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 @ Giants: Lackey vs Moore (Game 166; NLDS Game 4)

Cubs 6, Giants 5
W: Rondon (1-0); L: Smith (0-1); S: Chapman (3)
Cubs def. Giants 3-1; advance to NLCSPREVIEW
CHC (2-1): RHP John Lackey (0-0, —-)
SF (1-2): LHP Matt Moore (0-0, —-)
First pitch: 7:30pmCST

Lackey (11-8, 3.35 for the season) won his last game in Pittsburgh, giving up 1 ER in 5 innings. He had a no-decision against the Giants early in September, doing the same thing. He went 4-4 with a 4.37 on the road this season. Overall, the Giants are 8-40 (.333) against him. Nunez is 5-15.

Moore (13-12, 4.08) won his last game against the Dodgers, going 8 innings and giving up 1 ER. He didn’t pitch against the Cubs this season. Only Fowler (1-1) has faced him.

In his 23 postseason appearances, Lackey is 8-5 with a 3.11 ERA and two championship rings (LAA in 2002 and BOS in 2013). In four postseason games with the Rays, Moore went 1-1 with a 4.41 ERA and no rings.

It’d be Lester versus Cueto on Thursday at Wrigley, if we have to. Let’s not.

Go Cubs!

Comments

It looked like Jason Hammel, Rob Zastryzny, and one other guy I couldn't identify arrived via cab at the Cubs UAPC at Riverview Park about 20 minutes ago. They were carrying luggage and their Cubs gear bags.

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

To get it off my mind, I'm going to attempt to give my opinion on how the NLCS matchup will turn out. Feel free to give your opinion. In a Dodgers vs. Cubs series, Dodgers rotation will probably be as follows: Game 1 (Saturday): Maeda Game 2 (Sunday): Urias if Dodgers win Game 1, Kershaw if Cubs win Game 1 Game 3 (Tuesday): Kershaw if Urias starts Game 2, Hill if Kershaw starts Game 2 (4 days rest assuming Hill starts NLDS Game 5) Game 4 (Wednesday): Urias (would be 3 days rest for Maeda, maybe he's an option if Dodgers down 2-1 in the series), obviously Hill starts this game if he hasn't started yet in the series Game 5 (Thursday): Maeda / Possibly Kershaw if he starts Game 2 (would be 4 days rest) Game 6: (Saturday): Kershaw (3 days rest) / Maeda if Kershaw started Game 5 / Hill (unlikely with Kershaw / Maeda likely available) Game 7: (Sunday): Hill / Maeda (if he didn't pitch in Game 5 or 6) / Kershaw (obvious choice if available) Nationals: Game 1 (Saturday): Roark Game 2 (Sunday): Gonzalez Game 3 (Tuesday): Scherzer Game 4 (Wednesday): Ross / Roark a possibility on 3 days rest if the Cubs lead the series 2-1 Game 5 (Thursday): Roark if he didn't start Game 4, otherwise Ross likely starts this game / Gonzalez on 3 days rest is also a possibility Game 6 (Saturday): Gonzalez / Scherzer on 3 days rest if Nats are facing elimination / Ross (far less likely than the first 2) Game 7 (Sunday): Gonzalez / Scherzer - Whichever doesn't start Game 6 My ideas for Cubs roster: A. Same roster as used for the NLDS B. Replace Almora with Szczur because Dodger Stadium and Nationals Park outfields are less spacious than AT&T Park and Szczur has a better BA as a PH than Almora in the regular season (although Almora only had 10 PH ABs (1/10) compared to 45 for Szczur (12/45). C. Replace Almora's spot or Miggy's spot with Rob Z. Adding another LHP to the roster could be beneficial against the Dodgers who have a lot of lefties in their lineup and struggle against left handed pitching. Also, the Nats have 2 tough left handed hitters (Harper and Murphy). I thought I read on some article that Jake had a better ERA with Ross catching than with Miggy catching, although Jake has had a lot more starts with Miggy than Ross. Cubs probably keep 3 catchers because they ocassionally get pinch hit for or replaced with one that is better defensively. I probably wouldn't do Option C if we're facing the Nats, but I think they should strongly consider it (with removing Almora) if we're facing the Dodgers. Series Prediction: Cubs in 6 over either the Dodgers or Nationals. Both potential opponents are vulnerable in the rotation outside of their aces (heck neither Scherzer or Kershaw has been 100% sharp either).

