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

Eugene Emeralds, AZL Cubs, and Mesa Rehab Rosters (updated 6/13)

The Cubs Extended Spring Training squad has been split into three groups:

Eugene Emeralds
AZL Cubs
Mesa Rehab 

MINOR LEAGUE SERVICE TIME & ROSTER LIMITS

For the purpose of determining minor league roster limits & restrictions, a minor league player accrues a year of "service time" for every season in which the player spends at least 30 days on an MLB and/or minor league active list and/or disabled list, unless the player spent the entire season on the Disabled List.

1. Service time accrued by a player while assigned to a club or clubs in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) and/or Venezuelan Summer League (VSL) does not count when determining minor league roster limits and restrictions for minor league clubs in non-foreign affilated leagues.

2. A position player making a position change to pitcher or a pitcher making a position change to position player receives a one-year exemption from minor league service time restrictions. However, a position player being converted to a pitcher may not be used as a position player in a minor league game during the exempt year, and a pitcher being converted to a position player may not be used as a pitcher in a minor league game during the exempt year.

3. A player on a minor league "rehab" assignment does not count against the Active List or Reserve List of the affiliate to which he is assigned.

4. A maximum of three players on a minor league rehab assignment may be assigned to any one affiliate at any one time, but there is no limit to the number of players who can be on a minor league rehab assignment with the organization's Extended Spring Training and post-season Instructional League squads.

EUGENE (SS-A): 
ROSTER LIMITS: 35 players (RESERVE LIST) - 35 players (ACTIVE LIST) - 25 players designated "ACTIVE" for each game (ten must be pitchers) 
SERVICE TIME LIMITS: Beginning on July 1st, maximum three players with four or more years of service time (VSL/DSL service time excluded)
OPENING DAY: Friday 6/17 versus Boise 

AZL CUBS (SS-R):
 
ROSTER LIMITS: 35 players (RESERVE LIST) - 35 players (ACTIVE LIST) - 30 players designated "ACTIVE" for each game (ten must be pitchers) 
SERVICE TIME LIMITS: Beginning on July 1st, no players with three or more years of service time (VSL/DSL service time excluded)  
OPENING DAY: Monday 6/20 versus AZL Brewers 

Here are the rosters as of 9 AM (MST) this morning:

Also see 2016 Cubs Cactus League Extended Spring Training final stats 


EUGENE EMERALDS: 33

Updated 6-13-2016

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

PITCHERS: 18
Jesus Castillo 
Dylan Cease
Jared Cheek
Enrique de los Rios
P. J. Francescon
Scott Frazier
* Bryan Hudson
John Michael Knighton 
Mark Malave 
M. T. Minacci 
Tommy Nance
* Jose Paulino
* Tyler Peitzmeier
* C. J. Riefenhauser 
* Manny Rondon
Alexander Santana
Pedro Silverio
* Justin Steele

CATCHERS
: 3 
Marcus Mastrobuoni 
* Alberto Mineo
Tyler Payne

INFIELDERS: 7
Wladimir Galindo 
* Vimael Machin
Andruw Monasterio
Jose Paniagua
# Yeiler Peguero
* Chris Pieters
Matt Rose

OUTFIELDERS: 5
Michael Foster
# Robert Garcia
* Ricardo Marcano
Kevonte Mitchell 
* D. J. Wilson

MANAGER: 
Jesus Feliciano

COACHES 
Brian Lawrence (Pitching Coach) 
Gary Van Tol (Assistant Coach)
Ty Wright (Hitting Coach) 

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH 
Ryan Nordtvedt 

ATHLETIC TRAINER
Logan Severson 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AZL CUBS
: 23 

Updated 6-13-2016

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

PITCHERS: 10
Jose Albertos
Luis Aquino 
Javier Assad 
* Yapson Gomez
Jose Leidenz
Junior Marte
Erling Moreno
* Eugenio Palma 
Andry Rondon
Ho-Young Son (ex-INF)

