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 @ Cardinals: Arrieta vs Martinez (Game 157)

CHC (88-68): RHP Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43)  
STL (81-75): RHP Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63) 
First pitch: 7:00pmCST

You can run around in a sausage costume, but you cannot hide from getting eliminated from the NL Central, Brewers… Today is the day.

Arrieta had a solid return from the DL on Thursday, giving up 1 ER over 5 innings in Milwaukee. He’s 1-1 with a 3.00 in his three starts against the Cards this season. Overall, they are 39-183 (.213) against him. Grichuk is 7-20 with 2 HR.

Martinez was a little wobbly but won in Cincinnati his last time out (6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 K, 1 BB). He’s 1-1 with a 4.26 in his four starts against the Cubs this year. For their careers, the Cubs are 58-219 (.265) against him. Rizzo is 9-34 with 3 HR.

Tomorrow, Lackey (11-11) facing Wacha (12-8) at 6:00pmCST.

Go Cubs! 
 

Comments

I'm getting the feeling that last night's lineup is the one we will likely see against a right handed starter in the playoffs. If this is correct, it begs the question what can you get for Schwarber in the off season?

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

Schwarber's .970 Sept OPS and 29 HR take a back seat to Jay's .699 Sept OPS and Zobrist's .708 Sept. OPS. Roughly same numbers post-AS break. Joe must really be afraid of his defense. Also, it seems J & Z are more likely to give good ABs against quality pitchers, and the Nats have a lot of them. Maybe they package Schwarber and Caratini to an AL team for a closer next year? I assume they will want a veteran backup next year. Still would have Heyward, Happ, Almora and Zobrist to play OF.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I expect Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, and Baez will play every inning. This leaves only left and right for Zobrist. Hayward may sit against lefties, but against righties I see Zobrist in left over Schwarber. With Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Contreras, and Russell in the lineup, the Cubs have the luxury of not really needing Schwarber’s power.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

I would rather see Zobrist ride the bench than Schwarber, unless Zobrist goes on a hot streak. Schwarber's numbers in the middle of the lineup, where Zobrst has hit a lot, are pretty decent. I'd like to see him batting after Contreras, in the #5 spot.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob Richardson

"Cubs have the luxury of not really needing Schwarber’s power" Rash words. Schwarber started the first two games of the Brewers series, against righties. Those were the games that mattered. Maddon wants everyone to feel like a first-stringer. But I continue to believe that Schwarber figures prominently in their plans going forward. I don't quite see where Russell fits in with this team long term, but after an off year, they'll probably wait another offseason before putting him in their shop window.

Actually, in the WS Games, it couldn't have worked out better for the Cubs 'cause they could just DH Schwarbs - which is his "natural" position. Jon Jay has proved to be a terrific signing, in spite of a little nose-dive. 2017 Dexter is slashing .367 .495 .862 .125 with a 1.8 WAR Is our platoons exceeding this?

Help me settle something. I've been told by a family member that I shouldn't talk as if the Cubs have already won the pennant, that by talking like that, with confidence, I will jinx the team. My arguments are the following: 1 - The words I use won't affect the outcome of these games, and 2 - The magic number is down to 1 with 6 games left. Who is correct?

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Your family member is correct. I've got too many scars... - "Prior and Wood haven't lost back-to-back games all year!" - "Five outs to go!" - "I'm sure Chris Conte will make the smart play on 4th down!" But, to be honest -- is it possible the Cubs could lose 6 in a row? Sure. That the Brewers could simultaneously win 6 in a row? Sure. I never feel comfortable until the deal is done.

Ryno, you are correct unless a black cat crosses your path forcing you to walk under a ladder and into a goat.

You can run around in a sausage costume, but you cannot hide from getting eliminated from the NL Central, Brewers… Today is the day. ===== CT Steve puts new meaning into Braun-schwarber aka Liver Wurst

If it wasn't for their fat contracts, you wouldn't see Heyward OR Zobrist in the lineup much, other than as a reserve. Happ, Almora, Schwarber, Jay, LaStella and of course, Javy--all are better options. Frankly, I wish there was room in the lineup for TLS; I love his approach, he'd be an ideal #2 hitter behind John Jay in a sabermetrically-designed lineup card. Too bad he can't play OF.