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

Kershaw will pitch Game 2 regardless, it's 4 days rest for him by that point. An extra lefty in the pen would be wise though, Dodgers really struggled against them all year. I would be surprised if it's at the expense of Montero though although with the Dodgers possibly throwing 3 lefties and how well Ross has hit him, they really don't need the 3 catchers, but I just don't see them doing that to Montero as well as enjoying the flexibility of being able to pinch-hit for the catcher late in a game if you do carry 3 catchers.

Maybe instead of Grimm or Edwards Jr. or even Coghlan or LaStella.

I have tickets for Thursday (as may a couple of you do) and would be thrilled not to use them.

A client of mine is a former baseball player (college or maybe minor leagues) and a huge Cubs fan. However, when I started talking about the series, he shut me off. Says he is so superstitious that he doesn't watch games, doesn't want to talk about them, doesn't even want to go to a game. Ultimately said the pain of them falling short again is too much to take. After watching last night's game, and feeling a sense of impending doom from the 4th inning on for the next 4 hours...I now can relate to his POV more. I just didn't find it fun to watch and felt physically ill for most of it. The game just didn't feel like it was in the Cubs control after they failed to build on the 3-0 lead when they had the chance. End this series tonight, please.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I confess to that nervousness syndrome. Cub fans are not battle-hardened like fans of many other teams. We've rarely been in pressure situations and go a little weak-kneed. Old as I am, the Cubs were never competitive in my youth. Contrary to myth, the Cubs were not in a tight pennant race with the Mets in '69. We bowed out it in early September. Get us to the WS, and I promise never again to go for a walk around the block when Chapman comes in to protect a one-run lead in a series-clinching game.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

I assume it changes when you have sustained success -- MJ's Bulls, or the current Blackhawk run. You think you will win the next game or, if no, you can win next year. Dunno -- maybe baseball is different. And, for me, there is a much different level of passion for the Cubs than the other 2 teams -- nice if they win, but I sleep OK if they don't.

#Cubs lineup: Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Riz 1B, Zobrist LF, Russell SS, Heyward RF, Baez 2B, Ross C, Lackey P Vs. Span CF Belt 1B Posey C Pence RF Crawford SS Gillaspie 3B Panik 2B Blanco LF Moore LHP

My predictions: #1: If Rizzo gets an RBI, Cubs win. If he doesn't, they lose. #2: Lackey gives up 3 runs or less in 6IP, Cubs win. He goes less than 6 or gives up 4+, Cubs lose. #3: If Cubs score more runs than the Giants, the Cubs will win. If they score less, Giants will win. True Nostradamus

Cubs manager Joe Maddon, "Even when a decision doesn't work out it doesn't mean it was wrong. It means the other team has professional baseball players, too."

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Amazing, incredible, historic on many different levels. Calling this a huge win is an understatement. We may need new words to describe this game. Our current lexicon is failing me. You can't win the NLCS (and get to the world series for the first time in 71 years) without first getting there. That said, the other game played tonight may have impacted the Cubs chances of getting to the world series almost as much as this one did. Because the Dodgers won tonight, they forced Max Scherzer to pitch in game 5. That means, if the Nats advance, he won't be available until game 3 of the NLCS unless Dusty has him go on 2 days rest (not likely). Kershaw pitched tonight extending the storyline of his struggles in the post-season giving up 5 earned runs in in 6.2 innings. He would be ready for game 2 if the Dodgers win tomorrow night. It would be his 3rd start of the playoffs. He's given up 15 hits and 8 ER in 11.2 IP thus far. I subscribe to Joe Maddon's view of "be careful what you wish for", so I'm not hoping for any one team over another. But the Cubs victory tonight allows them to set their rotation exactly the way they want to and the forcing of a game 5 by the Dodgers tonight puts either team at the mercy of the games that came before.

Dear Cubs Pitchers: Please stop pitching Denard Span low and inside. It makes my stomach hurt. Your bestest buddy, Eric S

I guess Lackey doesn't like throwing to Contreras. But, with Lackey pitching, the Cubs need his bat in the lineup. EDIT: Get me rewrite!

