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

Cubs Rally to Tie Brew Crew in Maryvale

Alberto Mineo (two-run single, RBI triple, and a walk) and Tyler Pearson (two walks and a double) reached base three times a piece for the Cubs, and Gilbert Lara (RBI triple), David Denson (RBI double), and Yerald Martinez (RBI double) stroked run-scoring extra-base hits in a three-run fourth, CF Joantgel Segovia drilled three singles, stole two bases, drove-in two runs, and threw out a runner on the bases, and RHP J. B. Kole threw five innings of two-hit ball for the Brewers, as the Cubs rallied for two runs in the top of the 9th and played the Brewers to a 6-6 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #7 (AKA "Paul Molitor Field") at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, AZ.  

Before Kole entered the game, the Cubs scored two runs on four hits in the top of the 1st inning off 6'9 RHP Johnny Hellweg, who is on the Brewers MLB 60-day DL while rehabbing from 2014 Tommy John Surgery.  

RHP Austyn Willis got the start for the Cubs and retired nine of the first ten men he faced on just 27 pitches, before running into trouble in the fourth when the Brew Crew plated three runs on a single, the Lara triple, and the Denson and Martinez doubles.

RHRP Corbin Hoffner worked the 8th and the 9th for the Cubs and did not allow a run, retiring six of the seven men he faced (three strikeouts and three ground outs) to preserve the tie. His new extreme sidearm (almost submarine) delivery coupled with lots of off-speed stuff (AKA "junk") really kept the Brewers hitters off-stride.

In EXST Cubs roster news, RHRPs Brad Markey and Daniel Lewis have been moved up to Lo-A South Bend, replacing RHPs James Norwood and Jake Stinnett, who were placed on the SB 7-day DL.  

The 23-year old Markey was the Cubs 2014 19th round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, and he worked in 15 games (combined) out of the AZL Cubs and Boise bullpens after signing in June. He was left behind at Extended Spring Training despite spending much of Minor League Camp with the Hi-A Myrtle Beach squad, but he has pitched very well at EXST, and it was just a matter of time before he got his Letter of Transit out of Casablanca.  

Although Daniel Lewis is 24, he has only been pitching for a year. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force after finishing high school, and enrolled in Pensacola JC after being discharged in 2013. The Cubs signed him as a Non-Drafted Free Agent (NDFA) in July 2014 after scouting him in the Cape Cod League (probably the top collegiate summer league), and he appeared in eight games out of the Boise bullpen after signing. He attended AZ Instructs post-2014 but he did not pitch well there. Lewis features a high-octane 94-MPH fastball, but his command is spotty and his secondary pitches are raw. 


BRAD MARKEY - 2015 CACTUS LEAGUE EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING GAMES 
1. 4/17: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO, 18 pitches (11 strikes)
2. 4/21: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 15 pitches (10 strikes)
3. 4/24: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1/3 GO/FO, 30 pitches (18 strikes)
4. 4/29: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 PO, 3/1 GO/FO, 24 pitches (16 strikes)
5. 5/5: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 B, 0 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 17 pitches (13 strikes)
6. 5/9: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 23 pitches (16 strikes)
TOTAL: 10.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 6 K, 1 PO, 12/11 GO/FO, 66% strikes, 1.80 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, .172 OppBA

DANIEL LEWIS  - 2015 CACTUS LEAGUE EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING GAMES 
1. 4/17: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 1/2 GO/FO, 17 pitches (8 strikes)
2. 4/20: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 2/2 GO/FO, 23 pitches (14 strikes)
3. 4/24: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (11 strikes)
4. 4/28: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER),  0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 5/1 GO/FO, 20 pitches (15 strikes)
5. 5/1: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 0/3 GO/FO, 17 pitches (9 strikes)
6. 5/5: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 18 pitches (12 strikes)
7. 5/8: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB, 1 K, 2 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 44 pitches (19 strikes)
8. 5/13: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 4/2 GO/FO, 36 pitches (19 strikes)
TOTAL: 12.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER), 9 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 3 WP, 2 GIDP, 17/11 GO/FO, 56% strikes, 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .150 OppBA     

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


CUBS LINEUP
1. Kevonte Mitchell, CF: 0-4 (E-6, 4-3, 5-4 FC, BB, 6-3, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, DH-SS: 0-5 (6-4 FC, F-7, F-7, L-8, E-4, R)
3. Kevin Encarnacion, RF: 0-5 (K, L-6, 4-3, F-9, 4-3)
4. Frandy de la Rosa, 2B: 1-3 (1B, K, BB, F-9, 2 R) 
5. Eloy Jimenez, LF: 1-4 (1B, 6-3, 5-3, 5-3) 
6. Alberto Mineo, C-1B: 2-3 (1B, K, 3B, BB, 3 RBI)
7. Tyler Alamo, 1B-C: 1-4 (1B, 5-3, F-9, 5-4 FC)
8. Adonis Paula, 3B; 1-3 (E-6, 2B, BB, 5-3, CS)
9. Ho-Young Son, SS-DH: 0-2 (5-4 FC, BB, 6-4 FC, HBP, 2 R, 2 SB)
10a. Tyler Pearson, DH #2: 1-2 (K, BB, BB, 2B) 
10b. Danny Gutierrez, PR: NO AB (R) 

