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

TCR Friday Notes

Submitted by Rob G. on

A somewhat-weekly tour of Cubs' related links...

- Reader Virginia Phil spotted that infielder Justin Sellers was now with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A quick peak at Baseball America shows that he was dealt for a player to be named later a few weeks back. Sellers along with Richie Robnett were acquired for Michael "2.35 ERA, Hasn't walked a guy in 7.2 IP" Wuertz over the offseason (I'll work on the nickname).

- Some video and amateur scouting of Cubs' prospects down in Peoria including Josh Vitters and Ryan Flaherty at The Hardball Times courtesy of Colin Wyers.

-  Harry at Cubs F/x graphs the loss of velocity over the last few seasons by Rich Harden. 

-  Reader "DougDascenzo" has started a petition to stop the "Luna Jingle" from playing at Wrigley Field. I had no idea what any of this was until the last 5 minutes of Google research, but apparently it's becoming quite the controversy. I'm all for grassroots movements,  so go sign the petition and then donate $250,000 to TCR so we can buy a part of the Cubs. You'll be a part of history.

- Speaking of controversy...there's the Milton Bradley drama. First, he goes to Lou and says he's not 100% and Lou says he won't play him until he is 100%. As reader "Real Neal" pointed out, Lou didn't have much problems playing Alfonso Soriano over parts of the last two years(or Rich Harden for that matter), so that don't smell right . That being said, Milton's injury looks like it has more of a chance of getting worse than Soriano's did with more playing time, so maybe there is something there. And to Soriano's credit he seemed to go all out on the leg, just with a limp while Bradley was clearly struggling to move on Wednesday night. Plus Lou may still be peeved that Bradley didn't just take the 2-day suspension and get it all over it. Also, part of that conversation was urging Milton to talk to the media.

So Milton then calls Carrie Muskat over and tells her that he doesn't want to talk to media. Hey, mission accomplished. Part of the story says the Cubs' media relation director Peter Chase encouraged him to talk to the media which I guess went something like this.

PC: Hey Milton, your not doing yourselves any favors by not talking to the press. They'll just turn the fans against you.

MB: But they ask really dumb questions and Sullivan smells funny. Plus they have a vendetta against me.

PC: Alright, go talk to Carrie Muskat. She'll reprint everything verbatim, walk your dog for you and babysit your kids later. She won't even mention the 1-23 streak your on.

MB: That's a she? Shit. Okay.

The rest of the beat writers, particularly Gordon Wittenmyer, take offense to the whole thing and there's still 5-6 months left of this season and 2-3 years on Bradley's contract and I'm already over the drama. We knew he wasn't going to play 162 games, I myself was hoping for 120-140, so put the guy on the DL already. He already said he's not close to being back and the Cubs need to make sure that third year option doesn't kick in automatically.

Enjoy the weekend!

Tags
Friday Notes
Milton Bradley

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:19 pm

I feel a bit bad about the cheap shot on Muskat in there but I couldn't resist.

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Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:34 pm

If Muskat reads TCR (or any other Cubs blogs for that matter), she 1. hasn't learned anything about sports writing from it, and 2. either has absurdly thick skin or is on a truck load of anti-depressants.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:00 pm

Musket or someone who seemed like they may have been pretending to be her posted a couple years ago when we were all calling her 'Muskrat'. She seems like a generally nice person, so the vitrol that gets thrown around here may be a turn-off for her.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:18 pm

Hah that's funny. I always thought she came off as a person who can barely grasp the fundamentals of her profession in her mailbags. She gives some stupid fucking answers to some stupid fucking questions, but she is the one picking the questions...

Submitted by Charlie on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:35 pm

The Cubs better be paying for the entire payroll with that jingle money. That's pure, concentrated obnoxious.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:55 pm

Here's a link to an article from Crain's Chicago Business about the Luna jingle: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?page_id=2317&plckCont… Mattew Wszolek, the Cubs marketing director, somehow compares it to playing "Rubberband Man" every time Carlos Marmol comes into the game. Is he serious? This guy is a completely disingenuous slimeball with the way he's trying to spin this and make it sound like some sort of fun tradition at Wrigley. If anyone knows how to obtain his email address, or even just a generic Cubs email address that he might get, I'd love to send a formal complaint somewhere, since he thinks it's ok because only "the media and bloggers" have complained so far (never mind the fact they're the only ones with a voice to complain since the Cubs' website doesn't list his email address).

