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

Lester Throws in Intrasquad Game at Riverview

John Andreoli and Ryan Dent slugged solo home runs and Rubi Silva drilled a two-run single, leading the Iowa Cubs to a 4-3 victory over the Tennessee Smokies in a five-inning Spring Training minor league intrasquad game played on Field #1 at Mesa CubTown at Riverview Park this morning. 

Victor Caratini belted a two-run double and drew a walk and Kevin Brown singled, doubled, and scored a run for the Smokies. 

Jon Lester got the start for the I-Cubs, and threw 84 pitches (62 strikes) while facing 20 hitters. He allowed eight hits (two doubles, a triple, and five singles) and no walks (but two wild pitches), and he struck out four (two looking and two swinging), with a 1/6 GO/FO. Lester threw 81 pitches through four innings and and it looked like his day might be over, but then he went back out to the mound and faced one batter (Jeffrey Baez) in the top of the 5th, who rifled a triple on an 0-2 pitch. At that point, Lester was relieved.  

Lester looked VERY hittable today as the young Smokies hitters consistently squared his offerings up and made lots of hard contact. If the Cubs want to get Lester another minor league start before he faces MLB hitters, they could put him on the 15-day DL retroactive to last Friday (nine days prior to MLB Opening Day being the furthest back a DL stint can be backdated during Spring Training), and maybe have him start a minor league game this coming Sunday (the last day of Cactus League Minor League Spring Training games), and then he would be eligible to be reinstated from the DL on Saturday April 11th. (NOTE: MLB Cactus League and Grapefruit League Spring Training games are considered "official" games, so players on the DL cannot play in these games, and a DL stint cannot be backdated past the last time the player appeared in an official MLB Spring Training game; but pitching or playing in a minor league Spring Training game or in an intrasquad game does not affect DL eligiblity as far as backdating the DL stint is concerned, and a player on the DL can play in a minor league Spring Training game and/or in an intrasquad game without restriction). 

Despite being sent down by the Cubs on Monday, Javy Baez, Kris Bryant, and Addison Russell have yet to take the field at Minor League Camp. None of the three played in the Futures Game last night at Sloan Park (and the Cubs sure could have used them, too), none of the three participated in work-outs (fielding practice, baserunning drills, and BP) with the Iowa squad this morning, and none of the three played in the Lester intrasquad game (and they were not on the bench, either). So it's very possible that Baez, Bryant, and Russell are still with the big club, despite being technically on the Iowa roster.   

The game was called with two outs in the top of the 5th inning. 

Here is the box score from this morning's intrasquad game: 

TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Albert Almora, DH: 2-3 (1B, 1B, L-5, R)
2. Jeffrey Baez, CF: 1-3 (K, P-3, 3B, R) 
3. Victor Caratini, C: 1-2 (E-5, 2B, BB, 2 RBI)
4. Jeimer Candelario, 3B: 0-3 (F-8, K, 4-6-3 DP)
5. Bijan Rademacher, RF: 0-2 (4-3, F-7) 
6. Ben Carhart, 2B: 0-2 (F-9, K) 
7, Carlos Penalver, SS: 1-2 (L-8, 1B) 
8. Dustin Geiger, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B) 
9. Kevin Brown, LF: 2-2 (2B, 1B, R) 

IOWA LINEUP
X. David Ross, C: 1-4 (5-3, K, P-5, 1B, R)
NOTE: Ross batted 2nd in the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings
1. John Andreoli, CF: 2-2 (HR, 2B, R, RBI)
2. Mike Baxter, 1B: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
3. Kyle Schwarber, DH #1: 0-2 (3-U, K) 
4. Dan Vogelbach, DH #2: 0-2 (K, K) 
5. Jae-Hoon Ha, LF: 2-2 (1B, 2B, R)
6. Rubi Silva, RF: 1-2 (6-3 FC, 1B, 2 RBI)
7. Chris Valaika, SS: 0-1 (BB, F-8) 
8. Stephen Bruno, 2B: 0-1 (6-3) 
9. Ryan Dent, 3B: 1-1 (HR, R, RBI)

