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

Valbuena & Maysonet Rally White Squad to Victory

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Luis Valbuena smacked a two-out two-run HR into the upper bullpen beyond the RF fence in the bottom of the 4th to turn a one run deficit into a one run lead, and then after the Blue Squad pushed across a run to tie the game in the top of the 5th, Edwin Maysonet blasted a three-run HR with two outs in the bottom of the frame to lift the White Squad to a 6-3 victory in a five-inning intrasquad game played this afternoon at Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, AZ.

Brett Jackson (two singles and a double) and Dave Sappelt (two doubles and a single) had three hits a piece for the Blue Squad.

After rolling out 4-3 twice in yesterday's game, B-Jax showed a really nice stroke in all three of his AB today, driving an opposite-field double into the left-center alley off LHP Brooks Raley leading off the game (before stealing 3rd & scoring on a Darnell McDonald RBI single), ripping a hard ground ball single through the 3.5 hole with two outs in the top of the 2nd (also off Raley), and stroking a line-drive single to right-center off Drew Carpenter with two outs in the 4th. He also made a fine running catch to rob Steve Clevenger of extra bases.

Sappelt hammered a single in the 1st off Raley, and then a double off the right-centerfield fence in the 3rd inning off Shawn Camp. Sappelt also collected a "gift" double leading off the 5th (and later scored the tying run on a Christian Villanueva RBI double) when White Squad CF Matt Szczur lost a routine fly ball in the sun.

Brooks Raley got the start for the White Squad and labored through his two innings of work (55 pitches - only 28 strikes), allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk. The damage probably would have been a lot worse if not for a timely & nifty Raley pick-off of baserunner Darnell McDonald (froze him like the proverbial "Deer in Headlights") at 1st base after McDonald drove-home Brett Jackson with the game's first run in the top of the 1st.

Alberto Cabrera started for the Blue Squad and had an outing worthy of Carlos Marmol, walking four while striking out three in two innings. Cabrera racked up a lot of strikeouts but struggled with his command while pitching in the Dominican Winter League post-2012, too (13/20 BB/K in 14.1 IP), so today's performance was probably not an aberration. Like Marmol, Cabrera has nasty stuff and is sometimes virtually unhittable, but he has had a lot of trouble finding the strike zone lately.

Japanese RHP Kyuji Fujikawa made his U. S. (and Cub) game debut today, throwing a scoreless inning. He obviously has an effective splitter, and had several of the White Squad hitters flailing away at it.

The two late long-balls were surrendered by Michael Bowden (the Luis Valbuena two-run bomb in the 4th) and Blake Parker (the game-winning Edwin Maysonet three-run dinger in the 5th). Parker allowed two hits and threw a wild pitch to put runners at 2nd & 3rd with no outs, but looked like he might get out of the jam when he struck out Johermyn Chavez (looking) and Junior Lake (swinging). But then Maysonet drilled his game-winning shot over the LF fence to give the White Squad the victory.

Johermyn Chavez has had an inauspicious debut in a Cub uniform (he was signed as a Six-Year Minor League FA post-2012 after spending seven seasons in the Seattle organization). Besides being the last player to arrive in Camp (not the best way to make a good first impression), Chavez (playing RF) kicked & threw the ball around in the top of the second in today's game, making two careless errors on the same play (one fielding & one throwing). And while he did draw walks in his first two AB, he also swung at a pitch in the dirt (Parker's WP) and then struck out (looking) with no outs and the potential winning run at 3rd base in the bottom of the 5th (the pre-planned final inning of the game).

Chavez was a Mariner Top 10 Prospect just a couple of years ago, but after struggling at AA in 2011 and 2012 (hitting just 222/322/369 in 201 AA games), he was outrighted off the Seattle 40-man roster and became a Rule 55 minor league free-agent (6YFA), signing with the Cubs last November.

