Fourth Minor League Option

Most players get only three minor league options, but a player who has accrued less than five "full seasons" is eligible for a 4th minor league option.

For the purpose of determining eligibility for a 4th minor league option, a player accrues a "full season" when he spends at least 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs in a given season, or (in seasons prior to 2012) spends at least 60 days but less than 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days or (beginning with the 2012 season) spends at least 30 days but less than 90 days on the Active List of an MLB and/or minor league club or clubs followed by an Injured List assignment where the combined time spent on the Active List and the Injured List equals at least 90 days.   
NOTE: Days spent on Optional Assignment to a club's Spring Training Complex in September count as active days toward determining eligibility for a 4th minor league option. 
CoViD-19 EXCEPTION: With regard to a player's eligibility for a 4th minor league option year in 2021 (and beyond), days spent on Optional Assignment in 2020 counted for nothing, and days spent on an MLB Active List and MLB inactive lists (IL, FMLA/Bereavement, Paternity Leave, et al) counted and were calculated at the prorated 2020 MLB Service Time rate (one day equals 2.78 days of MLB Service Time).

If a player qualifies for a 4th minor league option year, the 4th option is available during Spring Training and for the entire MLB regular season. 

CUBS ELIGIBLE FOR 4TH MINOR LEAGUE OPTION: (updated 11-18-2022)
Kevin Alcantara, OF (in 2026 - see NOTE)
Miguel Amaya, C (in 2023 - see NOTE)
Ben Brown, RHP (in 2026 - see NOTE
Alexander Canario, OF (in 2024 - see NOTE)
Caleb Kilian, RHP (in 2025 - see NOTE
Christopher Morel, INF (in 2024 - see NOTE)
Manuel Rodriguez, RHP (in 2023 - see NOTE)
Seiya Suzuki, OF (in 2026 - see NOTE
NOTE:  Amaya and M. Rodriguez are eligible for a fourth minor league option in 2023, Canario and C. Morel will be eligible for a fourth minor league option in 2024 if the third option is spent in 2023, Kilian will be eligible for a fourth minor league option in 2025 if the third option is spent in 2024, and Alcantara, B. Brown, and Suzuki will be eligible for a fourth minor league option in 2026 if the third option is spent in 2025.

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 60-DAY IL   

31 players
are on the MLB ACTIVE LIST (26-man limit in effect on MLB Opening Day)

8 players signed to minor league contracts are Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

CUBS MLB SPRING TRAINING ACTIVE LIST
: 39 

Last updated 3-23-2023
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 16
Adbert Alzolay
Javier Assad 
Brad Boxberger
Michael Fulmer
Kyle Hendricks
* Brandon Hughes
Julian Merryweather
Michael Rucker
Adrian Sampson
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele 
Marcus Stroman
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski
Rowan Wick

NRI PITCHERS: 6 
* Ryan Borucki  
Tyler Duffey 
* Roenis Elias  
* Anthony Kay  
Mark Leiter Jr 
Vinny Nittoli 

CATCHERS: 2 
* Tucker Barnhart 
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 1  
Luis Torrens 

INFIELDERS: 9
Nico Hoerner
* Eric Hosmer
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
* Zach McKinstry
Christopher Morel
* Edwin Rios
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

NRI INFIELDERS
NONE   

OUTFIELDERS: 4 
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Trey Mancini 
Seiya Suzuki 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1
* Mike Tauchman   

OPTIONED: 9
Keven Alcantara, OF 
Miguel Amaya, C 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Jeremiah Estrada, P 
Ryan Jensen, P 
Caleb Kilian, P
Nelson Velazquez, OF 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Codi Heuer, P 
Ethan Roberts, P
  



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents