Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Paredes & Paulino Let Bat & Arm Do the Talking at the Stick

Isaac Paredes (2015 IFA - Mexico - $800K signing bonus) drilled an RBI single and an RBI double, Kelly Dugan singled, doubled, walked, and scored a run, and LHSP Jose Paulino tossed three innings of perfect baseball (24 pitches - 83% strikes - 6/1 GO/AO) for the Cubs, and Scott Burcham singled, doubled, and scored a run for the Rockies, as the two teams played to a 3-3 tie in Cactus League Extended Spring Training game action this morning on Dust Storm Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ. 

Shane Victorino (calf strain rehab) played LF for six innings and went 0-3 (K, L-7, E-1) at the plate. I don't know how much longer he will be down here, but he is about as ripe as a rehabber can get, and has been for several days now. Hang loose, bruddah. 

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

CUBS LINEUP:
1a. Shane Victorino, LF: 0-3 (K, L-7, E-1)
1b. Jose Gonzalez, LF: 0-1 (K)
2. Robert Garcia, RF: 0-4 (F-8, 2-3, 3-6-3 DP, F-9)
3. Trey Martin, CF: 0-3 (HBP, K, 5-3, K, R)
4a. Kelly Dugan, 1B: 2-3 (1B, 2B, 3-1, BB, R)
4b. Luis Ayala, PR: NO AB 
4c. Kevin Zamudio, 1B: NO AB 
5. Isaac Paredes, SS: 2-4 (1B, 2B, 5-3, 6-3, 2 RBI)
6a. Rafael Mejia, 3B: 0-3 (L-7, F-7, 6-3)
6b. Jhonny Bethencourt, 3B: 0-1 (K)
7a. Vimael Machin, DH: 0-1 (4-3, BB)
7b. Yonathan Perlaza, PH: 0-1 (6-3)
7c. Jhonny Pereda, C: 0-1 (6-3)
8. Alberto Mineo, C-DH: 1-2 (1-3, 1B, BB, R)
9. Jonathan Sierra, DH #2: 1-3 (4-3, 6-4 FC, 2B)
10. Rafael Narea, 2B: 1-3 (F-7, 6-3, 1B, RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS
1. Jose Paulino: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 6/1 GO/AO, 24 pitches (20 strikes) 
2. Erling Moreno: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 5/2 GO/AO, 36 pitches (22 strikes) 
3. Alexander Santana: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 2/0 GO/AO, 14 pitches (8 strikes) 
4. M. T. Minacci: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/AO, 10 pitches (7 strikes) 
5. Jared Cheek: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K,  0/1 GO/AO, 14 pitches (6 strikes) 

CUBS ERRORS: 2
1. 1B Kelly Dugan: E-3 (missed catch on attempted 5-3 put-out allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. P Alexander Santana: E-1 (throwing error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Alberto Mineo: 2-2 CS 
2. Jhonny Pereda: 1-1 CS 

CUBS BASERUNNING
Alberto Mineo - thrown out 8-2 attempting score from 2nd base on single to CF 

ATTENDANCE: 19 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

Comments

so...that schilling guy finally got fired from ESPN. yup. that's a thing that happened.

The Cubs have released RHSP  Jonathan Pettibone (ex-PHI). He was signed to a minor league contract in January and got an NRI to Spring Training, but was unable to throw off a mound (he had shoulder surgery last year) and was left behind in Mesa when the Cubs full-season minor league clubs left Arizona. He spent the past couple of weeks trying to get it going at Extended Spring Training, but it didn't work out. 

Also, the Cubs decided not to try and void LHRP Manny Parra's second minor league contract (the one he signed after being released on 3/29), and have instead placed him on the Iowa 60-day DL while he recovers from his TJS (the elbow UCL tear was detected the last week of ST when he took his physical after signing the second contract). So he will be able to utilize the club's rehab facilities at the Under Armour Performance Center in Mesa, even though he will be a minor league FA post-2016. I suspect the Cubs probably hope that they can re-sign Parra to a 2017 minor league contract after the season so that they can maybe get something back for their time & money investment.   

Other Cubs minor leaguers likely out for the 2016 season are C Will Remillard (April 2016 TJS #2) and RHP Frank Batista (knee surgery), although there are several others who may soon join the list. 

Almora on a nice streak in Iowa -- 11 for his last 23, I believe. 2B and HR tonight.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

good...because the way fowler is going he may opt out...and having almora's advanced-coverage D in CF might let schwarber more easily stick in LF. /tooearlyforthiskindoftalk that said, the way fowler's contract is structured fowler signed a 1-year deal. it would take a weird mix of mediocre/suck to have that 2nd year happen.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Dexter Fowler per Cot's Contracts: 16:$8M, 17:$9M mutual option ($5M buyout) On paper it's a 2 year (1 standard + 1 mutual option), but in effect it's a 1-year. The buyout is essentially deferred $ to make the books balance year-to-year. Nobody expects Dex to take the $9m option when he is looking at a multi year deal at >$10m per year. Something I don't know is how the 2017 mutual option impacts a qualifying offer... my guess is that a club couldn't decline an option and then make a QO, which would serve as a form of insurance for Fowler's market not being depressed again by the draft pick compensation attached to a QO. However, I am really making this up as I go now... so, yeah...

[ ]

In reply to by First.Pitch.120

FIRST PITCH: There is nothing to prevent a club from declining a $9M club option, pay a $5M buy-out, and then extend a qualifying offer to the player, although I don't know why the Cubs would pay a $5M buy-out and then extend a 2017 QO (which will be well in excess of $16M). 

If I had to guess, I would speculate that there is probably a "gentlemen's agreement" in place that if the 2017 $9M mutual option is exercised by the Cubs (so no buy-out) but then declined by Fowler, that Fowler will let the Cubs know in advance whether or not he will accept a 2017 QO, and if he says he isn't interested, the Cubs won't offer it. 

What is the temp. inactive list? I see Garner was on it for a day or two and Peralta is still on it? Thanks.

Five inning EXST Cubs intrasquad game this morning on Field #6 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Here are some of the more noteworthy performances... 

SQUAD "B" 
Jesse Hodges, 3B 2-2 (2B, HR, R, 2 RBI) - line-drive RBI double into LF corner & solo HR over LF fence  

SQUAD "A" PITCHERS 
1. Dylan Cease: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 43 pitches (23 strikes) - 94-97 MPH FB - could not command CH or CV
2. Eugenio Palma: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 0/1 GO/AO, 17 pitches (7 strikes) - 88-89 MPH FB - decent CV
3. Hector Garcia: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 0/3 GO/AO, 13 pitches (7 strikes) - 88 MPH FB - SL had good movement

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS
1. Enrique de los Rios: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 4/1 GO/AO, 28 pitches (16 strikes)  - 87-88 MPH 2-seam FB - plus CV 
2. P. J. Francescon: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 9 pitches (8 strikes) - 88-89 MPH FB - 80 MPH dive-bomb splitter
3. Pablo Ochoa: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 0/2 GO/AO, 7 pitches (6 strikes) - 91-92 MPH FB - plus CH 
4. Andri Rondon: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 13 pitches (5 strikes) - 90-92 MPH FB - had major command issues

Two more throwing errors for SQUAD "A" SS Yonathan Perlaza. Although they are at Extended Spring Training in Mesa, I expect both Aramis Ademan and Yonathan Perlaza to spend the 2016 season in the DSL (one playing SS for DSL Cubs #1 and the other playing SS for DSL Cubs #2).  

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jesse Hodges get moved-up to South Bend sooner rather than later, sharing 3B-DH with Matt Rose (and Rose can also play 1B). Hodges was really driving the ball with authority today, and he also has been playing outstanding "D" at 3B. 

RHRP P. J. Francescon (the closer at AA Tennessee in 2015) is serving a 50-game Drug of Abuse suspension, and he can be reinstated on May 27th. Although he is on the Restricted List, Francescon is eligible to participate in Extended Spring Training. His splitter was just plain filthy today. Reminded me of Rod Beck.  

While the intrasquad game was in progress, RHP (ex-INF) Francisco Garay and RHP (ex-OF) Wander Feliz threw "live" BP on Field #5 (two innings each - 15 pitches each inning). Garay and Feliz are the only two position-player to pitcher conversions undertaken by the Cubs this season (so far).  

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).