TENNESSEE PITCHERS:
Felix Pena; 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 5/2 GO/FO, 75 pitches (50 strikes)   

IOWA PITCHERS
1. Jon Lester: 4.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 2 WP, 1/6 GO/FO, 84 pitches (62 strikes) 
2. Michael Wagner: 0.2, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1/0 GO/FO, 7 pitches (5 strikes)

TENNESSEE ERRORS: NONE 

IOWA ERRORS: 1 
3B Ryan Dent - E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

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

ATTENDANCE: 26 


Comments

Triple :: Willson Contreras triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Alex Burg. Jacob Hannemann scores. Wes Darvill scores. ...ah, late inning + end of march spring training games. also, they lit up fuji (who's with TEX now).

Hail Szczur!!!

Lake sent down, along with Rosscup and Schlitter.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Jumped the gun I guess, Muskat says Herrera still in the mix

@CarrieMuskat It's down to Sweeney vs Szczur vs Herrera for final 2 spots. Denorfia likely to open on DL. Coghlan day to day now. #Cubs;

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Not at all interested in Herrera. Journeyman with below average stats, including an OBP last year of .307. Szczur has looked really good this spring and is driving the ball. However, he probably doesn't have much of a chance, after winning that NCAA bet against the Maddonini.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

Why would you want Herrera to hit for any of LaStella, Alcantara or Olt? He's not as good a hitter as any of them (unless you count Olt pre-August 2014). The way Szczur is driving the ball, and with his approach to the game, it would be criminal to not have him on the roster. His hitting is not Arizona-aided. He's driving the ball with extreme authority. I'm biased towards the youngsters generally, but in this case it's a clear case of a guy who has had a remarkably good spring training and should not be rewarded with those efforts with a demotion, and I don't care about how many options he has or doesn't have.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

The idea is not that you would have Herrera hit for any of them. The idea is that you may want, for example, Olt to pinch hit for the pitcher. You then double switch and put Olt in at 3B, move La Stella to 2B, and take out Alcantara from the game. But now that's it. You are locked in with your defensive 1B-2B-3B-SS and their batting order for the rest of the game. You can't make any defensive substitutions there or pinch hit for any of them. That is severely limiting, and it makes it easier for opposing managers to plan pitching matchups. And if anyone gets injured you are screwed. Rizzo pulls up with a bit of a tight hammy. No big deal, just needs to come out of the game and rest a bit. So you can move Olt to 1B, right? Except who plays 3B? La Stella could, but then who plays 2B? Ideally you have 2 catchers and carry them both, but it is what it is. Szczur did great and he will certainly be up at some point. But I expect him to start in AAA with Sweeney and Herrera up. If Sweeney continues to suck, he might be released at some point into the season.  

[ ]

In reply to by WISCGRAD

Okay, thanks W, that makes some sense - they need another infielder. But in that case, I'd still take Szczur over Sweeney right now. A bit of a gamble perhaps, but if the idea is to go into the season with the hot hand, just cut the guy who by all marks has lost his job over the guy who has by all marks, won the job. It seems like every time the Cubs put a bunch of runs on the board, Szczur is in the middle of it. Even his homers seem to be hard hit, not lucky flukes. Sweeney's 2013 and 2014 lines, combined with his spring (small sample size) is the classic journeyman's stats line. It won't be the end of the world if he goes down I guess, but it doesn't seem fair to other AAA teams for Iowa to field a lineup with Braynt, Russell, Baez, and Szczur. They may need to invoke the slaughter rule.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

While I think it is necessary for the Cubs to carry a utility infielder on the 25-man roster (in addition to Alcantara) who can play SS (as well as 2B-3B), it doesn't necessaily have to be Jonathan Herrera. 

This is the time of Spring Training when players on MLB 40-man rosters become available (either by trade or waiver claim) because they are out of options, or NRI guys with MLB experience who don't make the 40 can be easily acquired in a trade.

For example, the Cubs acquired Luis Valbuena (who was out of minor league options) off waivers from Toronto at the end of Spring Training in 2012, Donnie Murphy was claimed off waivers by Texas at the end of Spring Training last year, and Andres Blanco was traded to Texas at the end of Spring Training in 2010.   