Submitted by The Joe on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:03 pm

1. Sports journalists can eat a scrotum. Preferably not mine. Get over your fucking selves. 2. I am always in favor of Carrie Mustache jokes. That one was funny. 3. "First, he goes to Lou and says he's not 100% and Lou says he won't play him until he is 100%. As reader "Real Neal" pointed out, Lou didn't have much problems playing Alfonso Soriano over parts of the last two years, so that don't smell right..." Bradley goes out there an plays while still injured. Clearly he's favoring the injury and/or 'dogging' it. Lou says, "You're not playing until your 100%"...ie "You play like shit when you're not 100%". I don't really see that as a contradiction with his handling of Soriano. Bradley is in no way helping the team by playing (in the field or with the bad). 4. The enemy is syphilis.

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Submitted by Ryno on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:27 pm

Isn't a groin injury the thing that put Nomar down back several years ago? Clearly his injury was a different intensity, but still, it can't feel good. Either way, I think I'm willing to give Bradley the benefit of the doubt because 1. I think people are allowed to screw up and be given a fresh start, and 2. he played pretty hard in the Astros series and didn't "dog it". There's what? Over 130 games left this year? It's a long season, fellas, let's see Bradley bust out of this slump before we jump on the "that's just Bradley being Bradley" bandwagon. And I also don't mind him taking 3rd-pitch strikes sometimes. At least he makes opposing pitchers throw strikes: That's better than what some of these batters are doing.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:43 pm

Isn't a groin injury the thing that put Nomar down back several years ago? ---- Nomar tore the groin muscles off their attachment to the pelvis and they decided to surgically clean up the tissues (not often done except in really bad tears) whereas Bradley's injury is in the muscles further distal in the upper thigh and probably is a grade 1 injury. They are graded in a 1-3 scale, grade 1 means tissue injury without stretch. Grade 2 is with stretch but not separation. Grade 3 tear with a gap/separation. Groin strain means injury to the adductor muscles to be medically accurate. There are 3 including adductor longus, brevis and magnus. http://health-pictures.com/muscle/images/groin-muscles.jpg These are easy to re-injure and even grade one injuries can take 2-6 weeks to fully recover. The concerns and treatment are nearly identical to a pulled quadriceps or hamstring or calf (gastrocnemius) except for the differences related to the anatomic region. So in that context we've discussed this before wrt Soriano quite a bit (hamstrings, calf and quad).

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:56 pm

"The concerns and treatment are nearly identical to a pulled quadriceps or hamstring or calf (gastrocnemius) except for the differences related to the anatomic region." Another head-scratcher for WTF DID THEY NOT DL HIM?! It is so early in the season. What possible benefit does he give to the team looking at strike three every AB? And, as MANNY indicated, according to CUBSTER'S post, can't he do more potential damage swinging at 95mph heaters?

[ ]

Submitted by Chifan on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:18 pm

I think they are either: 1. Scared if they put him on the DL, he will throw a fit that they are gipping him out of the option year being guarnteed. 2. They honestly feel that a hobbled Milton Bradley is a better pinch hitter than anyone down on the farm. 3. Or most sinister, they reliaze that they made one big ass mistake by signing him and hope that in one of pinch hitting apperences he finishes the job on the pulled groin muscle causing him to go on the DL long enough to unguarntee the 3rd year. 4. Either Jimbo or Lou are in our pre-season contest and have someone rather than Bradley as their first DL casulity and want to win enough to keep him active until somebody else goes on the DL, there by screwing over the pluraty of respondents who picked Bradley. They also likely had Shark as the first call to the farm candidate, which also explains the head scratching Waste 3.5 million to dump on effective (so far) reliever to call up our best SP prospect who needs to develop a 3rd pitch in AAA move.

