Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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

Wada Ya Gonna Do?

Tsuyoshi Wada fired five innings of shutout ball with seven strikeouts, Javier Baez collected three hits and three RBI, and Josh Vitters ripped a solo HR and an RBI double, as the AAA Iowa Cubs defeated the Salt Lake Bees (Angels AAA affiliate) 7-1 on Field #6, and C. J. Edwards and four relievers combined to toss a two-hitter and Rubi Silva stroked an RBI single and an RBI double, stole a base, and scored a run, leading the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA affiliate) to a 4-1 victory over the Arkansas Travelers (LAA AA affiliate) on Field #3, in Cactus League Minor League doubleheader action this morning at the Under Armour Performance Center at Riverview Park in Mesa, AZ.   

Tennessee 3B Kris Bryant left the game in the bottom of the third inning after being hit on the foot with a pitch.

RF Jorge Soler took BP witb the Tennesse squad but will apparently begin the season on the Smokies 7-day DL, as INF Wes Darvill was moved-up to the Tennessee squad from the Daytona squad to take Soler's slot on the Smokies 25-man Active List. 

All of the position players assigned to the Tennessee active roster saw action in the game on Field #3, and all of the Iowa position players except catcher Eli Whiteside, 1B Lars Anderson, and INF Edgar Gonzalez (who apparently will serve as a player-coach) got into the game on Field #6.

Several pitchers and position players from the Boise/Mesa (Extended Spring Training) squad saw action late in the two games, and six more players have arrived in Mesa from Venezuela, as RHPs Adbert Alzolay and Greyfer Eregua, LHP Alberto Diaz, 3B-1B-C Roney Alcala, and OF Jeffrey Baez and Ricardo Marcano have been assigned to the Cubs Extended Spring Training squad at Riverview Park.

Here are the abridged box scores from this morning's games played at Riverview Park (Cubs players only):  

FIELD #3:

TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Zeke DeVoss, CF: 2-5 (1B, P-4, L-8, K, 1B, R, SB)
2. Stephen Bruno, DH #1: 1-5 (F-8, 2B, 6-3, 6-3, L-5, R)
3a. Rubi Silva, RF: 2-4 (1B, 2B, K, 6-3, R, 2 RBI, SB)
3b. Taylor Davis, PH: 0-1 (5-3)
4a. Kris Bryant, 3B: 0-1 (K, HBP)
4b. Anthony Giansanti, PR-DH: 1-2 (1B+E5, K, R)
5. Dustin Geiger, DH-1B: 1-4 (K, 1B, K, 6-3, RBI)
6a. Rafael Lopez, C: 1-2 (3-1, 1B, BB, RBI)
6b. Charlie Cutler, C: 1-1 (1B)
7. Jonathon Mota, 1B-3B: 1-4 (6-3, K, F-7, 1B)
8. John Andreoli, LF:0-2 (BB, K, 5-3, BB, SB)
9. Jeudy Valdez, SS: 0-3 (6-3, P-4, BB, K) 
10. Wes Darvill, 2B: 0-4 (K, E-3, L-8, 3-1)  

TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
1. C. J. Edwards: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 5 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 4/4 GO/FO, 63 pitches (33 strikes)
2. Armando Rivero: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 28 pitches (19 strikes)
3. Josh Davis: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/3 GO/FO, 20 pitches (14 strikes)
4. Jasvir Rakkar: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (5 strikes)
5. Zak Hermans: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 9 pitches (7 strikes)

TENNESSEE ERRORS: NONE

TENNESSEE CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Rafael Lopez: 1-1 CS

FIELD #6:

