Cubs MLB Roster

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40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Kerry Wood's Back Holds Him Back

Gordon Wittenmyer reporting in the Sun-Times that back spasms will keep Kerry Wood from making his scheduled pitching appearance today.

Manager Lou Piniella downplayed the significance of the injury, but Wood was examined by team doctors today to determine the severity of the injury...

Piniella stressed there's nothing wrong with his arm and he's not concerned about this being an issue with Wood's ability to close.

‘‘If we had to be concerned about everything to be concerned about, we'd never sleep around here,'' he said. ‘‘This is just a stiff back and nothing more, and it could happen to anybody.''

Downplaying the significance of the injury--I wonder if the Cubs now list that as a required job skill when hiring new personnel.

More info as it becomes available and we're able to share.

 

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Comments

Gordon Wittenmyer reporting in the Sun-Times that back spasms will keep Kerry Wood from making his scheduled pitching appearance today. By "back", do they mean "shoulder"? By "spasm" do they mean "is tore up"? If this is seriously only back spasms, it's probably not that big of a deal. Z was out for a short time last year for back spasms. It didn't even require a visit to the DL.

This is not good news. It could be nothing, but knowing the Cubs and how they are with injuries and Wood and how he is with injuries, this could be a big deal. I sure hope itis nothing more than he slept wrong, but I think it is not wrong for any Cubs fan to look at this with a weary eye until he pitches again and comes back fine the next day. Nad has Wood even pitched on back-to-back days yet? You can't really be a closer if you can go 2, or even 3, straight days.

Also it seems Piniella has settled on his lineup to start the year with.. Theriot Soriano Lee Ramirez Fukudome DeRosa Soto Pie You people wanting Soriano moved down in the order better not start bitching about how the leadoff spot can't hit for power now. You got your wish, dont be pulling a damn Juan Pierre and bitching about it. You got your wish be happy with it.

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

If that is the everyday lineup, I just want to hear every person who bitched about Dusty's lineup, especially with the #1/#2 hitters, start screaming from the highest mountain. I want everyone who bitched about Don Baylor's lineups to start screaming from the highest mountain also......

[ ]

In reply to by vorare

But still if you didn't like neifi or Corey batting #1/#2, to be fair, you can't like Theriot leading off and Soriano hitting second.

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In reply to by Rory

Yup... it makes a ton of sense. Because Neifi and Korey are just like Theriot and Soriano. Oh wait.

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In reply to by big_lowitzki

patterson/t.walker was the 1/2 to open the season...then it became a mixture of hairston/patterson/neifi batting 1st/2nd when walker *shock* gets injured again. hairston held his own in the #1 slot, but sucked on when to actually take a base and when to hold. besides dlee/aram the only guy who hit for ob% on the whole f'n team was barrett anyway...there was a lot of problems with 05 besides who hit 2nd.

[ ]

In reply to by mannytrillo

Scream this: Career ML OBP Theriot .341 Soriano .327 vs Patterson .298 N. Perez .297 BTW, here's the latest laugher from Dusty Baker:
LOOKING LIKE LEADOFF: Corey Patterson is hitting .474 this spring, mostly in the leadoff spot. "I always thought he'd be a good leadoff man," Baker said. "He's got all the tangibles to be a leadoff man. Maybe sometime you're not ready. When he came up, he didn't know how to bunt. They said he was going to be a 30-30 man and it got in his head."
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080318/SPT04/8031…

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

navigator: "Career ML OBP Theriot .341 Soriano .327 vs Patterson .298 N. Perez .297" Well, then looking a those numbers you are right, it is absolutely acceptable to bat them there. Nobody can complain...

[ ]

In reply to by navigator

Korey has had 6 very good months in his career. That's it, going all the way back to his debut in 2002, through 2007. 6 months he hit over .300 out of his entire career. He's such a frustrating hitter, and his splits have always fascinated me because he's so hot and cold, but he gets even worse in the second half of the season. Career splits: 1st half: .266 .308 .419 2nd half: .247 .283 .407 even his two best seasons, 2003 when he was playing so well before an injury, was just two good months: April 2003: .300 .330 .550 May 2003: .333 .345 .565 Then June 2003: .269 .319 .452 July 2003: .235 .278 .294 (only 18 ab's before he got hurt) and in 2004, when he hit 24 dingers and 72 rbi, despite a .266 .320 .452 line, again... April 2004: .277 .326 .494 May 2004: .250 .321 .370 June 2004: .327 .387 .545 July 2004: .225 .248 .324 August 04: .336 .388 .605 Sept 2004: .190 .250 .373 I'm not saying Korey sucks, he's an average or perhaps below average regular CF offensively, but he's not awful. But his track record shows he doesn't belong in the top half of any lineup. He's probably a 7 or 8 hitter, unless he's super hot, and you move him up until he cools off again.

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In reply to by Stevens

I think all those if's will happen. The Cubs will get Roberts, but give up too much to get him because Hendry will panic that nothing has moved. Who knows on DLee, but he hasnt looked great in the spring. Plus batting him 2nd might take pressure off him to produce as many runs, so he won't swing for the fence as much. And I personally don't think DeRosa will be much of a downgrade at SS defensively over Theriot (if any). But he is a HUGE upgrade offensively.