CATCHERS
: 3 
Eric Gonzalez
Jhonny Pereda
Gustavo Polanco

INFIELDERS
: 5
Jhonny Bethencourt
Rafael Mejia
Isaac Paredes 
# Edgar Rondon 
Kevin Zamudio

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Luis Ayala
Jose Gonzalez 
* Kwang-Min Kwon
Yohan Matos (ex-C)
* Ruben Reyes

MANAGER
Carmelo Martinez 

COACHES 
Armando Gabino (Pitching Coach) 
Jeremy Farrell (Hitting Coach) 
Jonathan Mota (Assistant Coach) 
Jose Zapata (Assistant Pitching Coach) 

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH 
Dallas Lopez 

ATHLETIC TRAINER
Adrian Pettaway 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MESA REHAB: 23 

Updated 6-13-2016

* bats or throws left 
# bats both

PITCHERS: 18
Andury Acevedo (May 2016 knee surgery)
Jeffry Antigua (???)
Frank Batista (April 2016 TJS)
Jordan Brink (post-2015 right shoulder surgery)
Cole Brocker (???)
Jesus Camargo (???)
Aaron Crow (April 2015 TJS)
Oscar de la Cruz (right elbow)
Andin Diaz (left elbow)
Stephen Fife (oblique strain)
Tanner Griggs (???)
Luis Hernandez (???)
* Jack Leathersich (July 2015 TJS)
Gabriel Lima (???)
Joe Nathan (April 2015 TJS)
Manny Parra (April 2016 TJS)
Zac Rosscup (May 2016 left shoulder surgery) 
Ryan Williams (???)

CATCHERS
: 2
Taylor Davis (???) 
Will Remillard (April 2016 TJS #2) 

INFIELDERS: 2
Adonis Paula (broken left hand)
Christian Villanueva (fractured fibula)

OUTFIELDERS: 1
Ryan Kalish (May 2016 appendectomy) 

REHAB TRAINING COORDINATOR 
Chuck Baughman  

COACHES 
Lance Rymel (Assistant Rehab Coach/Bullpen Catcher)
Ron Villone (Rehab Pitching Coach) 

Comments

After the conclusion of Sunday morning's workout at Riverview Park, there was a brief (two-inning) intrasquad game played on Field #1 so that Dylan Cease and Bryan Hudson could have a final tune-up before their scheduled starts for Eugene versus Boise this coming Friday and Saturday respectively. 

Here is the box score from the game (the squads had not yet been divided into "Eugene" & "AZL Cubs") : 

SQUAD "B" LINEUP
1. D. J,. Wilson, CF: 0-1 (P-5)
2. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 0-1 (4-3)
3. Chris Pieters, 1B: 0-0 (BB, SB)
4. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 0-0 (BB)
5. Gustavo Polanco, C: 0-1 (F-9)
6. Ricardo Marcano, RF: 0-1 (F-8)
7. Yohan Matos,LF: 0-1 (K) 
8. Edgar Rondon, 2B: 0-0 (BB) 
9. Jose Gonzalez, DH: 0-1 (L-8) 

SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Robert Garcia, CF: 0-1 (5-3)
2. Yeiler Peguero, 2B: 1-1 (1B, CS)
3. Kevonte Mitchell, RF: 0-0 (BB) 
4. Matt Rose, 1B: 0-1 (L-7)
5. Jose Paniagua, DH: 0-0 (BB)
6. Isaac Paredes, SS: 0-1 (F-8)
7. Alberto Mineo, C: 0-1 (3-6 FC) 
8. Kwang-Min Kwon, LF: 1-1 (2B) 
9. Rafael Mejia, 3B: NO AB

CUBS SQUAD "B" PITCHER:
Bryan Hudson: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 2/2 GO/AO, 33 pitches (17 strikes)

CUBS SQUAD "A" PITCHER:
Dylan Cease:  2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1/4 GO/AO, 37 pitches (21 strikes) 

CUBS SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Gustavo Polanco: 1-1 CS

CUBS SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE:  
Alberto Mineo: 0-1 CS 

SQUAD "B" ERRORS: NONE 

SQUAD "A" ERRORS: NONE 

SQUAD "B" OUTFIELD ASSISTS
CF D. J. Wilson - baserunner  (Alberto Mineo) thrown out 986-2 attmpting to score from 1st base on two-out double to right-centerfield 

ATTENDANCE: 1 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures 100+ 

The Eugene Emeralds are on their way to Sky Harbor Airport, but the AZL Cubs had a work-out this morning (Monday) at Riverview Park. 