IOWA LINEUP:
1a. Matt Szczur, CF: 1-3 (K, 2B, F-8)
1b. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 1-2 (1B, F-9, R)
2a. Arismendy Alcantara, 2B: 1-3 (F-8, 1-3, 1B) 
2b. Logan Watkins, 2B: 0-2 (K, E-6)  
3. Javier Baez, SS-DH: 3-4 (K, 1B, 1B+E5, F-8 SF, 1B, 3 RBI)
4. Josh Vitters, LF: 2-4 (HR, BB, P-6, 2B, K, R, 2 RBI)
5a. Chris Coghlan, 1B: 1-3 (K, P-6, 1B, BB, R)
5b. Rashad Crawford, PH: 0-1 (F-8)
6a. Christian Villanueva, 3B: 1-2 (P-5, BB, 2B, R, RBI)
6b. Jesse Hodges, 3B: 0-1 (K)
6c. Gleyber Torres, PH: 0-0 (BB)
7a. Brett Jackson, RF: 0-4 (4-3, K, 3-U, 3-U)
7b. Mark Malave, PH: (3-U) 
8a. Chris Valaika, DH-SS: 1-3 (F-9, F-7, 1B, BB, R, RBI)
8b. Alberto Mineo, PH: 0-1 (F-8)
9a. Luis Flores, C: 0-2 (K, F-8)
9b. Justin Marra, C: 0-1 (BB, E-4, 2 R)

IOWA PITCHERS:
1. Tsuyoshi Wada: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 3/5 GO/FO, 84 pitches (56 strikes)
2. Casey Coleman: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/FO, 37 pitches (20 strikes)
3. Frank Batista: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 20 pitches (13 strikes)
4. Marcos Mateo: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 19 pitches (13 strikes)   

IOWA ERRORS: NONE

IOWA CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Luis Flores, 0-1 CS 


Comments

e.bonifacio, j.baker, r.kalish make the team. j.mcdonald to the -60- day DL with shoulder tendinitis (wow, 60). j.arrieta to the 15 day DL with right shoulder inflammation. k.fujikawa to the 15 day DL (as expected, TJ recovery). c.rusin optioned to AAA. ...also, the marlins have DFA's b.bogusevic

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

Some additional info regarding the Cubs recent 40-man roster moves: 

RYAN KALISH: He has one minor league option left, but Optional Assignment Waivers must be secured before he be optioned to the minors. NOTE: Because Optional Assignment Waivers are revocable, clubs almost never claim players off Optional Assignment Waivers because the waiver request can be withdrawn if the player is claimed, but it is a restriction and a potential roadblock. Kalish also cannot elect free-ageny if outrighted AT THIS TIME because he has not been outrighted previously in his career (he was non-tendered by Boston, but not outrighted) and he has not yet accrued three years of MLB Service Time. However, he is on target to reach three years of MLB Service Time on August 15th, so if the Cubs want to outright Kalish at some point during the 2014 season and don't want to take the chance that he will elect free-agency, they would need to do so prior to 8/15. As long as he remains on the 40-man roster he will be under club control through the 2017 season (unless he is outrighted, released, or non-tendered in the meantime), and he will be first-time eligible for salary arbitration post-2014.  

JOHN BAKER: Even though it seems like he has been around forever, Baker (like Kalish) actually has one minor league option left, and he can be optioned to the minor without having to give his permission as long as he is optioned prior to April 30th (after which he will have accured five years of MLB Service Time and cannot be optioned or outrighted to the minors without gving his permission in advance). As with Kalish, Optional Assignment Waivers would have to be secured before Baker can be optioned to the minors (again, essentially just a formality), and he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted to the minors (again, must give his permission in advance before he can be sent to minors starting on 4/30). The Cubs will retain control over Baker through the 2015 season (Baker will be eligible for salary-arbitration post-2014, and will be an MLB Article XX-B FA post-2015... if he isn't released or non-tendered in the meantime...).

BRIAN SCHLITTER: He has two minor league options left, but (as is the case with Kalish and Baker) Optional Aassignment Waivers must be secured before Schlitter can be optioned to the minors, although (again) Optional Assignment Waivers are basically just a formality because they are revocable the first time requested in a given waiver period (that is, waiver request can be withdrawn if player is claimed). Note also that once secured, Optional Assignment Waivers are good for the entire waiver period. Schlitter also can elect free-agency if outrighted, because he has been outrighted previously in his career. 