Here is the unofficial box score from today‘s game:

BLUE SQUAD LINEUP:
1. Brett Jackson, CF: 3-3 (2B, 1B, 1B, R, SB)
2. Darnell McDonald, LF: 2-3 (1B, L-8, 1B, RBI, PO)
3. Rafael Lopez, C: 0-2 (BB, L-3, K)
4. Dave Sappelt, DH: 3-3 (1B, 2B, 2B, R)
5. Brian Bogusevic, RF: 0-3 (K, 4-3, 6-3)
6. Christian Villanueva, 3B: 1-2 (6-4 FC, BB, 2B, RBI)
7. Alberto Gonzalez, 2B: 0-3 (6-3, 5-3, 6-3)
8. Brad Nelson, 1B: 0-3 (4-3, F-8, 3-U)
9. Javier Baez, SS: 1-2 (1B, 5-3, R)

WHITE SQUAD LINEUP:
1. Logan Watkins, 2B: 0-3 (K, K, 4-3)
2. Matt Szczur, CF: 1-2 (BB, 6-3, 1B, R, CS)
3. Steve Clevenger, C: 1-3 (F-8, F-8, 1B, R)
4. Johermyn Chavez, RF: 0-1 (BB, BB, K, R)
5. Junior Lake, 3B: 0-2 (BB, P-3, K)
6. Edwin Maysonet, SS: 1-3 (K, P-4, HR, R, 3 RBI)
7. Brent Lillibridge, 1B: 1-2 (2B, BB, 6-3, R, RBI)
8. Jorge Soler, LF: 0-1 (BB, F-7)
9. Luis Valbuena, DH: 1-2 (P-2, HR, R, 2 RBI)

BLUE SQUAD PITCHERS
1. Alberto Cabrera: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 3 K, 37 pitches (13 strikes), 0/2 GO/FO
2. Kyuji Fujikawa: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 22 pitches (13 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
3. Michael Bowden: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 17 pitches (11 strikes), 1/2 GO/FO
4. Blake Parker: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1 WP, 22 pitches (17 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO 

WHITE SQUAD PITCHERS
1. Brooks Raley: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 55 pitches (28 strikes), 3/1 GO/FO
2. Shawn Camp: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 16 pitches (7 strikes), 2/1 GO/FO
3. Drew Carpenter: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 14 pitches (8 strikes), 1/1 GO/FO
4. Jensen Lewis: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 19 pitches (13 strikes), 3/0 GO/FO  

BLUE SQUAD ERRORS: NONE

WHITE SQUAD ERRORS: 2
1. RF Johermyn Chavez - E-9 - fielding error on a ground single to RF allowed batter to advance an extra base
2. RF Johermyn Chavez - E-9 - throwing error allowed one runner to score unearned run from 3rd base and another to advance from 2nd to 3rd 

BLUE SQUAD CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Rafael Lopez: 1-1 CS

WHITE SQUAD CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Steve Clevenger: 0-1 CS

ATTENDANCE: 161

WEATHER: Sunny & cool with temperatures in the low 60's

 

Tags
Spring Training Recap
Kyuji Fujikawa
Dave Sappelt
Edwin Maysonet
Luis Valbuena
Brett Jackson

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 02:42 pm

FREE BRETT JACKSON...TRADE SORIANO, TRADE DEJESUS, CUT EVERYONE ELSE. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR. also, is zac rosscup seeing any action with the ST crew or just mini-camp? i'm willing to look past the fact he's a dubstep/trap music fan and still root for him.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 02:21 pm

BBAmerica top 100 with 0/80 scale ranking + ETAs... 16 Javier Baez ss, Cubs Age: 20. ETA: 2014. Bat: 60. Power: 65. Speed: 50. Defense: 55. Arm: 65. 33 Albert Almora of, Cubs Age: 18. ETA: 2015. Bat: 65. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Defense: 75. Arm: 60. 34 Jorge Soler of, Cubs Age: 21. ETA: 2015. Bat: 60. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 55. Arm: 70. 83 Arodys Vizcaino rhp, Cubs Age: 22. ETA: 2014. Fastball: 70. Curve: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 60. Command: 55. ...they're really bullish on almora showing up early. he turns 21 april 2015.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:53 am

I don't buy those ETAs. Baez is likely to hit some bumps along the way, and SS isn't going to be some gaping hole to fill. Vizcaino should make it to Wrigley this year, barring further injury (in which case there is no ETA). Soler in 2015 seems reasonable. But if Jackson is fixed enough to get on base at a respectable rate and Soler makes it Wrigley in 2015, then there is no rush for Almora--I have a hard time imagining that they will let either Jackson or Almora occupy LF in a season in which they might contend. I don't really see any of these guys spending significant time in the majors until they are 23 or so, unless they absolutely light up every level of the minors they see. I'm also not really sure where that 50 power rating is coming from for Almora--that's all projection, I guess.

