Baez fizzled so they weren't ready to do a trade last winter, thinking they'd wait until this midseason. Too late now. Just write him off. La Stella was the guy they got to play second last winter. There's also Coghlan, and Utley in the background.

[ ]

In reply to by fullykräusened

Yeah...I assume Coghlan at 2B is a band-aid until they have a sense if either Javy or LaStella are ready to provide offense as well as good 2B defense. Meanwhile....Cubs have scored 4 or more runs in their last 9 games, and 5 or more in their last 5. Imagine if Montero hadn't gotten hurt -- Schwarber would be working on his catching skills at Iowa.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I very much hope that Javy and LaStella both work out, but let's not forget that LaStella is actually a little more than a year older than Castro. And Javy's K% in AAA this year is only marginally better than in 2014, while his BB% is marginally worse. Castro may still be the best long-term option available to the Cubs (at 2B), especially if there is little to be gained by trading him.

OK... Here's the question. Cubs make the playoffs and if Castro is still on the roster, does he make the playoff roster? If so, as what... A RH PH/backup SS? Can you afford him as that on a 5-man, let alone a 4-man bench? I don't think they wait until the off season to move him. I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already cleared waivers and will move him before 8/31. His idiotic comment about needing to talk with Theo/Jed before playing another position should have sealed that decision .

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

they can carry less pitching in the post-season if they want to since they're (most likely) going with a 3-man rotation. the roster options are a bit more robust. there's also a slew of guys coming up and a hot streak by them and/or injuries to regulars could make post-season roster slots interesting.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

I really think you're misreading that comment. I watched the interview, and it didn't come off as entitled or defensive at all--it sounded more to me like he'd like to explore options to contribute if he's not going to be starting at SS. Also, a 3-time all-star being frustrated with losing his spot is not exactly deal-breaking material. Not like he sent Michael Barrett to the E.R.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Yeah I agree. (See my updated quote up above). I think it was just awkwardly worded but he was trying to say he's onboard with doing what's right to help the team right now. I think he hopefully recognizes, as difficult as it may be to admit, he is dead last in OPS among all starting MLB shortstops. He has work to do.

[ ]

In reply to by George Altman

If I was a GM, I wouldn't want a player who didn't want to be out there, anyway. If he sulks, whines, or pouts, no big deal. If he bashes the GM, no big deal. So even if you didn't misread the comment, it doesn't really matter. Players who are happy being benched aren't good to have around. Hindsight is 20/20 but I wish TheoCorp could have traded him at the beginning of the year after a pretty good year at the plate in 2014. Instead, again, they messed with his hitting style and tried to turn him into an OBP guy. The difference between this year and Sveum's year is that he really bought into it, I guess because he likes Maddon. Castro isn't an OBP guy, and never will be. It's like trying to teach an ostrich to fly. They should have left him alone and let him do his thing. Maybe he still would have GDIP a million times, but he does seem better when he's aggressive at the plate and not trying to guess what the opposition is trying to do with him. That doesn't take care of the fielding miscues, and he'll never be a Russell in the field. That SS job is now Russell's, methinks. They'll need to be able to convince someone that Castro still has a ceiling, and maybe get a prospect for him, but I don't consider that very likely.

I gotta say, and nothing like whining when the team is doing well, but Vizcaino is tearing it up for the Braves. I still wish we had held on to him. I hope LaStella does something someday to change my mind.

Carlito: While I appreciate that Viz is having a nice little run - he is (as CRUNCH would say) another arm injury from being done. And, I am curious what his stats are at the end of the season. Plus factor in Playoff atmosphere every game as opposed to playing for the Braves right now. Unlke a positional player, like All Star DJ LeMeheiu (.316. .377 .406), who we traded for a bucket of balls, I am still bummed about that(and Theo agrees). I will put my money on CEdwards coming up in September, and we can get to see what he looks lke.

Recent comments

  • Charlie (view)

    I worry that Morel will lose starts at 3B as long as this roster lacks a compelling DH.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I think if you had ranked players by how much the team could ill afford to have them miss significant time, Steele would be right at the top of the list.

  • crunch (view)

    steele MRI on friday.  counsell expects an IL stint.

    no current plans for his rotation replacement.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    I would say also in the bright side column is Busch looked pretty good overall at the plate. Alzolay…man, that hurts but most of the time he’s not giving up a homer to that guy. To me the worst was almonte hanging that pitch to Garcia. He hung another one to the next hitter too and got away with it on an 0-1. 

  • crunch (view)

    amaya blocked like 6-8 of smyly's pitches in the dirt very cleanly...not even an exaggeration, smyly threw a ton of pitches bouncing in tonight.

    neris looking like his old self was a relief (no pun), too.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In looking for bright spots the defense was outstanding tonight. The “stars” are going to need to shine quite a bit brighter than they did tonight offensively though for this to be a successful season.

  • Eric S (view)

    Good baseball game. Hopefully Steele is pitching again in April (but I’m not counting on it). 

  • crunch (view)

    boo.

  • crunch (view)

    smyly to face the 2/3/4 hitters with a man on 2nd in extras.

    this doesn't seem like a 8 million dollar managerial decision.

  • crunch (view)

    i 100% agree with you, but i dunno how jed wants to run things.  the default is delay.  i would choose brown.

    like hellfrozeover says, could be smyly since he's technically fresh and stretched.

    anyway, on a pure talent basis....brown is the best option.