RHRP Jordan Brink (post-2015 right shoulder surgery) and LHRP Andin Diaz (left elbow/triceps injury) each threw "live" BP (first time this season for both of them), one inning (20 pitches) each.

Among the hitters facing Brink and Diaz were AAA Iowa OF Ryan Kalish (May 2015 appendectomy) and South Bend 3B Adonis Paula (April 2015 broken hand), Kalish also participated fully in outfield & baserunning drills, and looks to be in good shape.  

3B Christian Vilanueva had his first  BP session since breaking his leg in a Spring Training work-out in February, and he launched four balls over the LF fence. Then he took about 50 grounders on the half-field. Villanueva is out of minor league options, so once he has completed his 21-day Article XiX-C minor league injury rehab assignment (which will probably begin next Monday at AZL Cubs) the Cubs will have to figure out what to do with him. A one-time Baseball America Top 100 prospect, Villanueva is actually still a decent 3B prospect, and if the Cubs can't find a spot for him on their MLB 25-man roster, another MLB club probably can/will.

RHSP Oscar de la Cruz (right elbow soreness) threw a 25-pitch bullpen side-session this morning and apparently had no problems, unlike last week when his bullpen was shut-down after only a half-dozen pitches. One of the Cubs top prospects (he was ranked as the Cubs #3 pitching prospect and their 8th best overall prospect by Baseball America coming into the 2016 season), de la Cruz has not pitched in a game since being shut-down with a sore elbow at Minor League Camp in March.  

RHP (ex-INF) Ho-Young Son threw a bullpen side-session with the other nine AZL Cubs pitchers this morning, and his fastball sure has a lot of movement (it's almost uncatchable). With his extreme sidearm delivery, Son is being groomed as a one-inning reliever. 

Phil, did anything on the respective rosters surprise you? And thanks again for your great reporting all year!

Phil, Forgive my apparent ignorance, but what on earth is the manager of the Emeralds supposed to do with 18 pitchers? Seems like maybe a half dozen too many. Double headers every day in the Northwest league?

[ ]

In reply to by champsummers

obligatory "not phil, but..." a chunk of guys in eugene will be working on things as much off-game as in-game. they may not get as much in-game work as some guys in full-season leagues, but it's not exactly uncommon to see games where relievers or innings-restricted starters start a game only to put in a few innings. it's a league populated by a chunk of guys that are filtered for a better challenge than what's going to be left in arizona, or are "sent down" from higher levels because they're struggling at higher level full-season minor league ball. they may still be working on things or refining things, but when they are in-game they can at least face a decent level of talent.

CHAMP: The Eugene and AZL Cubs rosters are fluid and will change almost daily. For example, LHRP Tyler Peitzmeier was moved up to South Bend after yesterday morning's workout (before the Emeralds left for Eugene), and Francescon and Riefenhauser might not even pitch at Eugene (they could get assigned to Tennessee or get released in the next few days). A couple of more players presently assigned to Eugene could get released in the next few days, too, and especially once the draft picks start to arrive.  

Draft picks and NDFA must be placed on a minor league active list or DL no later than 15 days after the club files the player's contract with the MLB office, and many of the draftees will be assigned to Eugene. So eventually there will actually be 20-21 pitchers on the Eugene active roster, including maybe as many as 9-10 2016 draft picks. 

