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, 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

Arrieta Leads Cubs to Doubleheader Sweep

Jake Arrieta and four relievers combined to hurl a three-hit shutout, Tommy LaStella drilled three singles, and Kelly Dugan and Ryan Kalish each belted a two-run home run, as the Iowa Cubs (AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) blanked the Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies AAA affiliate) 5-0 on Field #6, and Cael Brockmeyer ripped a double and a two-run single, David Bote collected an RBI double and a single, and four relievers combined to toss five innings of one-hit shutout relief, helping the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA affiliate) edge the New Britain Rock Cats (Rockies AA affiliate) 5-4 on Field #5, in a Cactus League Minor League Camp doubleheader played in front of a standing-room-only crowd Saturday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

Arrieta was sharp throughout his five innings (57 pitches - 72% strikes), allowing just two singles and a walk (1B, 6-4-3 DP, F-8, 4-3, P-4, F-7, 1B+E5, K, 4-3, K, 4-3, K, 4-1, BB, F-9, K, 5-3). In addition to his work on the mound, the Cubs also had Arrieta bat twice, and he struck out both times (once bunting foul for strike three while attempting a sac-bunt).  

Miguel Montero served as Arrieta's catcher, and went 0-2 with two deep F-8 fly-outs. 

Tommy LaStella (calf strain) made his second start in two days at Minor League Camp, serving as a DH for the Iowa squad. Once again, a pinch-runner ran for him when he reached base, but at the plate he was roping balls all over the yard, from foul line to foul line. I guess he's the kind of hitter who can roll out of bed anytime and anyplace and hammer line-drive after line-drive. He could probably turn around a 100 MPH fastball from a wheelchair.  

Matt Szczur (oblique strain) got the start in CF for Iowa and looked very good at the plate, on the bases, and in the field. He went 1-3 with a single, an infield pop out, and a fly out, and appeared to have no lingering issues with the oblique.  

As per usual, several players were called up to the Iowa and Tennessee squads for the day. RHRP Scott Effross was moved up from the Myrtle Beach squad and worked a scoreless 9th while picking-up the save for Tennessee on Field #5, and OF (ex-C) Yohan Matos was moved up to the Tennessee squad from the South Bend group and made a late appearance in LF. Also, 3B Wladimir Galindo, OF Michael Foster, 3B Adonis Paula, C Tyler Payne, and INF Edgar Rondon were moved-up to the Iowa squad from the South Bend group, and each saw some action in the game on Field #6 (Paula got the start at 3B for the I-Cubs). 

It would appear that C-1B Cael Brockmeyer, RHSP Brad Markey, and RHRP Juan Carlos Paniagua have been moved-down to the Tennessee squad from the Iowa group (not confirmed yet).  

Cubs Spring Training Depth Chart
Minor League Camp Rosters (updated daily)

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only): 

FIELD #5

TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1a. Danny Lockhart, 2B: 2-3 (1B, 1B, 1-3, R, CS)
1b. Chesny Young, 2B: 1-1 (1B, CS)
2a. Shawon Dunston Jr, LF: 1-3 (1B, K, F-9, R)
2b. Yohan Matos, LF: 0-1 (K) 
3a. Mark Zagunis, RF: 0-3 (5-3, K, 3-U)
3b. Billy McKinney, RF: 0-1 (3-1)
4. Cael Brockmeyer, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 2B, P-4, R, 2 RBI)
5. Victor Caratini, DH #1: 0-3 (3-U, K, F-9)
6. Jake Hannemann, CF: 0-3 (E-3, 3-U, 3-U, R)
7. Erick Castillo, C-DH: 0-3 (E-5, 5-3, E-6, R)
8. David Bote, 3B: 2-3 (1B, F-7, 2B, RBI)
9. Carlos Penalver, SS: 0-3 (F-7, 5-3, F-8)
10. Tyler Pearson, DH-C: 0-2 (K, P-2 DP)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TIME THRU BATTING ORDER 

TENNESSEE PITCHERS
1. Brad Markey: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 PO, 4/2 GO/AO, 54 pitches (35 strikes) 
2. Josh Conway: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 19 pitches (11 strikes)
3. Tyler Ihrig: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 9 pitches (6 strikes)
4. Juan Carlos Paniagua: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 29 pitches (18 strikes) 
5. Scott Effross: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 13 pitches (9 strikes)

TENNESSEE ERRORS: NONE

TENNESSEE CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Erick Castillo: 1-2 CS, 1 PO


