Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
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, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

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

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Rondon Makes Cub Debut & Cease Fires No Hit Stuff for AZL Cubs

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

RHP Luis Jimenez hurled five innings of shutout ball with nine strikeouts and combined with two relievers to toss a two-hit shutout, as the AZL Indians whitewashed the AZL Cubs 5-0 in Arizona League game action Saturday (5:30 PM local start time) at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ.  

RHP Dylan Cease got the start for the Cubs and had the best outing I have seen from him yet (and I have seen all of his pro game outings, including "sim" games, intrasquad games, Extended Spring Training games, and AZL games), throwing three dominating innings of no-hit ball with three strikeouts (all three swinging) and a 5/1 GO/FO. When he didn't notch a strikeout, he induced weak contact and broken bats from the Tribe hitters. He walked the first man he faced and then retired the next nine batters in a row (K, 3-U, K, 4-3, 6-3, P-6, 4-3, K, 1-3), with the walk coming around to score thanks to two stolen bases and an E-2 overthrow at 3rd base by Cubs catcher Yohan Matos. 

20-year old Venezuelan LHP Manny Rondon (acquired along with an ISBP SBV slot from the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Rafael Lopez just yesterday) made his Cub debut in the game, and looked pretty much like he did the last time I saw him, which was in his last outing for the Angels (against the Cubs) a week ago last Thursday in Tempe, when he surrendered six runs on nine hits (including two triples and a double) in 3.1 IP. This time Rondon worked four innings in relief and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits (including three singles, a double, and a triple). On the positive side, he issued no walks and struck out three (two swinging), with both swinging punch-outs coming on a two-strike change-up (which is his best pitch). And while he did get cuffed around a bit, 71% of his pitches were strikes.  

Rondon works his two-seam fastball at 88-89 MPH and occasionally touches the low 90's with it, but the change-up is his "money" pitch. To make it all work, he has to throw his fastball down at the bottom of the strike zone and can't allow it to get ripped all over the yard while setting up the change-up, and he has had trouble avoiding that outcome in his last two AZL outings. However, he did pitch very well in his first AZL appearance (getting the start and throwing five innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts for the Angels versus the A's on AZL Opening Day), and he was the DSL Angels best pitching prospect last season. So perhaps (hopefully) there is a mechanical flaw that can be corrected, and his last two outings will be remembered as just a temporary detour from the Road to Success.  

Cubs 2015 27th round draft pick INF Angelo Amendolare (Jacksonville U.) has been moved-up to AAA Iowa from the AZL Cubs before he had a chance to make his pro debut in an AZL game. Because of promotions, trades, and injuries, the I-Cubs needed bench guys ASAP, and with the 22-year old Amendolare being a mature and polished college senior from a D-1 program (with additional experience playing summer ball in the Cape Cod League last year), he got the unexpected call-up (as did IF-OF Varonex Cuevas, who moved-up to Iowa from Eugene). It's probably just a temporary assignment, but still, that's a nice way to make your pro debut (presuming he gets into a PCL game while he's there). 

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

AZL CUBS LINEUP:
1. Robert Garcia, CF: 0-3 (K, K, K, HBP)
2. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 0-4 (4-3, 4-3, 6-3, 3-6 FC)
3. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 1-4 (1B, K, L-7, 4-U FC) 
4. Joey Martarano, DH: 0-4 (4-U FC, E-5, 6-3, F-7)
5. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 0-4 (K, K, 6-3, 6-3)
6. Alex Bautista, RF: 0-4 (K, 4-3, P-6, F-8)
7. Yohan Matos, C: 0-2 (6-3, K, HBP)
8. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 0-1 (BB, BB, F-9, SB, CS)
9. Donnie Cimino, LF: 1-3 (1B, K, 5-3)

AZL CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Dylan Cease: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 5/1 GO/FO, 45 pitches (27 strikes) 
2. Tanner Griggs: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 12 pitches (11 strikes) 
3. Manny Rondon: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 5/4 GO/FO, 56 pitches (40 strikes)
4. Ariel Ovando: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0/3 GO/FO, 12 pitches (10 strikes)