Cubs down 5-2 to a lefty (which they crushed all year) and no home runs allowed after spending all season turning batted balls in play into outs at a historic rate.

and Fowler makes a baseunning mistake after being the best baserunning team

fuck baseball

It would really suck if this wonderful, joyful team were to get lumped in with '84 and '03 as teams who were up 2 games but couldn't close the deal. The Giants look like they are playing with house money, the Cubs look pretty tight.

OMFG HOLY SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.......

!@#@!!@i$jr#@qiwafhelfij#@uqr(u#!@q$(u#$(!@u$(@#rqfoq#wfuwa(tf #r%u(@#qu%q@(rjfc(qjf(#qtjg#@qaw(jtagfajgjt@#( @(#%u#qhr(qahf(esagfe(gh(a$w$thq#$th$qwat(wg($wht#@(wth

[ ]

In reply to by CubbyBlue

This is a really good question. Gotta wonder if his elbow was still bothering him from getting nailed by Willson's pickoff throw from the night before ... with two throwing errors the next day. I haven't seen any reports one way or the other. However I think his left non-throwing arm was hit by Willson's throw.

"Hey, Derek Law" SUUUUUCK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ ]

In reply to by jacos

As much as ecstatic/histrionic Derek Law got on my nerves, I refuse to publicly rejoice in sad Derek Law. I would be (briefly) crushed if the Cubs had been eliminated from this series, and I'm just a fan.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

Strop has put on some pretty big displays over the years that I would have hated if he were't a Cub. I gained tremendous respect for Brandon Phillips when he smiled and nodded to Strop after Pedro K'd him in a big spot and went nuts.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Different strokes (or Strops), I guess. I have zero problem with guys showing emotion. I just hate the stupid shit like when Oswalt deliberately hit Barrett in the back after a homer to the previous batter, or guys staring down the pitcher when a ball misses hitting them by two feet. Showing genuine emotion during a game is fine with me. As noted earlier, I don't like the pimping of homers, but I guess I've just become somewhat immune to it because it's so common. Law cheering on this team? Also perfectly fine.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Strangely, I had absolutely zero issues with what Law did during the series. I kind of admired his enthusiasm, and I don't think he showed the Cubs up as it seemed clear he was trying to pump himself and his team up.

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

I was a bit irked watching him Monday night and parts of last night's game, but he was really just rooting for his team. Bottom line for me, this SF club is great. No excuses after a game and they always said how good the Cubs were. I never felt as thought it was said just because most believe it's required. Class organization with guys who love to play baseball and who acknowledge great plays, even when they are robbed it. I've seen more than one tip of the hat from one of their players to a defender. Sans their closer, I wouldn't mind seeing any of their players in a Cubs uniform.

Congrats to the NLDS CHAMPION CUBS! Thank God we dont have to hear about how many straight elimination games the Giants keep winning.

Theo in post-game interview with Ken Rosenthal gets asked whether he feels like a proud father about Javy Baez and Willson Contreras. Promptly, he gives kudos to Jim Hendry, credit for bringing both of them into the Cub organization. "He and his guys did a great job." Nice touch.

Fox in post-game graphics... Pitches/Hits/Runs (9th inning) Derek Law 4/1/1 Javier Lopez 6/0/1 Sergio Romo 5/1/1 Will Smith 4/1/1 Hunter Strickland 5/1/0

Game 1 on Saturday likely against Kershaw again on 3 days rest, maybe Rich Hill, I guess maybe Maeda...no idea who is pitching Game 5 for them yet. Might be Urias or Hill on 3 days rest.

 or Tanner Roark if Nats win it. Strasburg cut his last bullpen session short so good news on that front. Scherzer wouldn't go until Game 3.

Kardiac Kubs (feel free to use that)

I have explained this before to those not "Cubbified", but having experienced gut-wrenching disappointments since 1968, I feel like an abused spouse. Therefore, I have previously waited for the worst to always happen - like Charlie Brown. This is not those teams...

I've had two dicussions with Giants fans who REALLY have a problem with Javy. "He acts like a nine-year-old." "He's a punk." Give me a break, please. Sour grapes much?

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

I don't like it from anyone, but it doesn't bother me THAT much. He's not the only player to pimp homers. One fan was mad that he swore at Romo in Spanish after Romo said something to him after striking him out. Really? Are we offended at players using the F word, and Javy is ground zero for it?