FIELD #6 

IOWA LINEUP: 
X. Tommy LaStella, DH #1: 3-4 (1B, 1B, F-7, 1B)
NOTE: LaStella led-off the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innngs 
Y. Edgar Rondon, PR 
NOTE: Rondon served as pinch-runner when LaStella reached base 
1. Mike O'Neill, DH-CF: 0-3 (P-6, K, 5-3)
2. Matt Szczur, CF-DH: 1-3 (F-8, 1B, P-6, R)
3a. Miguel Montero, C-DH: 0-2 (F-8, F-8)
3b. Wladimir Galindo, PH: 0-1 (K)  
4. Jake Arrieta, P: 0-2 (K, K) 
5. Kelly Dugan, RF: 1-1 (BB, HR, R, 2 RBI)
6. Stephen Bruno, 2B: 0-2 (L-1 DP, 3-U) 
7. Matt Clark, DH #3:  0-2 (F-8, F-9)
8. Dan Vogelbach, 1B: 1-2 (F-7, 2B, R)
9. Ryan Kalish, LF: 2-2 (1B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB)
10. David Freitas, DH-C: 1-2 (1B, F-9)
11a. Bryant Flete, SS-DH: 0-1 (6-4 FC, RBI, CS)
11b. Tyler Payne, PH: 0-1 (F-7)
12a. Adonis Paula, 3B-DH: 0-1 (F-8) 
12b. Michael Foster, PH: 1-1 (1B, PO) 
13. Logan Watkins, DH-SS: 0-2 (4-3, K) 
14. Anthony Giansanti, DH-3B: 0-2 (F-8, 4-3) 

IOWA PITCHERS
1. Jake Arrieta: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 GIDP, 5/3 GO/AO, 57 pitches (41 strikes) 
2. Nick Greenwood: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GIO/AO, 15 pitches (7 strikes) 
3. James Pugliese: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 15 pitches (10 strikes) 
4. Armando Rivero: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 12 pitches (7 strikes) 
5. C. J. Riefenhauser: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 10 pitches (10 strikes) 

IOWA ERRORS: 2 
1. 3B Adonis Paula: E-5 (overthrow at 1st base on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd) 
2. 3B Anthony Giansanti: E-5 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely)

ATTENDANCE: 161 

WEATHER: Sunny with tempratures in the 80's  


Comments

Arizona Phil - I haven't seen any Dallas Beeler references this spring & he hasn't gotten into a game for the Cubs yet. Is he hurt? Thanks for all the great reports!

WRIGLEY RAT: I saw Dallas Beeler playing catch on the Agility Field adjacent to Field #1 this week, but I haven't seen him throw any bullpen sessions lately.

Beeler has a history of starting the season at Extended Spring Training. Last year it was his shoulder, the year before that it was his elbow, then he had a finger injury the year before that, etc, etc.  

AZ Phil, is Juan Carlos Paniagua still considered a borderline prospect or is he just an after thought these days?

HAGSAG: Sometimes Juan Carlos Paniagua looks great (like yesterday, when he was virtually unhittable), and other times he is just a train wreck.

He is a "low floor/high ceiling" guy, so unless and until he develops consistency on the ceiling side, he will be more suspect than prospect.

But he does have filthy stuff (95-96 MPH fastball with a hard slider), if he can just command it on a consistent basis.  

AZ PHIL: Hey Phil - What is your opinion, and chances of MLB shot of the following?: - Candelaria - Cease - Hanneman - Happ - Almora - Bruno - G Torres Also, have you seen one prospect that in your view could project as a TOR starter in the Lower minors? Thanks a bunch as always for the terrific reports, and of course, the Attendance and Weather figures...

#Cubs lineup vs KC: Fowler CF, Heyward RF, Bryant 3B, Riz 1B, Soler LF, Russell SS, Ross C, Kawasaki 2B, Lester P WGN game today. len/jd with the call.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

lester's cutter is nasty today through 3ip...though contact was being made on it in the 3rd...probably because he's been throwing it a lot in this game. haven't seen much of the curve (though he's thrown it this spring), but everything else seems to be on point as the spring goes on. good stuff...

EZ grounder to Lester with 2nd and 3rd occupied, looks 3rd runner back, and throws 10 feet wide left blowing ez put-out to Rizzo.

soler's 3rd of the spring comes after rizzo misses a HR by a few feet to straight center.

rondon happy has hell going into the dugout after a great looking 1-2-3 inning. also, heyward moved from RF to CF in the top 7th. also also, the cubs broke the ST attendance record...again...

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

Apparently he's had it for awhile and they were aware of it before offering him the contract. Not symptomatic but who knows if it will become an issue down the road, these things don't always act up especially if it is still attached and isn't floating around loose in the joint.

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.