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Austyn Willis: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 4/4 GO/FO, 49 pitches (33 strikes) 
2. Daniel Bard: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP, 3/0 GO/FO, 21 pitches (11 strikes) 
3. Sam Wilson: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 PO, 0/3 GO/FO, 36 pitches (23 strikes) 
4. Corbin Hoffner: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 3/0 GO/FO, 26 pitches (18 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. P Daniel Bard: E-1 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base safely) 
2. SS Ho-Young Son: E-6 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Alberto Mineo: 0-2 CS 
2. Tyler Alamo: 0-2 CS 

ATTENDANCE: 11 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 80's 

Comments

Bruce Miles ‏@BruceMiles2112 20m20 minutes ago Chicago, IL Can confirm #Cubs DFA Coke and send Schlitter to Iowa. Lake and Wada up. Pen has 3 lefties now. @CarrieMuskat reported

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

The Cubs may be able to option Phil Coke to the minors (if they wish to do so), if Coke signed a 45-day waiver when he was promoted to the MLB 40-man roster at the conclusion of Spring Training. (Same goes for James Russell).

There is a provision in the CBA where a player who has to give his consent before he can be optioned (players with at least five years of MLB Service Time or vested NPB players) can sign a 45-day waiver at the time they are added to an MLB 40-man roster that gives the club the right to option the player to the minors within 45 days of the waiver being signed. (Tsuyoshi Wada signed one last year when he was added to the Cubs 40-man roster in June).

The only players who sign this kind of waiver are players with at least five years of MLB Service Time (or vested NPB players) who are signed to minor league contracts, and it's sometimes used by the club as part of the agreement to add the player to the club's MLB 40-man roster.   

If a 45-day waiver was signed by the player, Optional Assignment Waivers would have to be secured before the player could be optioned, but Optional Assignhment Waivers are usually just a formality. 

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

For those not paying attention to my every post for some strange reason, that's a follow up to my original reaction to Schlitter being called up again.

Is the Lake/Szczur shuffle a timing thing (i.e. does Matt have to stay down for a given period of time)? Otherwise -- WTF?

BILLY B: Szczur has to stay in the minors at least ten days after being optioned unless he is recalled to replace a player on the 25-man roster who is placed on the 7-day (concussion), 15-day, or 60-day DL or other MLB Inactive List (Bereavement List, Paternity Leave List, etc), or he can be recalled as the 26th man in a doubleheader (if the Cubs had a doubleheader during the ten-day waiting period). 

I think the Cubs probably intended to reactivate Tom LaStella in San Diego, but then he apperarently reinjured his rib cage in a rehab game at AA Tennessee over the weekend. . 

AZ Phil: Who among the Cubs do you currently project to be first-time arbitration eligible this winter?

[ ]

In reply to by John Beasley

JOHN B: Check this one.... 

link

I don't have Wada listed as a potential "Super Two" arbitration eligible player post-2015 because as an NPB vested player (where NPB Service Time counts toward MLB Service Time for purposes of free-agency), he is eligible to be an Article XX-B free-agent when his contract expires post-2015, and so salary arbitration shouldn't be a factor for him, unless he wants it that way  


The difference between Turner and Schlitter is that Turner doesn't have any minor league options left and Schlitter does, so if Turner remains on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster (and/or 60-day DL) through the rest of the 2015 MLB regular season, he would automatically qualify for salary arbitration, because he can't be optioned to the minors.

For Schlitter, being arbitration-eligible depends on how much MLB Service Time he accrues in 2015 between Optional Assignments (142 days accrued and he qualifies automatically), keeping in mind that to qualify as a "Super Two" he must meet the "Super Two" cut-off (which is TBD until after the MLB regular season, but probably won't be less than 2+125) AND he must accrue at least 86 days of MLB Service Time in 2015 to qualify as a "Super Two" even if he were to exceed the "Super Two" cut-off.

But I would think that if Schlitter were to qualify for salary arbitation post-2015 (either automatically or by "Super Two"), he will just be non-tendered. 

 

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Actually, the Cubs could be getting a catcher back in the deal, one that can be sent to the minors (Welington Castillo is out of minor league options). 

Seattle's "third catcher" John Hicks is on the Mariners MLB 40-man roster and is presently on Optional Assignment to AAA Tacoma (PCL), so he could be the return. He was rated one of the Mariners Top 15 prospects by Baseball America pre-2015 (he is an outstanding defensive catcher), but he has had a poor season at the plate at AAA so far. FWIW, Hicks was a teammate of AA Tennessee's 2B Stephen Bruno at UVA.  

The Mariners also have a 2015 Competitive Balance pick between the 2nd & 3rd rounds (#72 overall) in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft (Rule 4 Draft) that can be traded.  

 

the amount of welly-for-felix jokes is too damn high... it was mildly clever an hour and 1000 other people ago.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

i don't dislike the trade. we are talking about a backup-catcher/fringe-starter type guy who wasn't going to fetch a ton in this market...his biggest upsides being his club control, arm, and above-average power. the cubs need what they got more than they need what they gave up in a C market so crowded that values are depressed.

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.