AZL CUBS ERRORS: 2;
1. C Yohan Matos: E-2 (errant throw on stolen base attempt at 3rd base allowed runner to score)
2. 3B Wladimir Galindo: E-5 (two-base throwing error allowed batter to reach 2nd base safely and runner to score from 2nd)

AZL CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Yohan Matos: 0-2 CS, 1 E (see above)

Tags
AZL Cubs
Dylan Cease
Manny Rondon
Angelo Amendolare

Comments

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 07:26 am

Two Cubs minor leaguers were placed on the TEMPORARILY INACTIVE LIST yesterday because they will be playing in the Pan American games 7/11 - 7/19. 

Tennessee CF Reinaldo Almora Jr (formerly known as Albert Almora) is playing for Team USA, and South Bend 3B Jesse Hodges is playing for Team Canada. 

Submitted by Hagsag on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 07:17 am

AZ Phil, will the IFA signed on or around July 2 be signed to futures contracts to play next season or will they be playing this season? Thanks.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 07:22 am

HAGSAG: A 16-year old IFA who does not turn 17 by the conclusion of the 2015 minor league season of the minor league affiliate to which the player is first assigned MUST be "Signed for Future Service" (2016 contract). Other players (the older ones) can sign a 2015 contract and could play this season, but in practice most if not all of the older IFA who sign in July and August will also be Signed for Future Service (2016 contract), since its kind of late in the year to start playing, and any time spent on an Active Roster or DL of a minor league team in a given minor league regular season counts toward the seven seasons required for a minor league player to be eligible to be a minor league FA. 

The main effect of a player being Signed for Future Service (besides the player making his minor league debut the following season) is that the player does not have to be added to a minor league reserve list until Opening Day of the following season. The player is placed on a special list for the balance of the minor league regular season and during the off-season that excludes the player from having to be placed on a minor league reserve list until the start of the next season (after Spring Training).

Also, while a player who is Signed for Future Service can't play in a minor league game until the following season, the player can attend and fully participate in post-season Instructs (in the case of the Cubs, the player could go to AZ Instructs in Mesa and/or to Dominican Instructs at the Cubs Dominican Academy), Minor League Camp (Spring Training), and Extended Spring Training, without restriction.

While a player who is Signed for Future Service does not count against the reserve list of any minor league affiliate until Opening Day of the following season, the player's "Rule 5" clock begins ticking the day he signs. For example, if an IFA signs prior to the conclusion of the regular season of the minor league club to which he is first assigned, the player is considered to have Rule 5 liability for that season, even though he does not make his minor league debut until the folllowing season. So if an IFA signs in August, the question is what was the last date of the regular season of the minor league affiliate to which he was first assigned, and did he sign on or before that date? Since short season minor leagues conclude their regular seasons on different dates, the affiliate to which the player Signed for Future Service is first assigned makes a difference as to when the player becomes Rule 5 Draft eligible for the first time. 

A player who turns 16 anytime July 2nd through August 31st cannot sign after 8/31. If the IFA who turns 16 during the period 7/2-8/31 does not sign by August 31st, the player cannot sign until the start of the next IFA (July 2nd of the following season). 

Another issue comes into play for players who sign after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) or who sign as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) after being eligible for selection in the Rule 4 Draft. These players must be placed on a minor league active roster or minor league inactive list (DL, Restricted List, et al) no later than 15 days after signing, but the player does not count against a minor league reserve list until the lists are filed on 11/20. So for example, Ian Happ is on the Eugene Active List (Active Roster), but he is not on the Eugene Reserve List or any other minor league reserve list (not until 11/20). 

 

Submitted by CTSteve on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 07:44 am

Baxter in for Rizzo.

We're going to close the swearing jar for the next couple of hours.

Submitted by CTSteve on Sun, 07/05/2015 - 07:14 am

I meant closed as in the penalty is being suspended. Go nuts!--at least till we get a lead.

Recent comments

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18.  We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
    But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
    I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
    Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
    I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
    Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
    With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

    My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
    It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
    I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
    We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
    But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.

    If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.

    Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

    Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose  that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.

    Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.

    When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.

    Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?

    But I digress…

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.  

     

    At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.  

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