Zobrist has been much better in August and September than he's been all year. Remember he's had injury issues that will effect an aging player, but he's getting over all that. He's getting great at bats, making pitchers work, and coming up with clutch hits. I'm fine with him getting more playing time than Schwarber. Heyward' slash line in September is .262/.360/.400/.760. In fine with him playing almost everyday, at least against RHP. His glove seems to positively effect each game. He's also been grinding out good at bats lately, as Jon Jay has ground out great at bats! All of this helps a team win in the postseason. Yes, Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, Russel, should be in the lineup every day, especially in the playoffs (Contreras too for playoffs). The fact is most our other players would be starters on most other teams. So we have 12 position players who would start on most teams. Lastly, Schwarber won't be going any where. He still has yet to get a full season in the big leagues. He's still learning the game. I kinda write 2017 off as a bad year for him. What major leaguer wouldn't mind hitting almost 30 HR knowing their having a bad season. He's shown much promise in the 2nd half. No reason to rush to trade him for relief or starting pitching this offseason. Let him come into his own and he will greatly benefit the Cubs in extending the middle of our batting order deep down the lineup. And don't forget the praise he gets for the intangibles in the clubhouse that we don't ever get to see... Keeping all the players we have around leaves us with so much depth to withstand the injuries we've dealt with this year. If we were short by just one player (had they been traded) this team may not be playing as strong down the stretch as we have been, as many players have been afforded their rest and are playing great when it matters most.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

From the article you referenced: "If you take a look at his splits in the second half, you’ll notice that he’s been perfectly playable against right-handed pitchers (108 wRC+)" So I guess the question is do you want Zobrist's small advantage in batting average and OBP; maybe not so small on advantage defense; or Schwarber's huge advantage in power.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Certainly true. My real question is not should Schwarber play over player X, but since we are (I am) even asking the question about a player who will likely hit 30+ in what might be his worst season, what does that tell us about what is likely to happen in the off season. Who knows, but I'm really just killing time before the playoffs (unless that just jinxed us).

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

E-man... yes he doesn't have the same ooomph, yet he crushed that ball in Milwaukee that gave us some breathing room at a crucial time. I'm, in no way, trying to refute what the advanced stats say, and do recognize their usefulness. But like I say, an aging player who isn't 100% heathy will suffer in ways we've noticed. I think he's gotten past most those aches and pains and his game is improving. In comparison to Schwarber, I much prefer Zobrist's ability to get on base and not strike out so much. He keeps the guys moving around the bases, and extending rallies, while the strikeout that Kyle is prone to doesn't help move base runners over or extend rallies. I think we've got plenty of power in our lineup to win while just putting Schwarbs in for the situations where Joe and the stat geeks think he'll be successful. Having said all that, if Kyle gets back to that approach where he's shortened his swing and going oppo and up the middle, then it's a no brainer to have him in the lineup against RHP. There's just been no real consistency for Kyle in that manner, just a couple short bursts here and there. I guess to say it bluntly, I much prefer more balance of different types of players in our lineup to the boom and bust of all the younger hitters with all the thump in their bats. Now as they mature more over the next couple years, I really do expect that to change and be very dangerous from the 1 to about the 7th spot of the lineup.

[ ]

In reply to by Lester's rattl…

I think against a power pitcher like Scherzer, you probably don't want the trio of Baez, Happ, and Schwarber all in there (plus the pitcher's spot). But outside of those 3, the Cubs don't have high strikeout hitters. Most of the hitters in the lineup are right around the league average and Rizzo, Heyward, Zobrist, La Stella, and Almora all strike out significantly under the league average. The boom or bust lineup is mostly a thing of the past for the Cubs already.

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

I generally agree, however I've seen enough cold spells and high strikeout numbers our lineup has put up even this year (and sometimes against no-name pitchers), that I expect some of that to reer its ugly head when facing better pitching in the postseason. To think we're cured and impervious to those happenings (especially during the postseason when 2 runs will win ballgames) would be foolish. Just look at how many times we've been shutout this year, and how our lineup went cold last postseason against the Dodgers pitching; and even scoring just enough against Cueto in game 1. And yes, Baez, Happ, and Schwarbs all in a lineup against an ace is a big no-no; that obviously is obvious. The balance I like in our lineup rarely should include all those guys together, unless it's a back of the rotation pitcher we're facing, and we won't see many of those playing against the Nats or Dodgers.

carson kelly (yet another cards AAA prospect) behind the plate for the cards. molina might be done for the season.