It was the final tune-up for AZL Cubs Opening Day starter RHP Erling Moreno, as the 6'7 Colombian worked in a three-inning initrasquad "sim" game played this morning on Field #1 at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Moreno pitched three shutout innings (47 pitches), allowing four singles and a walk while striking out one and inducuing one GIDP, with a 5/1 GO/AO.  

Ex-NYM LHRP Jack Leathersich (July 2016 TJS) and RHRP Tanner Griggs also pitched in the game. Leathersich struck out four (all four swinging) and walked one in two hitless innings.

Because the AZL Cubs do not have enough position players in camp to field two full teams, there was no batting order or "teams" for the position players. Instead, they rotated in and out of the field in groups of three or four, getting two or three PA a piece (which is why it was considered a "sim" game rather than a traditional intrasquad game).

Here is the abridged box score from the game:  

POSITION PLAYERS:
Eric Gonzalez, C: 1-3 (6-4-3 DP, 6-3, 1B, 2 RBI)
Jhonny Pereda, C: 1-2 (6-3, 3B, R)
Guatavo Polanco, 1B: 1-2 (K, 1B)
Edgar Rondon, 2B-SS: 0-2 (4-3, 1-3)
Jhonny Bethencourt, 2B: 0-0 (BB, BB)
Isaac Paredes, SS: 1-2 (F-8, 1B)
Rafael Mejia, 3B: 0-2 (5-3, K) 
Adonis Paula, 3B-1B: 0-2 (K, K)
Luis Ayala, LF-CF: 0-2 (5-3, 3-1)
Yohan Matos, LF: 1-2 (F-9, 1B)
Jose Gonzalez, CF-RF: 1-2 (K, 1B, CS)
Ruben Reyes, RF: 1-2 (1B+E7, 4-3, R) 
Kevin Zamudio, C: NO AB 
NOTE: OF Kwang-Min Kwon was not on the field today. 
 
SQUAD "A" PITCHERS: 
Erling Moreno: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 5/1 GO/AO, 47 pitches (30 strikes) 

SQUAD "B" PITCHERS: 
1. Jack Leathersich: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1/1 GO/FO, 32 pitches (19 strikes) 
2. Tanner Griggs: 1.0 IP, 3 H 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 3/0 GO/AO, 21 pitches (10 strikes) 

SQUAD "A" CATCHERS: 
Jhonny Pereda: 1-1 CS 

SQUAD "B" CATCHERS:
1. Eric Gonzalez (Leathersich) 
2. Keven Zamudio (Griggs) 

ERRORS: 1
LF Yohan Matos: E-7 (fielding error on line-drive single to left allowed batter to take 2nd base)

ATTENDANCE: 1 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's 

HAGSAG:: Jack Leathersich's first outing at EXST (5/27) was not good, as he struggled to throw strikes and was unable to complete his assigned inning  

However, since then he has thrown the ball very well, and he racked up strikeouts in yesterday's intrasquad "sim" game, throwing both his fastball and curve for strikes.  

I expect he will probably go on a rehab assignment with the AZL Cubs starting Monday (AZL Opening Day) and then hopefully get reinstated from the DL and be assigned to AA or AAA within a couple of weeks. 

RHRP Joe Nathan has thrown well in two bullpen side sessions and one "live" BP over the last week at EXST and will probably begin an Article XIX-C minor league rehab assignment very soon. Because he is on the Cubs MLB 60-day DL, Nathan can do his rehab at any level in the system (players signed to minor league contracts can only rehab at EXST and then either with the AZL Cubs or Eugene), so he could conceivably be at AAA by next week, although he is not eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day DL until 7/16.  

Also, recently-signed LHRP Brian Matusz threw a 25-pitch bullpen side-session yesterday before the "sim" game at Riverview Park and both he and Mesa Rehab Pitching Coach Ron Villone seemed pleased with the result, and so he will probably move-up to AAA shortly. I suspect he probably has a 7/1 or 7/15 opt-out clause in his contract, though, so that he can walk away if he is not added to the Cubs MLB 25-man roster by the opt-out date (whatever that may be).  

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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...