Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Pedro Strop Delivers Some Heat at Indian School Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

 

Johneshwy Fargas singled twice and drove-in the tying and winning runs with a two-run double as the Giants rallied to edge the Cubs 3-2 in 12 innings in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning at Indian School Park Field #2 in Scottsdale AZ.

RHRP Pedro Strop (on the Cubs MLB 15-day DL retroactive to 5/6 - groin) started the game for the Cubs and threw one inning (12 pitches - 11 strikes), striking out three. One batter did reach base on a third strike WP, but Strop totally handcuffed the young Giants with his hard slider and mid-90's gas. He looks like he is ready to be reinstated from the DL and maybe provide some misery to big league hitters.    

The Cubs managed only four hits (three singles and a double) and struck out 13 times over the course of the 12 innings, although they did draw six walks.  

In EXST Cubs roster news, RHP Josh Davis (2013 NDFA - Belmont University) has been moved up to Daytona, and RHP Ben Wells has been sent to Extended Spring Training from Daytona. Davis began the season at Extended Spring Training, and then was moved up to Kane County on April 12th. He was sent back to EXST from KC on May 2nd.   

Also, LHP Michael Heesch (Cubs 2012 8th round draft pick - USCB) has been moved up to Kane County from Extended Spruing Training.

THE PITCHING LINES FROM JOSH DAVIS'S FOUR 2014 CACTUS LEAGUE EXST OUTINGS: 
4/9   - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/1 GO/FO, 30 pitches (23 strikes)
4/12 - AT KANE COUNTY thru 5/2
5/5   - 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 5/1 GO/FO, 33 pitches (21 strikes)
5/13 - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 36 pitches (24 strikes)   
5/17 - INTRASQUAD GAME  
5/21 - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 34 pitches (22 strikes)  
TOTAL: 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 7 K, 2 GIDP, 10/6 GO/FO, 68% strikes, 2.25 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .289 OppBA

THE PITCHING LINES FROM MICHAEL HEESCH'S FIVE 2014 CACTUS LEAGUE EXST OUTINGS: 
5/9   - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 5 pitches (4 strikes)  
5/12 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (12 strikes)
5/14 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R,0 BB, 2 K, 18 pitches (13 strikes)
5/17 - INTRASQUAD GAME
5/20 - 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 3/1 GO/FO, 42 pitches (27 strikes)
5/23 - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (10 strikes) 
TOTAL: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 5/4 GO/FO, 70% strikes, 0.00 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .227 OppBA 

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs player only):

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-3 (K, K, 4-3)
1b. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-3 (4-3, 5-3, K)
2a. Oliver Zapata, LF: 0-2  (P-4, P-4, BB)
2b. Arnaldo Calero, LF: 0-3 (6-3, 6-3, K)
3a. Rony Rodriguez, 1B: 0-1 (BB, K, BB)
3b. Roney Alcala, 1B: 1-1 (BB, 1B, R, SB)
4a. Eloy Jimenez, RF: 0-3 (K, P-6, 5-3)
4b. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 0-1 (BB, K)
5a. Tyler Alamo, C: 0-2 (6-3, F-9)
5b. Erick Castillo, PH-C: 1-3 (4-3, 1B, 1-3, RBI)
6a. Elliot Soto, SS: 1-2 (2B, F-7)
6b. Bryant Flete, PH-SS: 0-2 (3-U, K, BB, R, SB)
7a. Zak Blair, 2B: 0-2 (F-7, 3-1)
7b. Varonex Cuevas: PH-2B: 1-3 (K, F-8, 1B, RBI)
8a. Mark Malave, DH: 0-2 (6-3, 1-3)
8b. Justin Marra, PH-DH: 0-2 (F-7, K, BB, SB)
9a. Dalfis Ortiz, 3B: 0-2 (L-7, K)
9b. Adonis Paula, 3B: 0-3 (K, F-7, K)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Pedro Strop: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 1/0 GO/FO, 12 pitches (11 strikes)
2. Trey Lang: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 26 pitches (16 strikes) 
3. Jose Paulino: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 3/2 GO/FO, 33 pitches (19 strikes)  
4. Jeferson Mejia: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/2 GO/FO, 32 pitches (22 strikes)
5. Luis Hernandez: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 0/2 GO/FO, 34 pitches (19 strikes)  
6. Yomar Morel: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 19 pitches (13 strikes)
7. Francisco Carrillo: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 19 pitches (11 strikes) 
8. Carlos Llano: 0.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 0 K, 17 pitches (4 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
C Tyler Alamo - E-2 (missed catch on throw home after single to outfield allowed runner to score from 3rd base) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Tyler Alamo: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)
2. Erick Castillo: 1-4 CS

ATTENDANCE: 20

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 90's 
 

Tags
Cubs Extended Spring Training
Pedro Strop

Comments

Submitted by Carlito on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:57 am

