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, 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

It's Burke's Law

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

LHP (ex-OF) Kyler Burke threw three innings of no run/no hit ball with five strikeouts and Jeimer Candelario and Dan Vogelbach cracked back-to-back RBI singles in the top of the 8th to tie the game at 3-3, but the Mariners pushed across a run in the bottom of the 8th to take back the lead and added three more in a tack-on 9th to defeat the Cubs 7-3 in AZ Instructional League action this afternoon at Mariners Field #2 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, AZ.

The game was extended an extra half-inning so that Cubs LHRP Andrew McKirahan could get his pre-scheduled one inning of work, but he probably wishes the team had just gone home after the top of the 9th with a 4-3 loss because he surrendered two long home runs (one to Phillips Castillo and the other to Jaban Blash) in the bottom of the 9th,

In addition to his game-tying RBI single, Dan Vogelbach walked three more times today, giving him seven walks in his last 12 Plate Appearances (over three games). So far at Instructs, Vogelbach is hitting just .241, but with a 406 OBP.

And with a triple and a single today, 17-year old switch-hitting 3B Jeimer Candelario is now hitting a robust 333/379/518.

While the Cubs were playing the Matiners in an AZ Instructional League game on Mariners Field #2, Goodyear (Reds/Indians) was playing Peoria (Padres/Mariners) in an AZ Parallel League (APL) game on Mariners Field #1.

The APL (AKA "Advanced Instructional League") is designed for players too advanced for traditional Instructs, but not advanced enough for the Arizona Fall League (AFL). At present only the MLB clubs that have their minor league HQ based in a shared facility in western Maricopa County (CIN & CLE in Goodyear, CHW & LAD in Glendale, SEA & SD in Peoria, and TEX & KC in Surprise) are fielding teams in the APL.

It would be more complicated for MLB clubs based in eastern Maricopa County to field an APL team, because five of the seven east-side teams (LAA, MIL, OAK, SF, and the CUBS) do not share a facility with another MLB organization.

Here is the abridged box score from today's Cubs-Mariners AZ Instructional League game (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 1-2 (K, 1B, BB, BB, R, RBI)
2a. Yaniel Cabezas, C-DH: 0-3 (F-8, 4-3, 6-3 DP)
2b. Justin Marra, PH: 0-0 (BB, R)
3. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 2-4 (3B, 4-3, 6-3, 1B, RBI)
4. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-1 (BB, BB, BB, 1B, RBI)
5. Neftali Rosario, DH-C: 0-4 (P-4, K, 6-3 DP, 5-U FC)
6a. Shawon Dunston, Jr, LF: 0-3 (K, F-8, K)
6b. Trey Martin, LF: 0-1 (E-5)
7. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-4 (P-6, F-8, K, F-7)
8. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 0-3 (L-4, BB, E-5, 6-3, R)
9. Mark Malave, DH #2: 1-4 (3-U, 1B, F-8, K)
10. Garrett Schlecht, RF: 0-3 (K, BB, 2-3, K)

PITCHERS:
1. Kyler Burke: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 39 pitches (25 strikes), 2/2 GO/FO
2. David Henrie: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 33 pitches (19 strikes), 1/4 GO/FO
3. Ian Dickson: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 23 pitches (16 strikes), 2/3 GO/FO
4. Jose Rosario: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 31 pitches (14 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
5. Andrew McKirahan: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 1 PO, 22 pitches (13 strikes)
NOTE: Add-on bottom of the 9th was stopped with two outs when McKirahan reached his pre-planned pitch limit

ERRORS: NONE

CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Yaniel Cabezas: 0-2 CS
2. Neftali Rosario: 0-2 CS

ATTENDANCE: 22

WEATHER: Partly cloudy and VERY breezy with temperatures in the 70’s

Tags
Kyler Burke
Cubs Minor Leaguers
Andrew McKirahan
Dan Vogelbach
Jeimer Candelario
AZ Parallel League
AZ Instructional League

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:41 pm

Wainwright-less in the LCS, I hate them so much, so, so much. I'll take Det vs. Mil which means it will be Cardinals vs. Rangers

[ ]

Submitted by toonsterwu on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:39 pm

I'll go Milwaukee vs. Texas. Texas just looks too well-rounded right now. Over a 7 game series, not sure Detroit can overcome their balance. That said, Detroit's Benoit/Valverde tag team is nasty, so if they can build a lead, get enough SP, who knows. I think Milwaukee's pitching will be too much for St. Louis, though.

