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

Morelli Hit Streak at 18, But A's Edge Cubs

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Cody Shields had three hits, an RBI, and an outfield assist, Wes Darvill reached base three times on two singles and a walk, and Jesus Morelli extended his hitting streak to 18 games, but Eduardo Figueroa and Jose Rosario were tagged to the tune of seven runs on ten hits (including two doubles and a HR) and four walks in five combined innings, as the EXST A’s edged the EXST Cubs 7-6 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Papago Park Field #2 in Phoenix this morning. The game was pre-planned as a ten-inning affair, to allow more pitchers to get work.

RHP Chris Huseby started the game for the Cubs and threw one inning (24 pitches – 12 strikes). He walked the first man he faced on four pitches, and the next batter on six pitches, and then the third hitter grounded a single to RF on a 2-0 pitch to load the bases. But then just like he did two days ago, Huseby somehow wiggled out of the jam, striking out the next two hitters on eight pitches, before getting the final out on a broken bat pop up to short on an 0-2 pitch, leaving the bases loaded.

Huseby still has trouble throwing his fastball for strikes (most all of them end up high & outside), but he is able to get his curve ball over the plate virtually at will, and so when he can get ahead of a hitter with his breaking ball, he can use his ultra-wild head-high fastball as a strikeout pitch (or at least that’s how he’s been doing it the last two times out).

The Cubs continue to have a problem with runners making the first or third out of an inning (especially the third out) at 3rd base. Today speedster Cody Shields ripped a two-out line-drive into the LF corner, but was thrown out trying to stretch the double into a triple, getting nailed at 3rd base just a split second after the slower Richard Jones scored. In previous games, the Cubs have actually had runs disallowed because a faster runner made a third out at 3rd base before the runner ahead had a chance to cross the plate.

While I realize that the Cubs have a lot of fast players at Extended Spring Training who like to be aggressive running the bases, there’s aggressive, and then there is stupid. This habit must be broken.

Here is today’s abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 1-4 (5-3, F-8, F-8, 1B, BB, R)
2. Arismendy Alcantara, SS: 1-5 (1B, E-4, K, E-4, 4-U FC, 2 R, CS)
3. Jesus Morelli, DH #1: 1-5 (F-8, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 1B, RBI, R)
4. Xavier Batista, RF: 1-4 (K, K, L-5, F-9 SF, 2B, 2 RBI)
5. Richard Jones, 1B: 2-4 (K, 1B, 1-3, 1B, F-9 SF, RBI, R)
6a. Sergio Burruel, C: 1-2 (1B, F-7)
6b. Jose Guevara, C: 0-2 (K, L-8)
7. Cody Shields, LF: 3-4 (1B, 2B, K, 1B, RBI)
8. George Matheus, 3B: 1-4 (K, K, E-6, 1B)
9. Blair Springfield, DH #2: 0-3 (K, HBP, K, 6-4-3 GIDP)
10. Wes Darvill, SS: 2-3 (BB, 1B, 1B, F-7, R)

PITCHERS:
1. Chris Huseby – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 24 pitches (12 strikes)
2. Eduardo Figueroa – 3.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/5 GO/FO, 68 pitches (38 strikes)
3. Jose Rosario – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2/3 GO/FO, 37 pitches (18 strikes)
4. Rogelio Carmona - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 3/1 GO/FO, 32 pitches (16 strikes)
5. Drew Rundle - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 17 pitches (11 strikes)
6. Corey Martin - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 15 strikes (9 strikes)

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Sergio Burruel: 0-2 CS
2. Jose Guevara: 1-2 CS

OUTFIELD ASSIST:
 Cody Shields threw out runner 7-5 trying advance from 1st to 3rd on a single to LF

ATTENDANCE: 7

WEATHER: Sunny, breezy, and hot, with temperatures in the 90’s

Tags
Extended Spring Training
Chris Huseby
EXST Cubs
Jesus Morelli
Wes Darvill
Eduardo Figueroa
Cody Shields
Jose Rosario

Comments

Submitted by Hagsag on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:45 pm

Az Phil , can you explain the significants of the July 2 International signing day? I see the Cubs have signed about 26 new players for the two DSL teams. Is there a differant group of players eligible at that time? Thanks.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:36 pm

Submitted by Hagsag on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 4:45pm. Az Phil , can you explain the significants of the July 2 International signing day? I see the Cubs have signed about 26 new players for the two DSL teams. Is there a differant group of players eligible at that time? Thanks. =================================== HAGSAG: The International Signing Period that begins on July 2 ONLY applies to International players (essentially Latin players from countries where compulsory education ends at age 16) who turn 16 during the period extending from the end of the previous International Signing Period up through August 31st. Players who turn 16 during the period extending from the end of the previous International Signing Period (August 31st) and July 2nd can sign beginning on July 2nd, and players who turn 16 after July 2nd can be signed starting on their birthday. All other International players can be signed at any time. Also, a player who turned 16 after the end of the previous International Signing Period can be signed prior to July 2nd IF the player turns 17 prior to the completion of his first minor league season. In other words, an MLB club can sign a 16-year old if the player is placed on the Reserve List of a minor league club whose regular season ends after the player turns 17, even if that date is after August 31st. Note that on the DSL Cubs #1 roster there is a player named Gabriel Jimenez, whose listed birthday is 9-26-93, which means he turned 16 AFTER the end of the last International Signing Period, and won't turn 17 until after all of the Cubs minor league teams have completed their 2010 regular season schedules, such that he can't be signed until July 2, 2010. The ONLY way the Cubs could have signed such a player prior to the start of the 2010 International Signing Period (July 2nd) is if Jimenez was signed to a Major League contract and was placed on the Cubs 40-man roster (which we know did not happen). Which means either the DOB listed for Jimenez is incorrect, or the rule was changed without any public announcement being made. As to why the Cubs signed so many Latin players over the past three months, the Cubs Dominican Academy at Boca Chica operates tryouts and Spring Training during that time (March through May), so that's when new players are most-likely to be signed (and when older Latin players are most-likely to get released).