EMILIO BONIFACIO: He has no minor league options left and he has accrured 5+066 MLB Service Time through the 2013 season, so he cannot be outrighted to the minors unless he gives his permission in advance. He can be released, though, except if he is released during the regular reason (and the regular season has started) the Cubs would be on the hook for his entire $2.5M salary (minus whatever he might get from another club after being released, which would almost certainly be the pro-rated MLB minimum salary). He will be an MLB Article XX-B FA post-2014.  

ALBERTO CABRERA: If Outright Assignment Waivers can be secured, Cabrera can be sent outright to the minors and he cannot elect free-agency if outrighted (he has not been outrighted previously in his career and/or he has not accrued at least three years of MLB Service Time), but if he is outrighted he will automatically be declared a six-year minor league free-agent (MLB Rule 55 FA) if he is not added back to an MLB 40-man roster or signs a 2015 Minor League Successor Contract by 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day following the conclusion of the 2014 World Series. But the Cubs could outright him and thenj (if he pitches well at Iowa) they could add him back to the 40-man roster anytime during the 2014 season or post-2014 up until 5 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day following the conclusion of the World Series. Also, any MLB club claiming Cabrera off waivers would have the same problem the Cubs have (had), which is he is out of minor league options and so he can only be sent to the minors after Outright Assignment Waivers have been secured. A young player not yet established as a major league player who is out of minor league options is a lot like a Rule 5 player. (A pain in the ass).  

 

Mildly surprised when I looked at the ages of the 25 man roster. Junior Lake and Starlin Castro are still the youngest (Lake youngest, 3 days apart, born March 24, 27 1990).

cubs open at PIT on MON @1pm ET...that's a stupid and inconvenient enough start time...thanks PIT. WGN/ESPN day off TUE...WED game @7pm ET...THU game @12:35pm ET because PIT hates us. this is followed by FRI/SAT/SUN day games at home in wrigley (2:20pm ET).

Prediction: By the end of this year, Wada is our best SP.  When Rizzo flops, we bring Ron Cey out of retirement to play 1B (Cey didn't have great range at 3rd, to begin with.)  Yu Darvish, meanwhile, is unable to continue his career as a pitcher due to lingering injuries, but it turns out he has a great bat, and we complete yet another trade with Texas to bring him in as our starting 2Bman, replacing Barney.  The Cubs, in the most unlikely pennant chase of all time, clinch the division on the last day of the season when Allen Craig smashes a liner up the middle that Wada snares to start a 1-4-3 double play, with Len Kasper screaming, "Hey Chicago, Wada Yu Cey!!!!!"

Opening day line up: 1) Bonifacio CF 2) Lake LF 3) Castro SS 4) Rizzo 1B 5) Olt 3B 6) Castillo C 7) Schierholtz RF 8) Barney 2B 9) Samardzija P

I know it was one at bat, but Rizzo looked awful against Lariono. First strike was fastball down the middle, that Rizzo turned away from like he was going to get hit by it.

Lake and Olt know they're suppose to hit lefties, right?

Bonifacio with the "why the eff is he starting" 2/2 that Neifi made famous.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

i'm ready for 2015 already...i think. that double play killed my will to live. then again, they are trying to win vs obvious cy young candidate, liriano.

Lake single (YEAH!)

Castro walk (Holy shit!)

Rizzo K, Olt pop out, Castillo K (there you are our old friend disappointment)

104 pitches for Liriano through 6, probably just about done

Ninja at just 67 through 5 1/2.

speed kills....your rallies

Bonifacio picked off first, instant replay overturned original safe call.

bunting and bad baserunning so far, gonna love this team.

fuq... well, that's a hell of a way to start the season. neil f'n walker...

the reds have been doing a wonderful cubs impression with unfortunate bunting and horrible baserunning luck.

Boni did a fine job today, other than the base running. Dude needs a chill pill. Is there any precedent for PRDs (Performance reducing drugs?) if so maybe boni could use some. The big story of the day, in my opinion, was the large quantity of strikeouts from the heart of the order- that and the inability of Ninja to put down a good bunt.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • 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.