I turned off the game after 6 since the game was so ugly. Not just the score, but the way the Cubs were playing. I followed by glancing at my phone through two outs in the bottom of the 9th. Maybe I should do that more often. Better for my health. Pretty epic win.

I was impressed with John Smoltz color commentary during the series - I think he enjoys his job and does it well.

Did anyone catch the comment by Smoltz in the top of the 9th about the "Cubs young hitters temporarily taking the lead" after they scored the go ahead run? I backed up the DVR to check, it was there. Seemed like a bit of a ???. Matt was obviously in love with the Giants with all of the "10 times facing elimination" stuff, of course he is from Oakland. And his time calling Brewer games probably didn't help.

The video of Javy juggling his gum, catching it, then looking for the camera, pointing and smiling shows a young man who is clearly enjoying the moment.

If it's the Dodgers, I wonder how much Heyward will play -- lots of lefties in their rotation.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

not the easiest RF in Dodger Stadium either though

0/4 with 4 K's vs. Kershaw, 2/3 off Urias, 3/9 off Jansen

Never faced Hill or Maeda.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/batvspitch/_/id/29551/teamId/19

with it looking less likely now that Strasburg will be back, I'm fine playing the Nats now. Roark I think is hittable and Gonzalez should be as well. They don't seem to have a 4th starter, Joe Ross didn't look right at all in that game. Offense is a bit scary though (Turner, Harper, Murphy, Werth, Rendon) all doing pretty well right now. Eh, whatever at this point...they're gonna have to beat 2 more good teams.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I would like to see Soler get a chance against Hill and Kershaw, but I'm not sure that I want to see either Bryant or Zobrist starting in RF in a playoff game. And Almora starting vs. anyone is less than exciting. On the other hand, if it's the Nats, do you bother carrying Soler just to face Gio Gonzalez and maybe get a pinch hit AB or two? He's a top nominee to DH if the team advances, so maybe they want to get him ABs should things take a turn for the better.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

they have a few lefties in the pen, I'd certainly carry Soler vs. the Nats.

if it's the Dodgers and their lefty heavy lineup, I'm guessing we're mostly see Heyward out there, but I don't necessarily think Bryant or Zobrist are all that bad out there either. Maddon will get his chance to flop people around quite a bit I'm guessing.

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    LHP Blake Weiman appears to have been the last cut from the AAA Iowa roster. He is with the Tennessee group at Minor League Camp.

     

  • crunch (view)

    bruce bochy is hobbling rather badly for a guy who's had 2 hip replacements.  his gait is extremely wonky taking the lineup card to the ump.

  • crunch (view)

    yeah, for me this isn't about who's better at 3rd.  it's madrigal, period.  for me it's about who's not hitting in the lineup because madrigal is in the lineup.

    occasional play at 3rd for madrigal, okay.  going with the steele/ground-ball matchup...meh, but okay, whatever.

    seeing madrigal get significant starting time...no thanks.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Yeah I am very disappointed Madrigal is starting. He has no business as a starter. He is AAA insurance, a back up at best. Sure his defense looks fine because he plays far enough in that his noodle arm isn’t totally exposed. It comes at the cost of 3B range.

    He’s garbage, and a team serious about winning would NOT have him starting opening day.

  • crunch (view)

    in other news, it took 3 PA before a.rizzo got his 1st HBP of the season.

  • Eric S (view)

    With two home runs (so far) and 5 rbi today … clearly Nick Martini is the straw that stirs the Reds drink 😳

  • crunch (view)

    madrigal at 3rd...morel at DH.

    making room for madrigal or/and masterboney to get a significant amount of ABs is a misuse of the roster.  if it needed to get taken care of this offseason, they had tons of time to figure that out.

    morel played almost exclusively at 3rd in winter ball and they had him almost exclusively there all spring when he wasn't DH'ing.

    madrigal doing a good job with the glove for a bit over 2 chances per game...is that worth more than what he brings with the bat 4-5 PA a game?  it's 2024 and we got glenn beckert 2.0 manning 3rd base.

    this is a tauchman or cooper DH situation based on bat, alone.  cooper is 3/7 with a double off eovaldi if you want to play the most successful matchup.

    anyway, i hope this is a temporary thing, not business as usual for the rest of the season.  it will be telling if morel is not used at 3rd when an extreme fly ball pitcher like imanaga is on the mound.

  • 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.