The Miami Marlins just sent Reid Brignac (who played for Maddon in TB) to Minor League Camp, and he probably would be available in a trade for cash and/or "future considerations." 

So not to say that it won't be Herrera or that it would have to be Brignac, but it could be someone other than Herrera.   

 

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2015/04/01/cubs-extra-bases-2b3b-combo-lester…

Cubs will rotate between LaStella, Alcantara and Olt at 2B and 3B

btw, if I'm reading the depth charts and schedule right, the only potential LH starting pitcher Cubs will face in first 2 weeks is Tyler Matzek in Colorado depending on how their rotation shakes out. As far as I can tell, no other team even has a lefty in their rotation (Cardinals, Rockies, Reds, Padres). Rockies also have De La Rosa, but he'll be out for Cubs series for sure.

[ ]

In reply to by Tito

fowler, pitcher slot, alcantara, rizzo, a penguin, montero, ben zobrist fathead poster, lastella, cubs "best costume" winner... that's my prediction for the opening day lineup. this is a guy who created a lineup to "honor" tommy tutone with a "867-5309 lineup" last year...in a game that counted. fun times.

i know it's just spring training and all that, but is there any specific reason that j.lester was stashed away tossing innings in the minor league camp even after his "dead arm" thing cleared up?

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I read the answer to this question from some other post on this site I think. It had to do with being allowed to retroactively put him on the 15-day DL. A minor league spring game apparently doesn't count against that. (that's all assuming whoever wrote this was right..but it sounds logical enough)

Heard a long interview with Chris Archer today on MLB radio and he is a really impressive person. Very thoughtful, mindful and somewhat intellectual -- very impressive approach to baseball and I really liked him. Wish to f%ck McNutt had gone south in that deal instead. Oh well...

[ ]

In reply to by Carlito

archer is sneaky smart...really into humanity and how we think, act, and socialize with each other. he's doing more with his off-diamond baseball life than playing cards on the plane. david price up'd his game in that department...speaking of sneaky smart. there's more to (some) newschool baseball players than neck tattoos and screwed up facial hair. good times.

Check out the first comment from the article linked to in the tweet box - linked here for your convenience: http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/115830118/sabermetrics-managers-de… Wow, and I thought *I* was old. He may have a point about there being no competitive advantage if everyone is doing it, but that is a long long way down the road. I think it's pretty cool. Didn't I see Rizzo batting lead off one game this spring? Not sure but I think I may have. Gonna be a fun year, gentleman. Enjoy the ride.

[ ]

In reply to by Old and Blue

not touching the comment...just the article, but tony larussa would like to have a word with brian kenny about not noticing what he was doing over a decade ago. also, clint hurdle is more talk than action when it comes to the things Kenny's lauding in the article...good maddon-like personality manager, though.

Szczur is Gritty. AZ PHIL: Since you have seen the 'Nova Ultraback, are you of the opinion now that he will have a decent career in the MLB? It seems as if he may have figured some things out at the plate, for sure.. But I know you have been following him since draft so probably see the coaches working with him. Such a good dude to root for.

A. Vizcaino suspended 80 games for testing positive for PED's...traded to Cubs for Maholm, traded back for LaStella.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

holy crap...that only leaves him with 2 months of minor league ball to return to. his very young career is already littered with too much time off. bullet dodged for the cubs...unless lastella sucks. btw, for all the knocks on his D in the past he sure looked good there this spring. his range, glove, footwork, and arm all seemed to be good enough for him to stick at the position even if he'll probably not be in any gold glove discussions. i don't really have an opinion of his play at 3rd because i didn't see much of it.

i hope the cubs are in on this hour+ old t.cahill from ARZ to ATL trade rumor... it would be nice to settle the welly issue and (hopefully) make everyone happy.

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat Tsuyoshi Wada struck out 7 over 3 IPs pitching in a Minor League game today. All went well. #Cubs

CRUNCH: Not true.  

Wada threw 3.1 IP, and struck out four.   

In fact the outs went: K, 5-3, K, F-9, 6-3, L-1, P-2,-P-3, K, K. Three of the four strikeouts were called third strikes, the other was swinging.  

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • 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.