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, 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 4-18-2024
 
* 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
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Pirates @ Cubs: Nova vs Quintana (Game 132)

Submitted by CTSteve on

PIT (63-70): RHP Ivan Nova (11-11, 3.97) 
CHC (71-60): LHP José Quintana (8-11, 4.49) 
First pitch: 7:05pmCST

Q gave up 6 ER in 5 innings in Philly on Friday for the loss. He’s sporting an even 6.00 ERA for the month. The Pirates are 12-29 (.414) against him. Rodriguez is 2-4 with a HR.

Nova lost in Cincinnati his last time out (5 IP, 5 ER, 6 K, 3 BB). He’s 2-0 with a 3.29 in two starts against the Cubs this year. Overall, they are 19-97 (.196) against him. Schwarber is 2-4 with a HR.

Tomorrow, it’s Newcomb (2-7) and the Atlantas in town for a four-game series to face Hendricks (5-4) at the same time.

Go Cubs!
 

Tags
2017 Season Game Thread

Comments

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:38 am

AZ Phil, Any thoughts on who made the AZ Fall League rosters? Or, who didn't make it? De La Cruz A. Mills Araujo Stinnett Bote Burks Vosler Rice

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:34 am

CHILDERSb3: The Cubs who were assigned to the AFL were among the ones I would have expected to be assigned. 

Alec Mills needs innings as a starter, and pitching in the AFL will allow that. Same goes for Oscar de ;a Cruz, althugh usually clubs assign only one SP to their AFL affiliate because AFL teams only need five SP (typically one SP from each MLB club affiliated with that AFL team).

Jake Stinnett has been lights-out in the AA Tennessee bullpen since returning from the DL and he could possibly pitch himself onto the Cubs MLB 40-man roster with a strong showing in the AFL, especially if the Cubs decide to non-tender Justin Grimm and/or Hector Rondon  And if he isn't added to the 40 on 11/20, he could become a hot commodity in the Rule 5 Draft - IF - he pitches well in the AFL.  

The only minor surprise (for me) is that OF Charcer Burks was not assigned, but that could be because the Cubs had to provide a catcher and they wanted Vosler and Bote on the roster more than they wanted Burks there. It's possible the Cubs have already decided to roster or not roster Burks, but it also could be because all of the MSS outfield slots were full. The Cubs still could assign Burks to the AFL as a "Taxi Squad" player (players on an AFL team's taxi squad can play only two games a week), and it would not surpise me if that happens. 

I was also a bit surprised about Pedro Araujo (who is eligible to be a minor league 6YFA post-2017) being included on the MSS provisional roster instead of Dakota Mekkes, but it could be Araujo has already verbally agreed to sign a 2018 minor league successor contract (a player cannot officially sign a successor contract until after the conclusion of the minor league season) and perhaps the Cubs wanted to reward him for that. Clubs do like to show loyalty to a minor league FA who re-ups, either with an NRI to Spring Training or a chance to pitch in the AFL. And from Araujo's POV, he could pitch himself into Rule 5 Draft consideration with a strong showing in the AFL, so it could work out very well for him to decline free-agency and take a slot in the AFL instead.

I think It's interesting that Araujo got the AFL slot instead of James Pugliese, Daury Torrez, or Justin Hancock (all three of whom are eligible to be minor league 6YFA post-2017), but that could be because the trio has already indicated to the Cubs that they are not interested in signing a minor league successor contract, or at least that they haven't yet decided one way or the other.

