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

Rockie Road for Cubs at Fitch Park

The EXST Cubs managed just four hits, as the EXST Rockies blanked the Cubs 7-0 in Opening Day Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Fitch Park Field #3 this afternoon in Mesa.

On a rehab assignment at Fitch Park believed to be related to arm fatigue first detected in Spring Training, Iowa Cubs RHP Jay Jackson got the start for the Cubs and threw 2.1 IP (44 pitches), allowing one unearned run on four singles, while striking out four (one looking and three swinging). He had good velocity on his fastball, and he threw strikes.

I-Cubs RF Brad Snyder (strained oblique) is also on a rehab assignment at Fitch, and he played RF and hit third in each of the first three innings, lining out to left in the bottom of the 1st, doubling off the LF fence with two outs in the bottom of the 2nd, and grounding into a 4-6-3 DP to end the 3rd.

RHP Ty’Relle Harris (acquired from ATL in the Derrek Lee trade last summer) had stamina and velocity issues at Minor League Camp, and so he was assigned to Fitch Park to work on strengthening his arm. Like J. Jackson and Snyder, Harris saw game action today, and while he was a bit wild (throwing only only 50% strikes), he did retire all five men he faced (a swinging strikeout, followed by a 4-3, a 6-3, a P-3, and an L-7).

Cubs 2010 7th round draft pick HHP Ben Wells threw two innings today, allowing a single and a two-run HR before retiring the side in his first inning of work, and a triple and an RBI single before completing his second inning.

Several players have arrived at Fitch Park from the Cubs Dominican Academy in Boca Chica since the end of Minor League Camp, but only one (19-year old OF Eduardo Gonzalez) got into today’s game. The new arrivals join catchers Johan DeJesus, Brian Inoa, and Hector Suarez, who made their U. S. debut at Minor League Camp. (Cuban defectors OF Rubi Silva and C Yaniel Cabezas are also making their U. S. debut in 2011, with Silva assigned to Peoria and Cabezas presently at Extended Spring Training). 

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

NOTE: Brad Snyder played RF and was the third batter in the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings

LINEUP:
X. Brad Snyder, RF: 1-3 (L-7, 2B, 4-6-3 DP)
1a. Oliver Zapata, CF: 0-2 (F-7, 4-3)
1b. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 0-0 (BB, BB)
2a. Pin-Chieh Chen, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, 6-3)
2b. Vismeldy Bieneme, 2B: 1-2 (1B, 4-6 FC)
3a. Reggie Golden, DH-RF: 0-1 (K)
3b. Dong-Yub Kim, PH-DH: 1-2 (1B, 5-4 FC)
4a. Yaniel Cabezas, C: 0-2 (3-U, F-9)
4b. Jesus Morelli, RF: 0-1 (5-4-3 DP)
5. Xavier Batista, DH-RF-1B: 0-3 (6-3, K, 5-3)
6a. Wilson Contreras, 3B: 0-1 (5-3, BB)
6b. Max Kwan, C: 0-1 (K)
7a. Wes Darvill, SS: 1-1 (1B, BB)
7b. Dustin Harrington, 3B: 0-1 (4-3)
8a. Blair Springfield, LF: 0-2 (4-3, 1-5 FC)
8b. Marco Hernandez, SS: 0-1 (4-3)
9a. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 0-2 (F-8, 4-6-3 DP)
9b. Eduardo Gonzalez, LF: 0-1 (F-7)

PITCHERS:
1. Jay Jackson: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 44 pitches (31 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO
2. Ty’Relle Harris: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 24 pitches (12 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
3. Ben Wells: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 32 pitches (21 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
4. Yao-Lin Wang: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 37 pitches (24 strikes), 0/1 GO/FO
5. Charles Thomas: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 23 pitches (15 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO

ERRORS: 1
SS Wes Darvill E-6 – throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely – eventually scored unearned run

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Yaniel Cabezas: 0-2 CS
2. Max Kwan: 1-1 CS

OUTFIELD ASSISTS: 1
CF Oliver Zapata: Batter-runner thrown out 8-2-4 trying advance to 2nd base on play at the plate.

ATTENDANCE: 15

WEATHER: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 70’s

Comments

Goddamn Quade. The honeymoon is wearing off pretty fast for me. And, I want to also thank Jim Hendry for spending the Cubs $10MM wisely for Carlos Pena. The only saving grace is his glove - that and it is only a 1-year deal. Freaking Lyle Overbay is outperforming him in every offensive category, at half the salary. I HATE Jim Hendry.

As always, these updates are appreciated tremendously, AZPhil. That's great news about Jay Jackson getting his velocity back. I see that Cabeza allowed 2 SBs in 2 attempts. In your opinion were these on him, or did the pitcher allow the runners to get good jumps? IIRC, BA said Cabeza had Yadier Molina type potential behind the plate.

[ ]

In reply to by Hrubes20

Submitted by Hrubes20 on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:17am. As always, these updates are appreciated tremendously, AZPhil. That's great news about Jay Jackson getting his velocity back. I see that Cabeza allowed 2 SBs in 2 attempts. In your opinion were these on him, or did the pitcher allow the runners to get good jumps? IIRC, BA said Cabeza had Yadier Molina type potential behind the plate. ====================================== HRUBES: I don't see the defensive skills (at least not yet). He had two passed balls today and another SB allowed, too.

Recent comments

  • 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. 

  • 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?