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

Cardinals @ Cubs: Martinez vs Lackey (Game 147)

STL (77-69): RHP Carlos Martinez (11-10, 3.33)
CHC (80-66): RHP John Lackey (11-11, 4.65)
First pitch: 1:20pmCST

Lackey gave up 2 ER in 7 innings and was tagged with the loss by the anemic Cubs offense against the Brewers on Friday. He’s 1-0 with a 3.46 in two starts against the Cardinals this season.

Overall, they are 25-108 (.231) against him. Fowler, who is day-to-day with a knee injury, is 4-13 with a HR.

Martinez had a no-decision against the Pirates his last time out (6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 2 BB). He’s 1-0 with a 2.25 in three starts against the Cubs in 2017. For their careers, the Cubs are 52-198 (.263) against him. Zobrist is 7-19, and Rizzo is 9-33 with 3 HR.

Wacha and Hendricks get the start tomorrow at 3:05pmCST.

Go Cubs!

Comments

While winning today would be great, not counting on it as Martinez owns the Cubs. Tomorrow's Wacha/Professor matchup is key given Cubs prior success against Wacha. Lose today, then tomorrow - hand me the Rolaids.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Strike 3 to Martinez, literally in the middle of the zone. Martinez starts to walk back to the dugout. Ump calls it a ball. Martinez singles on next pitch -- Lackey tossed and Contreras tossed. That is one big bad call.

Now bullpen will be completely burnt for the rest of the weekend.

the mask contreras threw bounced and hit the ump. hopefully the suspension won't be a long one.

Avila has had some huge hits as a Cub - really ignited this thing with his rbi single to start the scoring - and Javy making contact with the bases loaded!

Just to reprise, JIM HICKMAN'S BAT HATRED METER: Hatred Meter: 1. St. Louis 2. St. Louis 3. St. Louis 4. Mets 5. Padres 6. St. Louis

I don't condone violence, but I would've been 100% behind Lackey had he just punched that ump right in the face and gave him a nice bludgeoning! In fact, had he done that, the ump probably wouldn't have had time to eject Contreras from the game too. ROBO UMP 2018!!!!

Also a big game for KB - first extra base hit against Martinez with his then game tying homer -- very good time for his bat to get red hot.

One thing I will say about that pitch in the umps defense...Contreras did a horrid job of framing that pitch. But yes, that was a strike in any sense of the word.

Why is a pitcher with a 6.02 ERA, who is not a rookie, pitching in the Major Leagues in September in a playoff race?

Completely understand using Wade Davis for more than an inning in these critical games. However, a 4-2 game seems appropriate, not 8-2 (even with a few on)

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

Davis hadn't pitched since Sunday, so I think he was going to pitch in any case. 25 pitches isn't the end of the world. Also, not many options left in the 'pen for Joe -- Monty, Duensing and Pena pitched 2 innings yesterday, he had already used Wilson, CJ, Strop and Grimm, and Rondon is apparently hurt. Not the place to bring in Maples. By the way -- Wilson's K of Carpenter with 2 on after Lackey got tossed was huge. The game could have gotten out of hand there. Who knows -- maybe that's the outing that gets him back on track.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

It's still possible that the Cubs will acquire another bullpen arm prior to the 9/25 noon (Eastern) deadline for making waiver trades. (Beginning this year, trades are prohibited over the final seven days of the MLB regular season).

Obviously any pitcher acquired wouldn't be eligible to participate in the post-season, but he could at least help the Cubs get to the post-season. 

More clubs have (seemingly) fallen out of Wild Card contention over the past two or three days, and it's very possible that the Orioles, Rays, Royals, and/or Rangers will be more-willing to trade a bullpen arm now than they were a week ago. The Cubs might also now be at the point where they are willing to up the ante on an earlier "final offer" for a RP they targeted but gave up on acquiring in July or August.  

The Cubs might target a reliever who is under control beyond 2017, or even a RP who will be a FA post-2017. Anybody who could give the Cubs an edge in the late innings of a close game would be a plus, and the Cubs would probably be willing to over-pay to get one.  

It would have to be a RP who has already cleared Trade Waivers, because otherwise the Cardinals, Brewers, and/or Rockies would probably make a claim just to block the Cubs from winning the claim.

Because the MLB office does not release the names of players who have cleared Trade Waivers, I don't know who the Cubs might be able to acquire. But if they secured Trade Waivers on Pierce Johnson in August and are waiting out the DFA period before using him in a trade for an established MLB reliever, now is probably the time to pull the trigger.

I'm skeptical that the Cubs will be able to survive the next 16 days with the bullpen remaining as-is. They have to play 13 high-pressure games in a row without a day off starting on Tuesday, and that will put an even bigger strain on the bullpen. 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

If Russell isn't ready to go and Baez is truly hurt from today's game, the Cubs might look at Alcides Escobar from KC. He cleared waivers--because he's an awful hitter--but he's a competent glove SS and would inspire more confidence than Freeman for a stretch run. Royals are done so you figure they'd take a PTBNL, much less a Pierce Johnson.

[ ]

In reply to by Jim Hickmans Bat

JHB: Absolutely.

If the Royals are willing to move Escobar and the Cubs and Royals can agree on the return, there is no reason to wait any longer. 

This is not much different than the Cubs claiming Rene Rivera off waivers from the Mets in August to add depth at catcher after they'd already acquired Alex Avila on 7/31.

Easy as can be 8-2 win. Hardly worth talking about. Except that the Cubs dug in and overcame some adversity and won the biggest game of the year to this point. Worst missed strike call I've ever seen. Lackey had every right to be furious, hopefully if it ever happens again he'll head back out to the mound with a couple extra mph on his fastball. He was pitching a hell of a game to that point. Contreras didn't frame the pitch better since it was inconceivable that the pitch was anything other than a strike. Only one guy in any kind of uniform missed it. Hopefully MLB acts quickly, suspends Contreras for 3, Cubs appeal it to 2 and he misses the TB games. Great job of the offense grinding until Martinez got stressed, and then keeping the pressure on AB after AB in the 6th. Joe trying to get a low leverage inning out of Grimm. Got part of it. Wilson with a huge out. Cubs now playing downhill for the next two games. Only horrible outcome to the series was a Cards sweep, can't happen now. Hendricks and the lefties tomorrow, Davis for one if a save situation comes up.

Would have been amusing if this Brewers/Marlins series was played at a neutral ballpark. There would be 8 fans in the stand. Not very fair to the Cubs and Cards, but financially this was totally the right decision.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

Absolutely an advantage, but time and again money wins out over competitive equality. I think all 30 team owners know and appreciate it. I think I just remember how much it helped the Cubs when the games were moved out of Houston to Milwaukee in 2008, so I have trouble being bitter about this. Of course, if they sweep the Marlins, I'll be bitter.

[ ]

In reply to by blockhead25

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that there are 14 other ballparks not hosting games this weekend. Why couldn't they play at another ballpark like say the Rangers, Baltimore, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, or Commisky, or whatever the hell it's called these days. I get the Cubs totally having the advantage against Houston when they played at Wrigley north, but to play in their own ballpark, when they're supposed to be on the road... Very unfair to the Cubs, Cardinals, and Rockies, for that matter.

Recent comments

  • 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). 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Indeed they do TJW!

    For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.

    That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.