[ ]

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:29 pm

AZ Phil, I just read in a Baseball America Update about a Dom. Rep. signing that Dominicans don't have to wait for MLB approval to start playing for any DSL team. If that's true, Jimenez would be able to play for us in the DR, but nowhere else for us. BTW: I hate to say it, but the Cubs need to breakup the roster if any clubs are willing to give back money and prospects. People might say it's too early, but our North-Siders are playing with no enthusiam at all. Rami and DLee are near their end, Lilly was throwing 78 MPH Fastballs last night (and I did not mistake those pitches for changeups), Grabow strained his "Lou", Samardzija is a rich I-Cub, Fukudome is beginning his normal summer snide, Theriot's pissed he lost his Arb case, Big Z is Big Z and Soto was possiby another Cub Rookie flash in the pan (Jerome Walton). Ricketts has to be thinking dump salary. These guys just aren't good to watch. No Life!!! All of this is a result of the sale of the team. We drove up the payroll in an attempt to raise interest and playoff possibilities. Now that that is all over, I think we'll see the Cubs tail-off a little. These guys had their run, and honestly we fans have been spoiled here of late. We have had five winning seasons in seven years. It sounds as though Ricketts is serious is about producing talent from within. That would be a drastic change from past years. We already had a game this year where we started four position players from our system and had three pitches play as well. I know I haven't seen that before. The perennially solid teams (NYY, STL, BOS, LAD, LAA, MIN) always have talent playing that have always worn the same cap. Anyway, go Cubs.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:24 pm

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 6:29pm. AZ Phil, I just read in a Baseball America Update about a Dom. Rep. signing that Dominicans don't have to wait for MLB approval to start playing for any DSL team. If that's true, Jimenez would be able to play for us in the DR, but nowhere else for us. ====================================== CHILDERS: But if Gabriel Jimenez's birthday really is indeed 9-26-93, the Cubs wouldn't be able to sign him until July 2, 2010, because he turns 17 AFTER all of the Cubs minor league teams have completed their 2010 regular season schedule. The only team in the organization still playing regular season games on September 26 is the Chicago Cubs, and Jimenez was not signed to a Major League Contract and he was not added to the Cubs 40-man roster.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:52 pm

Submitted by Sweet Lou on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 5:46pm. Phil -- Are you hearing anything new about Arizona's efforts to keep the Cubs in Mesa/Arizona? ======================================== SWEET LOU: Only that the Mesa mayor is talking to the other Maricopa County mayors with Spring Training clubs to try to find a way to get funding that by-passes the state legislature, which is dead in the water right now. Probably the only way the Cubs stay in Arizona (Mesa) is if the Cubs don't use the July 12th opt-out date to make a new deal with Naples. Mesa is going to need more time, and the Cubs might be smart to push this whole thing down the road, even if it means going year-to-year with Mesa beyond 2011. But if the Cubs decide in July that they want to go to Naples, they should be able to do so. Mesa is not presently in a position to do anything about it.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:04 pm

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicagocubs/post/_/id/1091/piniella-defends-dec…
"We were looking for two outs [from Lilly] then I was going to get [Carlos] Marmol in," Piniella said of Lilly, who had retired Walker in three previous at-bats on Tuesday. "I don't want to get in the habit of throwing Marmol 35 or 40 pitches to save a baseball game. I just don't."
~snip~
"I never dreamed home run," Piniella said. "Never gave it a thought."

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:28 pm

I'm sure I'm the minority here, but I actually root against no-hitters unless it's a Cub pitching or some other pitcher I really like. The less there are in the game, the more special they are when do happen. apparently Joyce feels the same way...as did Froemming when he made that call against Pappas back in the day.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:08 pm

joyce quotes are starting to roll in... “I just cost that kid a perfect game,” Joyce said. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.” “It was the biggest call of my career,” said Joyce, who became a full-time major league umpire in 1989. ----- “I don’t blame them a bit or anything that was said,” Joyce said. “I would’ve said it myself if I had been Galarraga. I would’ve been the first person in my face, and he never said a word to me.”

Submitted by Cubster on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 06:02 pm

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100602&content_id=10… The storm, which included a brief tornado warning and excessive lightning for nearly two hours, had stopped by the time the game was called. However, there was so much water gathered on the warning track that both teams agreed the field was not suitable for play. There was more rain expected to arrive in Pittsburgh later in the evening, too. The Pirates' grounds crew spent over an hour trying to squeegee the water off the warning track before the final call was made. By that time, members of both organizations -- including managers John Russell and Lou Piniella -- had huddled together in center field after evaluating the outfield conditions. The call to postpone the game officially came at 10:17 p.m. ET. No makeup date has been announced yet.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • 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. 

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