Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus one player is 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 3-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
* 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: 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 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 1 
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 1 
Caleb Kilian, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs @ Giants: Hendricks vs Bumgarner (Game 113)

CHC (59-53): RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-4, 3.81)
SF (45-70): LHP Madison Bumgarner (1-5, 2.88)
First pitch: 2:45pmCST

Hendricks gave up 3 ER in 7 innings and lost to the Nationals on Friday. He beat the Giants at Wrigley in May (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 0 BB). Overall, the Giants are 12-48 (.250) against him. Pence is 2-2.Bumgarner lost to the D’backs his last time out (7 IP, 2 ER, 7 K, 2 BB). The Cubs are 22-95 (.232) against him. Jay is 6-20.

Tomorrow we rest, then it’s Lackey (9-9) and Corbin (8-11) in Arizona at 8:40pmCST.

Go Cubs!

Comments

RHRP Koji Uehara to the 10-day DL with neck stiffness, and Cubs recall RHRP Justin Grimm 

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

they've been stretching out pena in AAA. they were doing it with rosscup before they gave up and traded him. he's gone 2-3ip his last 3 appearances and has been pitching more than 1ip per appearance since mid-july. looks like he's being groomed to either take over for montgomery's role next year or compliment montgomery in the pen next year (and sept+ this year).

So facing Bumgarner and Bartolo starting for the Twins against the Brewers. Not good. Hopefully Cahill can do the Cubs a solid against the Cards.

"kyle doesn't hit well with 2 strikes. maybe he won't get to 2 strikes." - len ...schwarber proceeds to go 0-2 K's on a 2-2 count. neat.

Phil, any word on the draft picks who haven't made an appearance yet? I believe all that are left are Estrada, Brady Miller and Braxton Light.

[ ]

In reply to by Dolorous Jon Lester

DJL: Braxton Light is at AZL Cubs but he hasn't pitched in a game yet, and Brady Miller and Jeremiah Estrada were here when they signed but I don't know their current whereabouts. Miller is from Oregon so he may be at Eugene, although he hasn't pitched in a game yet.  

Estrada signed after July 1st so he could have been "Signed for Future Service" (signed a 2018 contract), which would mean he could not make his pro debut until post-season Instructs (as happened with Thomas Hatch last year).

The Cubs usually take a conservative approach with pitchers signed after being selected in the June Draft, so inactivity isn't particularly alarming. 

"Span singles on a pop up to second baseman Ian Happ" That sums up this recent skid. (Yes, I know the play in actuality wasn't close to what it was written as)

RIP contreras's right hamstring. awesome. this game is a big bag of mashed up assholes.

On the upside, Cubs still have gained 6 games on Mil, 2 on STL, and 2 on Pit since the All-Star break.

Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat Reports from San Fran say #Cubs Contreras will have MRI on Thu on right leg. Had to be helped off the field. Expected to go on DL

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

If it turns out Contreras will miss an extended period of time, the Cubs may look to acquire still another veteran back-up catcher, but this time one with a plus-arm (Avila has just an average arm) who can control baserunners when Jon Lester starts. Possible candidates would be Rene Rivera (NYM) or A. J. Ellis (MIA). Both would be short-term rentals (both are free-agents after the season) and probably wouldn't cost much. 

Of course there is no way to make up for what Contreras contributed to the offense from the catcher position. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

Something else to keep in mind about hamstring injuries is that even after the player returns to action, the player will sometimes aggravate the injury (as happened with Starlin Castro this year), even after the player thinks he's 100%.  

A hamstring strain can be the gift that keeps giving. 

Wow this day is depressing. Giants get the winning run with some good luck (soft contact going for hits) and Contreras likely going to miss time. Very unfortunate to land on the DL when respecting 90. Luckily they traded for Avila. I know that some people will panic over losing 2/3 to a bad team like the Giants, but Blach has pitched well and it doesn't matter if you face a pitcher like Bumgarner if it's the Dodgers or the Phillies. When facing an elite pitcher, throw the team record out the window.

