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

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

  • 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...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.

  • crunch (view)

    dbacks are signing j.montgomery to a 1/25m with a vesting 20m player option.

    i dunno when the ink officially dries, but i believe if he signs once the season begins he can't be offered a QO...and i'm not sure if that thing with SD/LAD in korea was the season beginning, either.

  • crunch (view)

    sut says imanaga getting the home opener at wrigley (game 4 of the season).

  • crunch (view)

    cubs rolling out the who's who of "who the hell is this guy?" in the last spring game.

  • videographer (view)

    AZ Phil, speaking of Jordan Wicks having better command when he tires a bit, I remember reading about Dennis Lamp 40 years ago and his sinker that was better after 3 or 4 innings when he would tire a bit and get more sink with a little less speed on the pitch.  The key for Lamp was getting to the 4th inning.