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In reply to by Stevens

Stevens: "Can I bitch if I don't want Theriot or Soriano in the leadoff spot? Is that okay?" Absolutely! And to be fair, if you didn't like Pierre, Neifi, Patterson, etc in the #1/#2 hole, you really shouldn't like Theriot/Alf in those roles either. Now I am the first to admit, lineup construction is not a big deal to me, but this would be my preferred lineup based the projected starters: DeRosa K-Fuk Lee ARam Soriano Soto Pie Theriot P

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In reply to by mannytrillo

There is a big difference between looking for a combination of OBP and Speed at the top of the order and trying to shove the 2 most craptastic scrubs on the team into the top of the lineup because they are "scrappy." Theriot and Soriano at the top of the lineup is a far far cry from the Neifi/Macias/ReyO/Womack/Izturis types that Dusty loved to kick start the lineup with. They couldn't hit, get on base, or even steal a base. I like OBP at the top of the order, but I don't mind speed there. I'd rather see Soriano around 5th in the order where his power and speed would be best used. I don't think Theriot is ideal, but a 330 OBP with 30 steals is ok at the top of the lineup. But I don't think its horrible to have either of them near the top either. In either case its a long way from !Neifi!

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In reply to by Bleeding Blue

Don't forget, the Patterson/Neifi combo was particularly egregious because it came during DLee's monster year. It takes a special kind of stupidity to turn 50 2B / 46 HR and a .335/.418/.662 line into just 107 RBIs.

Is anyone watching or listening to the game and can tell us how Dempster is looking and whether he's throwing a lot of pitches?

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In reply to by SheffieldCornelia

I'm not watching but according to the box score, he's pitched 5.1 inning (facing 18 batters), 0 runs, 1 hit, 7 K's & 2 BB. Sounds like he's pretty locked in today.

DLee solo HR Blance double scores ARam (walked) 2-0 Hart's in for the 8th and becomes the first Cub to have back to back outings (I don't think anyone else has done that yet)

From Rotoworld: Rule-5 pick Randy Wells was credited with a victory in relief after pitching a perfect inning Wednesday against the Red Sox. Wells has allowed four hits, walked three and struck out six in six scoreless innings this spring. It's still going to be hard for the Jays to find room for him, but he might not make it back to the Cubs if Toronto puts him on waivers.

"Outfield assists: Fukudome (Suzuki at home)." well...now he just needs to become the mark grace hitter everyone wants "at minimum". seen enough of his D and arm this spring to know that's in place proper. good luck with the bricks/ivy...

Hart gave up a 4 spot including 2 walks, Marmol came it to get out of the mess but also gave up a hit and a walk. So much for back to back outings.

from Roto: Adam Loewen, who missed his last start with a sore shoulder, was yanked after allowing four runs in 1 2/3 innings Wednesday against the Cardinals. Hmmmm, Gallagher's bad outing not very timely.

.1 ip and 5 batters faced over 10 minutes takes k.hart from ST darling with a 2.35 era of 7.2ip 4h 0bb 7k into 6.75era 8ip 6h 2bb 7k. 10 minutes from pimp to pedestrian. ah...spring...ah...low sample size... fun.

this is very convoluted but mlbtr says wscr's george ofman (wsox flagship) reports that the wsox are going to waive Juan Uribe...we shall see. I've been listening to the WSox TV broadcast on wgn and so far Hawk/DJ haven't said anything about this Uribe would probably be jumped on by the Orioles even though his salary is around $5M

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In reply to by WISCGRAD

Seems like only yesterday they were saying Uribe has the inside track on the Sux 2b job....actually it was the day before yesterday.
White Sox | Uribe waived Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:46:53 -0700 Mark Gonzales, of the Chicago Tribune, reports the Chicago White Sox have placed IF Juan Uribe on irrevocable waivers, according to a MLB scout. If another team does not claim Uribe within 72 hours, the White Sox will have to release him and be obligated to pay him his $4.5 million salary for 2008. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- White Sox | Uribe has inside track on starting second base job Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:31:29 -0700 Joe Cowley, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports Chicago White Sox IF Juan Uribe is the frontrunner to win the starting second base job to begin the season.

I don't think that the Orioles looked at Gallagher as an immediate addition to their MLB staff, but as an excellent prospect as a #3 in the future. His performance today in relief probably doesn't impact his evaluation by the O's too much. However, if Loewen can't pitch, it does increase their need for Marquis.

I would certainly think that, if Uribe is released, and the Orioles pick him up, it would make Cedeno a lot less appealing to them. Another reason the Roberts trade may not work out...

I've long supported a trade for Roberts mainly for offensive reasons (leadoff hitter, switch hitter, etc.), but this has just been ridiculous for sometime. It's not like the Orioles don't know who the Cubs are offering, and the Cubs have to weigh if their getting equal value in return. I agree with sentiments on the Score this morning where David Hawe said the Cubs should give the O's a deadline date.

Submitted by big_lowitzki on Wed, 03/19/2008 - 6:17pm.

So, who am I supposed to believe, you or my lying eyes? Wow... a little feisty today, eh?

And like Crunch... I have heard nothing about wild throws from Fukudome.

Are you watching in AZ?

And do you care to elaborate on any of these wild and bad throws?

===================================

DAVE: Fukudome has made several excellent throws this Spring. He threw out one runner at the plate today, and his error was on a one-hop strike to home plate that skipped past Henry Blanco, and Carlos Marmol forgot to back-up home plate so the runner advanced an extra base.

a few thoughts i think hart eventually will be a starter no way cedeno makes 25 man roster with cubs he should be traded to giants for r. davis. i agree with a lee , soriano, rameriz 2, 3, 4, in lineup

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Javier Assad started the Lo-A game (Myrtle Beach versus Stockton) on the Cubs backfields on Wednesday as his final Spring Training tune-up. He was supposed to throw five innings / 75 pitches. However, I was at the minor league road games at Fitch so I didn't see Assad pitch. 

  • crunch (view)

    cards put j.young on waivers.

    they really tried to make it happen this spring, but he put up a crazy bad slash of .081/.244/.108 in 45PA.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

    another awesome spring of pitching reports.  thanks a lot, appreciated.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.