Submitted by jacos on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 02:52 pm

ATTENDANCE: 161 Modest win streak, attendance quadruples. Phil, I think of you while I shovel the snow you lucky SOB. Thanks for keeping us warm.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 02/22/2013 - 02:31 pm

i can't figure out if this is good news or bad news...then i remember that our starting RF is nate schierholtz and it all seems moot. "With the recent injury to Ian Stewart, Luis Valbuena has the opportunity to open the season as the Cubs' starting third baseman."

Submitted by Jumbo on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:04 am

Are the scrubs pitching mainly to give the big league starters more time to get ready?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:24 pm

JUMBO: I think the idea is to give the pitchers who are either "on the bubble" or not likely to make the Opening Day roster as much game action as possible in the early part of Spring Training, since innings will be hard to come by as it gets closer to Opening Day. 

Another factor is that some pitchers (especially relievers and young pitchers) can get ready to pitch in games sooner than some of the others, so they get first call to arms. 

Submitted by John Beasley on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:48 am

I always love the February write-ups the best, Phil, thank you. Any idea what kind of speed Fujikawa was throwing on that splitter?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:37 pm

JOHN B: The general public (or "lay people" as Mel Brooks would say) were not allowed anywhere near Theo, Hoyer, McCleod and the other dozen or so members of the Cubs Front Office who were sitting in the first four rows behind home plate (both games), and that's where the only gun in the house was located (there were no scouts at the games). But just based upon my own personal observations, I would describe Fuji's splitter as a hard splitter with good tumbling action. I wasn't as impressed with his fastball, but it's early and at least he does throw it for strikes. It looks like his approach is to get ahead in the count by painting a corner with his fastball and then try to get the batter to chase the splitter (which often is not a strike).  

I think Fujikawa could very well be the closer. Whether Marmol would get traded or moved to a set-up role I can't say, but I've always liked Marmol better as a set-up guy who can come into a game with men on base and strand the inherited runners, because he has a "puncher's chance" of striking out the side if need be. (There was one season when Marmol and Michael Wuertz were unbelievable at stranding inherited runners, and when a reliever or two are able to do that consistently, the team wins more games).

And if Marmol is used as a set-up man and has one of those days where he has command issues, there would be somebody else "throwing behind him" if he can't find home plate. Of course Marmol wants to be the closer, and I'm not sure how willing he would be to go back to being a set-up guy at this stage of his career, especially since he will be a free-agent post-2013.   

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:31 pm

"#Cubs Scott Baker threw 45 pitches in bullpen Sat. Will do at least 2 sim games/live BP before he gets in a game. Says he feels good"

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:53 pm

i try to go to cubs.com and Firefox asks me if i meant cbs.com and if i needed protection from possible harmful sites. i see what u did there.

Submitted by crunch on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 02:24 pm

the most expensive piece of the TOR/MIA trade that MIA kept is now injured...$1.5m 2013 + $1.5m 2014... "Jeff Mathis was diagnosed with a broken collarbone and is expected to miss six weeks." ...hit by a foul tip.

Submitted by John Beasley on Sun, 02/24/2013 - 02:36 am

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat Today's #Cubs lineup: DeJesus CF, Castro SS, Rizzo 1B, Soriano LF, Schierholtz RF, Navarro C, Bogusevic DH, Barney 2B, Villanueva 3B

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    cubs getting crazy good at not having player moves leak.

    taillon we 100% know is pitching tonight.  who he's replacing and any additional moves are unknown as far as i can tell.

    p.wisdom was not in today's lineup in iowa (rained out) and he was removed from the game last night mid-game, but not for injury.  good bet he's with the team in the bigs, too.

  • 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? 

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