[ ]

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 08/31/2017 - 08:49 pm

By the numbers, Phil--I'm referring to innings, hits, walks, strikeouts--Araujo is a much better prospect than the others you mention (Pugliese, Torrez, Hancock). Araujo has a low BB9 this year (2.4) and an SO9 of 11.6. Those numbers are not far off his 7-season totals. Araujo's SO9 is exactly twice that of Pugliese. Pugliese will likely never pitch in the majors, because if he did, all that contact he gives up now will be much harder. Hancock has a high SO9. That's a recent development, I guess because his fastball has speeded up; but his BB9 of 4.4 is a red flag. If you're saying that Araujo will need to be added to the 40-man to evade the Rule 5 draft, then I hope he is added, and I would expect him to be. I saw Araujo earn a 2-inning save for Myrtle Beach against the Potomac Nationals last month. He's a beast. He's also a bit of a character. He seems to enjoy what he's doing. Before his first pitch, he walked back behind the mound and stopped and stared out at something beyond the centerfield wall. Was he praying? Meditating? I thought he was announcing to onlookers, I'm here now. I've got this. He's a cool one.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 08/31/2017 - 08:37 pm

VA PHIL: I know Pedro Araujo pretty well from his days at Extended Spring Training. He is indeed a really good guy. Very funny. He's popular with the younger Latin players, almost like a Crash Davis type. 

It's not all about stats. Araujo is in his seventh season in the Cubs organization and he is still at Myrtle Beach. That doesn't mean he is a non-prospect, but he does need to prove himself at a higher level before he will be taken seriously as a prospect.

Getting a chance to pitch in the AFL is a big opportunity for Araujo to show what he can do against better competition. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:01 pm

The Cubs made a change after the original AFL rosters were announced yesterday: OF Charcer Burks has been added to the Mesa Solar Sox active roster, and C Ian Rice has been transferred to the MSS "Taxi Squad" (meaning he can play in no more than two AFL games per week, used to be Wednesday and Saturday only, now it's just any two days). 

AFL rosters remain provisional and are still subject to change. 

Submitted by Childersb3 on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:43 am

And, how's Velazquez's plate discipline?

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:47 am

CHILDERSb3: Nelson Velazquez is a bit of a free-swinger right now, but he has plus HR power that actually plays in games. There are a lot of hitters who have HR power in BP, but they can't do it in a game. 

Velazquez is a raw kid, but  I can see why he was taken in the 5th round. It will be interesting to watch him develop over the next couple of years. 

As things stand right now, I would say the Cubs have about five legit "next generation" position-player prospects who could become part of the Cubs MLB core by 2022 or 2023: SS Aramis Ademan, C Miguel Amaya, CF D. J. Wilson, 3B Wladimir Galindo, and OF Nelson Velazquez. 

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:39 am

i.nova has fallen off a cliff in the 2nd half...extremely hittable, lots of homers... this should be fun

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:33 am

Wha?? Cardinals trade Leake to the Mariners for a minor league SS who is hitting .217?

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:12 pm

Brewers and Cards split. OK by me. Brewers host Nats for 4 (facing Gio, Scherzer and the revitalized EJax) while STL goes to SF to face MadBum and Shark, among others.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:30 pm

jack flaherty seems to be the one taking leake's place in STL. weaver + flaherty...john gant lingering on the outside...alex reyes is still a stud, even if his elbow is getting over TJ surgery...

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:40 pm

"Addison Russell (foot) felt renewed soreness prior to his minor league rehab game on Wednesday and is returning to Chicago for a medical recheck." boo.

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:43 pm

Javy Baez has played shortstop every game since Addison Russell went on the DL on 8/3, and while Kris Bryant, Ben Zobrist, and/or Ian Happ could play SS in a pinch. I would think the Cubs will add a more-legit SS (even if it's somebody who is more of a utility player than an every day SS) to the MLB 40-man roster in September.  

My best guess is Mike Freeman, who was signed to a minor league contract by the Cubs after he elected free-agency after being outrighted to the minors by the Dodgers on 8/5. Freeman can play anywhere in the infield and outfield and is a high-percentage base-stealer, and while he probably wouldn't be needed on the 25-man roster in the post-season (unless Baez gets hurt), Freeman would fill a need in September for a player who can fill-in for Baez occasionally.  

All players on an MLB club's MLB 40-man roster as of midnight 8/31 are eligible to be on the club's Post-Season Eligibility List (from which the 25-man active lists are chosen prior to each post-season series), but a player on the MLB 60-day DL is not eligible to be on the club's Post-Season Eligibility list or be replaced on the club's Post-Season Eligibility List (and thus on a post-season active list) by a player who is not on the club's MLB 40-man roster (but who is on a Cubs minor league affiliate's reserve list) as of midnight 8/31 until the injured player has spent at least 60 days on the DL . 