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

I'm not worried about losing 2/3 to a bad team. That will hapen to anyone (except the Dodgers). I'm worried about losing 6 of 8 and in really ugly fashion in line with the first half of the year. Errors, poor situational hitting, giving up early runs, bullpen explosions, etc.

He probably beats it out if he doesn't get hurt. The play was very close for a player who got hurt when running down the line.

Looking at the ESPN schedule for the Cubs, Lackey vs Bailey next week. Inb4 the final score is Cubs 12, Reds 10.

Well, what did we all really expect? 2015 was a fun and unexpected gift. 2016 was a once-in-a-liftime joy ride. It's 2017. There is an understandable letdown. Everybody -- fans, players, management -- seems a little testy and on edge, like the party has gone on too long and has gotten a little stale. Losing Fowler, Ross and Travis Wood ripped a lot of the leadership and fun out of this team. Even Maddon has noted that this team doesn't seem to be having much fun (winning obviously impacts that). I like Happ's game, but the guy has all the emotion and personality of a fire hydrant. Wrigley is also becoming a less fun, more corporate place. Luxury clubs are being built underground; glassed-in club seats are going to be put in the upper deck behind home plate. The Wrigley feel really took hit when they moved the bullpens to an undisclosed location. It was never going to be the same after last year, but the changes to the ballpark and the personnel have made it a stark, raw change.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I still feel Wrigley will always be wrigley as long as the location stays the same, the walls have Ivy and the centerfield scoreboard remains. Everything else I am willing to give up as long as those dollars are put back into the quality of product. I fully believe those video screens, the hotel, the remodel, are directly and substantially related to the Cubs winning the World Series. Not a coincidence. When the plans got approved, the Ricketts opened their wallets for on field talent. I also think added night games at Wrigley had a huge impact in improved quality.

As I mentioned a couple months ago, for a couple of the reasons you mentioned, plus the pitching at the time, I didn't think the team would make the Playoffs. Typically, a team needs one or two guys to have All Star years. Last year, they had 5-6, plus a battle for league MVP! This year? Well... The Nats and Dodgers are for real. I expect Dusty to lose again, and for the Cubs to be much better next year.

Everybody starts the playoffs 0-0. Cubs the only team with an NL championship (let alone a WS), so they'll be the experienced entry. Maybe they get hot. The downside of the way they've been playing is that they could be fifteen out, but instead they find themselves in first place. It's all (potentially) good.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Yep -- if they can get in, it is conceivable to believe that: 1. Lester, Jake and Q could provide some outstanding starts 2. Rondon, Monty, Strop, CJ (?), Wilson and Davis could throw some quality innings out of the 'pen 3. Bryant, Rizzo, Schwarber, Russell (?) & Baez bats could get hot Of course, none of these things (particularly the bats) have happened on a regular basis so far this year, but the potential is there.

no cubs game today...MIL + STL playing, though. noon EST...still waiting on that contreras MRI/news/etc

Victor Caratini is not in the Iowa Cubs lineup today (Thursday), meaning he was probably called up to the Cubs "Taxi Squad" pending a roster decision on Willson Contreras prior to tomorrow night's game at Arizona. 

A club can recall a player from a minor league Optional Assignment and place the player on its "Taxi Squad" for one day. If the player is not added to his club's MLB Active List by 3 PM (Eastern) the next day or at least three hours prior to the scheduled start of the next day's game (whichever is later), the player must be removed from the Taxi Squad and returned to his minor league assignment.

A player on the Taxi Squad does not count against his club's MLB active roster or the minor league club's active roster, and the player does not accrue MLB Service Time while on the Taxi Squad. The most common reasons to recall a player and place him on the Taxi Squad is when a club is considering whether to place a player on the Disabled List (or other MLB inactive list) but has not yet decided or if a trade is imminent but has not yet been consummated.

[ ]

In reply to by Cubster

CUBSTER: I could have picked-up Caratini at Sky Harbor this morning after I dropped my wife off at work (I was only a couple of miles from the airport), but the Cubs didn't ask. (They probably have seen me drive and they don't want to risk losing another catcher right now). 

With the Cubs in town to play the D'backs, I wonder if Addison Russell might take the opportunity to play a rehab game or two with the AZL Cubs before getting reinstated from the DL on Sunday.