Dear Captain Happy, I know Mike Olt's batting average is abysmal, but he is an exceptional fielder and still leads the 2014 Chicago Cubs' baseball team outright in both Homeruns and RBI. Letting him bat 5th once, returning him to 8th in the order the next day and then benching him on the 3rd day is basically inexcusable and certainly not allowing him to settle into a role and rhythm. Valbuena just made a throwing error from 3rd, the other day you removed Olt to bring in Barney for late inning defense. Barney of course made an error allowing the game to go to extra innings at which time Olt's bat was not available and we lost in the 13th with virtually no thunder in the lineup for the extra innings. Do you know something we don't regarding Olt's health? Is he a total dick and you can't stand him? Did he insult you or piss you off? I mean what's the deal? Yes I understand not having a player in the lineup for a game is typically not a big deal ... But the fairly deliberate "what have you done for me lately" bullshit that applies to Olt is frankly just ridiculous. It is predictable that you would give him ONE SHOT at batting 5th (and since he had an 0-fer he was bumped back in the lineup THE NEXT DAY then rested) and beyond infuriating. Isn't that sending a pretty cutthroat and inconsistent message to a very productive player when a player like Sureouts is given a long patient leash and Barney is played for almost no good reason at this point. I don't see how a player can thrive under the bizarre coddling/punishment system you apply to Mike Olt. Can you just quit fucking around and put the best players on the field? Love, carlito

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:22 am

Thank you for that. It really is driving me crazy. And, yes, Valbuena hit a big home run yesterday, but having Barney in the lineup, at all, is completely insane at this point. He hits like I did when I tried to play this game. If I see him in the lineup one more time at second instead of Bonifacio or Valbuena, I'm filing a police report.

Submitted by Carlito on Sat, 05/24/2014 - 05:46 pm

Whoah, Barney just intentionally walked to get to Travis Wood?!!

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:08 am

If Strop is activated soon I would guess Grimm will get sent down? I assume you keep both lefties, and the veterans Veres and Villuenva will stay. Rondon is the closer. Ramirez has a 0.84 ERA. So between Grimm and Schlitter, Grimm has had a rough month of May and Schlitter has a 1.23 ERA since being recalled in late April. He's the hot hand. With Rosscup, Rusin, and even Parker in AAA, Vizcaino perhaps on the way, it's turned into a fairly solid and deep bullpen.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:44 am

I'm wondering when Armando Rivero is going to get moved up to AAA. Also looking forward to seeing Kyle Hendricks get his crack at the MLB rotation after the inevitable trades go down--his K rate is up a bit in the early going, and his ERA and WHIP are still very solid. He and Travis Wood would make a very scrappy, grinder-y back end of the rotation. I can see them on billboards already. The Cubs are building what could be a pretty decent homegrown bullpen (Strop, Rondon, Ramirez, along with some decent arms still in minors--Vizcaino, Rosscup, Jokisch, Rivero) just as their young position players should be arriving--I'm optimistic and anticipating the arrivals of Bryant, Alcantara, Baez, Soler (OK, that might be too optimistic given the injuries), Almora in that order to join the resurgent Rizzo, Castro, and Castillo and the intriguing Olt and Lake. So that leaves the rotation, which seems to be Wood, Jackson, Arrieta, ?, ?. I like Hendricks and I think he should be the #5 by August. Edwards, Blackburn, Johnson, and Underwood are all a good distance away and as pitching prospects not in striking distance of MLB deserve no earnest projection. So where do the Cubs get top of the rotation arms for 2015-ish? Do we really think the Cubs are going to get a potential #1 ready to hit the majors for Samardzija?

Submitted by Cubster on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:52 pm

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140525&content_id=76… Theo...
"While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life he's a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization. Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference."

Submitted by Old and Blue on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:13 pm

If the Cubs were 18-5 in games where the run differential was 1 or 2 runs instead of 5-18, the trade Shark discussion would be much more interesting. Among the one or two people having it.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:16 pm

Watching Olt bat...like I say, sit Manny down next to him for a few months. Mike, stop taking such a hard swing every time. It just makes Capt. Happy look good.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 05/25/2014 - 05:43 pm

ive never thought of him as more than a .250/.330 avg/ob% type with power + high Ks as a peak...but he really needs to find some consistency aside from the power even if he's going to K a lot while doing it. as it is he's going to have to have a hell of a hot streak to even see .250/.330. with his D and ability to stick at 3rd he could make a living being a m.trumbo type, but he's not even at that benchmark yet.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 05:05 am

I'd say that just based on the way he approaches the plate he can improve. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten better instruction in the minors but it is what it is. I've seen some improvement in the way Junior Lake is approaching his at bats lately, especially when he's down a couple strikes, and I kinda thought he was a lost cause there. Reps would still be nice to see, but maybe there is a method to Capt Happy's madness. He does seem to take the youngin's out if they don't take certain approaches. For the pitchers, he clearly doesn't like walks. That's something I like about Capt Happy. And he doesn't seem to have a high tolerance for the swinging hard at everything approach either. But that doesn't excuse him not playing Olt everyday, if only because of Bryant's progress and the lack of an impact player at third. If his defense was suspect that would make me understand it a bit but it's pretty damn good.

[ ]

Submitted by Charlie on Mon, 05/26/2014 - 05:24 am

Lake's swing is pretty beautiful when he's under control and keeps his head on the ball. The thing to be concerned about, of course, is his BB:K. Last year it was a pretty poor 13:68. This year it is an atrocious 7:51. His K rate can't stay over 30% given that he walks about 5% of the time and doesn't have ridiculous power. I'm hoping that eventually those numbers will be more reasonable (at worst a 1:4, closer to what it was last year, rather than 1:7.5) and we'll think of this as just a product of a small sample size. By the way, this year the NL is averaging 2.95 BBs per game and 8.01 Ks per game, so that provides a sense of what an outlier J. Lake is thus far.

Recent comments

  • 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? 

  • 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. 

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