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:00 pm

I have been a proponent of Hendry's trades and FA/Manager signings, cir. 2007/2008 - but really, after reading AZ PHIL regularly, and this latest Bradley groin bullshit - the organization just does not seem to know what they are doing with regard to the ins and outs of roster management. It is really odd seeing as that the Cubs are perhaps the third most popular team in baseball, and their payroll is perhaps 4th.

Submitted by Cubster on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:04 pm

can't he do more potential damage swinging at 95mph heaters? --- Nomar's injury was due to slipping about 2-3 steps out of the batters box as he accelerates after a swing. I recall it as an acute event and he just crumpled in obvious pain. I think that might be the most problematic area to worry about although it probably hurts to swing and miss (his expertise seems to be more in taking called strikes just out of the strike zone). Also rounding 2nd/3rd base could be an issue if he ever got that far...hasn't happened often enough to worry about that yet.

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Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:28 pm

My memory was that it happened in the batter's box as he was driving to take his first step. If Mia Hamm was my wife, I would probably be on the DL constant with groin pulls as well. Can't really blame the guy.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:29 pm

I don't remember Soriano going 100%. I know he stopped stealing bases, and I think I recall him turning some doubles into singles and I remember Jacque busting his but to cover for him when Jacque was in center. *edit - dur.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:44 pm

to me Soriano looked like he was pushing his leg as much as it could go, many times I thought to myself that I was worried he'd pull something again and should back off...

Bradley on the other hand seemed to obviously be protecting himself...and I'm not blaming him for it, but he was certainly being very cautious on Wednesday night.

it's probably just the nature of the injuries and I'm not really blaming Bradley, same when I could care less if Aramis runs out a grounder on a bad groin either.

but they should totally DL him so his 3rd year isn't automatic...

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:05 pm

stream of consciousness...Bradley is a rare & delicate flower...Gallagher sent to Sacramento by the A's; they're due in Des Moines in about a month - if he's still there will be interesting to see if he can encore a game I saw him pitch in our ballpark just about a year ago; a real gem right before he came up as I recall...about 12 years ago Muskat's brother was our backyard neighbor here in DM; once helped him move in some new furniture - how 'bout that ol' circle of life, huh?

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:09 pm

Who would have guessed that almost all of these offseason moves really sucked?

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:58 pm

Rich Hill pitching tonight in Frederick, MD. From Roch Kubatko (an Oriole writer/blogger) yesterday:
If you're curious about seeing Rich Hill on a mound, facing live hitters, in an actual game setting, without palm trees in the distance, you can drive to Harry Grove Stadium tomorrow and check him out. Hill will oppose the Potomac Nationals at 7 p.m. in his first injury rehab start. The Orioles have him on a 60-65 pitch count. Here's hoping it takes more than one or two innings to reach it. Hill was the MVP of the Triple-A All-Star Game in 2006. The Orioles would settle for having him occupy a spot in the backend of their rotation. Over the last two seasons, the Keys have made room in their clubhouse for Miguel Tejada, Chris Ray and Steve Trachsel during rehab stints. And to answer a reader's question from yesterday, a corresponding roster move isn't required when a major league player is added. The Keys will be one over the limit for the one night that Hill pitches.
Hill managed not to throw a single pitch in a game in spring training. This is really his Oriole debut. I expect he'll be wild. If not, then that Dunn-Kranitz medicine really does work.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 04:25 pm

My wife had a great idea. She isn't a baseball fan but was appalled that a mother and father with the last name of "Bradley" would name their son Milton. She said, "who would do such a thing? No wonder he's angry. Why doesn't he just change his name? He'll feel a lot better." Most in-game comments have to do with things like uniform fashion and hair styles (Samardzija -- "please tell me that's not a mullet") so this is actually pretty good stuff. I think that could make a great contest. Milton Bradley's new name.

Submitted by JoeAnne on Mon, 07/27/2009 - 07:45 pm

Nice interview I have to say. I`m happy to be reading your web page now and I tried for the whole day to post a comment and I`m gland I finally managed. While I was going to a chevy trucks shop I manage to assist at this interview you posted above and I wanted to share with you this feeling. You don`t have this chance many times in a life.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • 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.

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