The AZL Cubs play the AZL Diamondbacks at Whirlwind Field (D-1) at Salt River Fields tonight and then they play the AZL Diamondbacks at Sloan Park in Mesa tomorrow night, probably the most convenient minor league rehab assignment possible.

Thinking about Billy's Wrigley's comments, yes things have changed, the Ricketts have completely monitized the brand which they were entitled to after the big-ass risk they took dealing with asshole Zell. But would you rather have the "old" Wrigley and have Gary Bussy playing organ for 9 innings, and during rain delays for 2 hours? Give me a break. I don't know about the "stark, raw change". Change is inevitable. With success, its REALLY inevitable. I am for sure bummed about the bullpens. But, the energy and entertainment value has been increased exponentially in my opinion.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Well, I agree and disagree (obviously). At Fenway, they have so many banners and signs it looks like a NASCAR race, but they didn't change the ballpark itself. To me, the bullpens were part of what made Wrigley Wrigley. Now watching the relievers warm up looks like it's being beamed in from the space station. I doubt moving the bullpens was a huge financial boon for the Ricketts. I'm not against change per se -- I have no issue with the video boards or all the development around the ballpark. But, to me, the bullpens, ivy and old scoreboard were landmarks that made Wrigley a different place.

If Rizzo and Bryant and others step up and get hot, Contreras injury could be blessing in disguise. I think Addison Russell is key though, a lot of clutch hits in 2016 and was heating up prior to landing on the DL. Zobrist not underperforming would be great too.

[ ]

In reply to by chitownmvp01

hot or not, a leg injury to the catcher that makes lester a more complete pitcher isn't something that excites me. at least it's his hamstring rather than his knees. it seems hamstring re-injuries pop up a bit more, but contreras's comfort crouching and mobility out of the crouch is a hell of a compliment to his high velocity arm and busted up knees are huge culprit in harming that ability. hopefully he returns, gets through the rest of the year, and has a nice rest over the offseason. he's a young/healthy dude. i'm not that concerned long term.

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

Squatting position is not a hamstring stretch as the knee and hip are both flexed. A hamstring stretch is done with the knee in full extension and hip getting progressive flexion. More or less like touching your toes with knees straight. On the field before games you can see several players helping each other with hamstring stretches. Usually the player getting stretched is lying on his back and the other is gradually pushing the leg towards the head. Here is some eye candy video on how to stretch hamstrings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDwpEdxZ4H4

Reds had a 10-2 lead over the Brewers, but the Brewers scored 7 in the 6th to make it 10-9 after 6. Wow.

Recent comments

  • Charlie (view)

    I worry that Morel will lose starts at 3B as long as this roster lacks a compelling DH.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I think if you had ranked players by how much the team could ill afford to have them miss significant time, Steele would be right at the top of the list.

  • crunch (view)

    steele MRI on friday.  counsell expects an IL stint.

    no current plans for his rotation replacement.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    I would say also in the bright side column is Busch looked pretty good overall at the plate. Alzolay…man, that hurts but most of the time he’s not giving up a homer to that guy. To me the worst was almonte hanging that pitch to Garcia. He hung another one to the next hitter too and got away with it on an 0-1. 

  • crunch (view)

    amaya blocked like 6-8 of smyly's pitches in the dirt very cleanly...not even an exaggeration, smyly threw a ton of pitches bouncing in tonight.

    neris looking like his old self was a relief (no pun), too.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In looking for bright spots the defense was outstanding tonight. The “stars” are going to need to shine quite a bit brighter than they did tonight offensively though for this to be a successful season.

  • Eric S (view)

    Good baseball game. Hopefully Steele is pitching again in April (but I’m not counting on it). 

  • crunch (view)

    boo.

  • crunch (view)

    smyly to face the 2/3/4 hitters with a man on 2nd in extras.

    this doesn't seem like a 8 million dollar managerial decision.

  • crunch (view)

    i 100% agree with you, but i dunno how jed wants to run things.  the default is delay.  i would choose brown.

    like hellfrozeover says, could be smyly since he's technically fresh and stretched.

    anyway, on a pure talent basis....brown is the best option.