[ ]

Submitted by John Beasley on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:37 am

That seems like a fair read, but don't underestimate what Detroit has in the rotation. 1-4 I think I'll take the Tigers rotation over the Rangers. Scherzer has come on nicely, Fister is having a breakout year, and Porcello is inconsistent but has the potential to dominate any one game. The real problem with the Tigers is that the offense is hot and cold. You know the Rangers are going to score at least some runs, so they need to be consistent enough to get 4 of 7. The Rangers probably won't score than less than 3 runs more than once in the series.

[ ]

Submitted by Dr. aaron b on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:53 pm

On a related note.....Does any team make more sense than Milwaukee for Aramis? Figure that Mat Gamel at first and Aramis at 3rd will be at least the production of Fielder and Casey Mc provided this year. Gives them at least one more year to keep that window open.

[ ]

Submitted by toonsterwu on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 10:44 pm

I'd argue Anaheim makes as much sense, if not more, than Milwaukee. They desperately need a middle of the order run producer. Even with some bad contracts, you could still occasionally hide Aramis' defense by DH'ing him.

[ ]

Submitted by toonsterwu on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 10:41 pm

I thought it then, but I thought the Greinke trade was a steal for Milwaukee. I did not like the talent KC got for him. I wasn't a big fan of the Marcum trade since they gave up Lawrie for him, and Lawrie looks like he's going to be a superb offensive player.

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:22 pm

AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance?

[ ]

Submitted by toonsterwu on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:38 pm

my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:41 am

Submitted by toonsterwu on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:38pm. my hunch is that it's too early. First, Burke doesn't have to be protected until after 2012. 2nd, this is instruct work and Burke hasn't done anything to suggest that he could definitively move up the ladder quickly. 3rd, there's simply enough lefties ahead for pen duties that it seems quite unnecessary to force such an action. I mean, in Marshall, Russell, Beliveau, Gaub, Maine, there's more than enough pen lefties in the upper levels. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs gave Burke a rotation slot in Daytona to start 2012, though. Would give them some flexibility on his future while continuing his development against tougher competition, giving them a better gauge of his potential as a pitcher. ================================== TOONSTER: Conventional wisdom when Kyler Burke moved to pitcher at the end of Minor L:eague Camp last March was that he would eventually be a lefty reliever, and while that still might be the case, I am beginning to believe that he might project as a lefty starter. He has an assortment of pitches (mid-90's fastball, plus-curve, and a change-up, and I think he is throwing a harder breaking ball now, too), and he seems to have the stamina to throw multiple innngs without losing anything off his fastball or breaking ball. Although he is eligible for selection in the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft, I doubt that he will get selected simply because he hasn't pitched above Boise. But this time next year is when the Cubs are going to have to decide whether to add him to the 40 or allow him to leave as a Six-Year Minor League FA. The only way the Cubs can for sure keep him from walking away and signing with another organization post-2012 is by adding him to the 40-man roster by the 4th day following the conclusion of the 2012 World Series.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:22 am

Submitted by Koyies Bansaw on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 10:22pm. AZ Phil, just wondering if you think Burke could be added to the 40 man if he keeps throwing like this, or even Lake or Hatley based on AZ Fall League performance? ================================ K-BANSAW: Kyler Burke is eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft this December, but he is probably safe (from the Cubs POV) since he hasn't pitched above Boise. But you never know. All it takes is one scout from one club to get the hots for him, and he could get selected. However, Burke is eligible to be a Rule 55 Six-Year Minor League FA (6YFA) after next season, so the Cubs will probably add him to the 40-man roster post-2012 even if he hasn't progressed beyond Daytona, just to keep him from walking away and signing with another club. As for Junior Lake and Marcus Hatley, an eye-popping performance in the AFL would probably get Lake and/or Hatley a spot on the Cubs 40-man roster, but anything less than that probably won't, and if either or both do get a spot on the 40 next month, it probably would mean that Jay Jackson, Jeffry Antigua and/or Dae-Eun Rhee will not.

Submitted by Rob G. on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:48 am

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. Wouldn't surprise me if Yanks make a run at Pujols or Fielder and possibly trade Teixeira, could also DH him, but that's a tougher sell to the FA that he's coming to take Teix's job with the guy still there. of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:31 am

of course, this goddamn Cardinals run, just makes it more and more likely Pujols signs his extension before he even tests the market. I'm OK with that. He's older than Soriano was when we got him, and showed signs of decline this year (though onr non-typical sign). Let the Cardinals give him an eight year deal.