If it turns out Addison Russell cannot play anymore this season and is transfered to the Cubs MLB 60-day DL to open up a slot on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster for another player, he would be spending his 60th day on the DL on the last day of the MLB regular season (Sunday 10/1), and thus the Cubs could transfer him to the 60-day DL anytime prior to last day of the MLB regular season and he would be eligible to be replaced on the Post-Season Eligibility List (and thus on a post-season active list) by a player who is not on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster (but who is on a Cubs minor league affiliate's reserve list) as of midnight 8/31. So Mike Freeman does not have to be called up prior to midnight 8/31 to be eligible to play in the post-season (if necessary). 

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:20 pm

wtf Q? ...again. *checks eloy jimenez's AA stats* DAMMIT.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:26 pm

31 pitches, 8 batters faced, 2 runs... that's a vintage 2017 cubs 1st inning. it's like Q was here all season.

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:26 pm

Back-to-back HBP on 0-2 to force a run. Unbelievable. Methinks we may have gotten ourselves a mentally fragile pitcher. He's never pitched important, late-season games, and he doesn't seem to have the mental toughness to do so. What the hell.

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Submitted by JoePepitone on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:23 pm

The catcher, Stewart, is no rookie, either. Baez ran down the line on the bunt "attempt", got the catcher to throw to third and then dashed home with the 3rd baseman not even bothering to throw it home. Sometimes he just makes the other team look silly...

Submitted by blockhead25 on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:27 pm

Wow...great over wall catch saved win for Brewers. Inch from Cardinals taking the lead. 4.5 game lead sounds much nicer than 3.5 game lead.

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Submitted by Eric S on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:07 pm

That had to be his best outing as a Cub: 3 outs (including 2 Ks) on just 12 pitches (only 2 balls!!!) Just gotta give him a 10+ run lead and he's filthy ... He is starting to add up some scoreless appearances which is encouraging, but not quite ready to take the training wheels off just yet.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 08/31/2017 - 08:25 pm

I haven't seen anyone hit his 97 mph fastball. I referred earlier to the at-bat where Votto fouled of about six of those. There must be something deceptive about his hard stuff. He also has a cutter (?) that is a couple mph slower, that they also don't hit. They do connect with his dinky 85-mph curve(/slider?).

Submitted by billybucks on Wed, 08/30/2017 - 08:40 pm

Cubs now the first team in history with 5 players aged 25 or younger to hit 20 HR, including their first round picks from 2011 (Baez), 2013 (Bryant), 2014 (Schwarber) and 2015 (Happ). That is how you build "sustained excellence". They are now 29-15 since the break, despite injuries to Contreras, Lester and Russell Maybe Theo and Jed do know what they're doing (I realize Baez was a Hendry pick). But, I will continue to dispense advice freely! Of all the unexpected surprises (redundant, I know) in 2017, having Avila and Rivera as their catching tandem heading into September may be the biggest.

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Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Thu, 08/31/2017 - 08:51 pm

They don't get credit for Contreras, either. This might be a good time to give Tim Wilken three cheers for seeing something in Javy that others missed. He drafted Javy ahead of Lindor, for example. McLeod, who took Cory Spangenberg for San Diego with the pick following Wilken's, has said on several occasions that he wasn't high on Baez. (Not sure why, working for the Cubs, he would say that even if it was true.) Is it just me, or has Baez changed as a hitter just in the last week or two? Changed = gotten better.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    i'd just like to take a moment to express to the world i'm still pissed willson contreras is not a cub when the pricetag was 5/87m (17.5m/yr).

    it would be nice to have a legacy-type player to stick around, especially one with his leadership and the respect he gets from his peers.  cubs fans deserved more than 1 season of contreras + morel...that was gold.

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.

    The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.

    I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical). 

     

    And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day. 

     

    That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled). 

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