Submitted by The E-Man on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:04 am

I'd like to give a personal "Fuck You" to Carlos Marmol for nailing down a playoff spot to the Cards. It is comforting to know that Jim Hendry sealed him up for two more years. I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible. Although it is incredible that the Cards organization has seen such success over the last 60 years, while the Cubs have done nothing.

[ ]

Submitted by John Beasley on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:41 am

"I hate the Cardinals more that the Packers, if that's possible." True. At least the Packers do it with talent. The Cardinals have four stars, and one hasn't played all year.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 10:12 am

I must not hate the Cardinals if I can be coaxed into their camp by the mere fact of my mother-in-law being an avid Phillies fan. But if I did hate the Cardinals I would be pissed at Marmol for prying open their coffin-lid on that last Saturday in September.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:26 am

you know, before Howard tore his achilles there, I was wondering if they'd think about trading him and trying to sign Fielder. --- per rotoworld, the last line is key to Reuben Amaro Jr's newest pain (5/125). Achilles ruptures are usually described as feeling like getting hit in the calf with a baseball bat or the "pop" has been described as hearing a gunshot go off. I kinda like the flat tire description too. Although some achilles ruptures can be treated non-surgically, most performance athletes get this injury surgically repaired. The re-rupture rate is lower with surgical repair and the rehab can be started much sooner. Still, this will leave him with some permanent calf muscle deficit even after full rehab. Because he's not much of a runner before the injury and plays 1B, it probably won't have much impact. It might affect his fielding range a bit.
Ryan Howard believes he may have torn his left Achilles tendon while attempting to run out a ground ball on the final play of Friday's Game 5 loss to the Cardinals in the NLDS. Howard suffered the injury as soon as he got out of the batter's box and was unable to run to first base. "I was trying to run, and I just felt this pop," said Howard. "The whole thing just went numb, like it was on fire. Just tried to keep going, and went down. It literally felt like I was on a flat tire. I tried to get up. Couldn't go." Howard is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday, but could miss part of the 2012 season if the injury requires surgery. Coincidentally, next season is the first year of his five-year, $125 million contract extension.

[ ]

Submitted by John Beasley on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:50 am

The winning finalists for Chicago and Los Angeles will accept the Baltimore job, acquire Soriano and Wells, and then "upgrade" themselves. Let it be.

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:22 pm

it's not the first year of the ARam deal that should concern them (unless they are the team that moves back to the AL, then he can DH).

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:40 pm

rsox need to just give him an extension already and get this over with. i totally believe 3+ cubs suits flew all the way out to boston just to have some really really fresh clam chowduh.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:43 pm

damn... r.howard out until may/june 2012 according to mlb network..."preliminary reports"

Submitted by Cubster on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:29 pm

followup on Ryan Howard...from rotoworld:
Ryan Howard has indeed been diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles tendon and will undergo offseason surgery... He's likely to miss the entire first half of the 2012 season, and could even be out the entire year.
Source: Danny Knobler on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/DKnobler/status/122838487270563840 and Knobler followup tweet: I know people are assuming Howard is out for all 2012, but trainer I talked to said unless surgery goes bad, it's usually 6 month recovery. My thoughts: He should be healed and released for baseball activities by spring (Oct-Feb is 4 1/2 months) but may not be running well enough to play until mid season. Injury replacement Depth at 1B is so to speak, the Phillies Achilles heel. Ross Gload and a platoon from AAA (lh, Jeff Larish and rh, Cody Overbeck) are the official depth behind Howard. Something will be done to shore up that hole. Makes Bryan LaHair look better every second. Dusty would have acquired Neifi for such a dilemma and moved Utley to 1B.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:53 pm

they got j.mayberry and b.francisco at least...don't think francisco has played 1st, though. mayberry's slotted to take over in LF i'd imagine, but francisco or mayberry could handle it. ...plus outside cheap options. meh.

Submitted by JD on Sat, 10/08/2011 - 10:38 pm

I was thinking the same thing, crunch. Pancakes to the Angels makes too much sense. (that was in response to crunch a little higher up...don't know why it didn't thread off of his comment)

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.

Click HERE for the last 50 comments