Cubs #1 Team Batting Title at Hand! As of today, the Cubs lead the NL in Team Batting according to ESPN. 1 in OBP .339 2 in OPS .778 1 in HR 215 3 in RBI 756 Eat it Dusty!

I will not look this up, but with Jay, Almora and Heyward, is there a better OF in the NL in the playoffs? Dodgers have a very good one for sure. And the Nats. Colo is good - but defensively, the Cubs are damn solid.

im so down for clinching the division tonight. got a few quarts of bean/beef chili going (texas-style purists can save their breath) and it would be nice to have some cardinals tears to wash it down.

DFA arrieta. also, are they really bringing the infield in to the grass for jeddddd jerko?

and.........enough of the Mike Freeman Experience please. What's the point with this dude? Friggin Maddon.

Fucking ESPN! Show the goddamn game! I don't want to see your bullshit announcing crew get more cameratime than the friggin game! ESPN just fucking die already, I HATE IT.

contreras down in pain after getting smacked in the knee with a foul. ow. staying in. hopefully he'll just end up with a bruise tomorrow and rest for a day or 2. after a few pitches it looks like he's comfortable and mobile back there.

...and almora just destroyed the OF wall with his shoulder, ribcage, and face. that one don't look good. looking like his right shoulder got rather tweaked. l.martin coming in to play CF for some f'n reason.

After two weeks worth of really good games, I guess they were due for a clunker. Bad Jake, bad fielding, flailing miserably w/RISP, and now a right shoulder injury to Almora. Yuck.

Joe going with the "if you're going to lose, lose big" strategy -- executed to perfection by Pena. Reds get the tying run to 3rd but can't score. Magic Number still 1.

omg this 8th. please don't be a tease... cubs only down by 1!

j.wilson pulled after 7 pitches. he walked his 1st batter and went 2-0 on the next one before joe was "naw." ...and CJ comes in, throws 2 pitches, and walks the guy justin left in the middle of an AB (justin gets that BB on his line, btw). so technically, j.wilson just walked 2 guys with 7 pitches. that's technical cubbery at it's finest.

that game sucked to lose, but at the same time it feels like the cubs didn't deserve to win anyway. so many missed chances to score in many different innings coming up weak or empty.

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

I've hardly seen any plays this year in games the Cubs lost. I'm usually watching on "tape-delay," and I don't start until I know it's fair weather. Otherwise, it's just too many hours. It occurred to me recently--now that the Bears are getting interesting--that your time investment in a pro football team is roughly 17 times three or three-and-a-half hours. With the Cubs, it's 162 times three. That's fine, if you're going to live forever . . .

[ ]

In reply to by VirginiaPhil

VA Phil -- It varies by season. I had a lot more free time in the early Theo years. But, yeah, I hear you. I tend to check in on my phone for the first half of the game, and will turn on to watch if the Cubs have something going, but really usually only watch the last few innings.

Anyone here thinks JWilson will make the Playoff roster? I'm going thumbs down on that one.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I think he will. Bullpen locks would seem to be Davis, CJ, Strop, Monty, Duensing and Rondon (assuming health). That leaves a couple of spots for Lackey (?), Grimm, and/or Wilson. Can't imagine they would go with Maples, Rob Z or Koji at this point. I think he's on the roster.

Well, in case you have not seen this, his Cubs ERA is now 5.74. FIP 3.92. ERA+ went from 177 with the Tigers to 77(!) with the Cubs. 100 points worse!!! And ONE POINT WORSE than Home-Run Grimm. A WHIP of 2.23 for fuck's sake. That is just not bad. That is suck-ass stank for a "specialist" which they can't trust him even to do that. Sorry, but there is no case for him right now. I wish there was.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

I agree he's been bad -- it's not so much a case "for" him, but I don't think there's a better option for the #7 guy out of the pen. He has had some good moments, and Joe might use him for the LOOGY situation that Lester's Rattled Baserunners suggests. Assuming they have 2 more in the pen after the top 6, it's Lackey, Grimm, Wilson, Maples, Rob Z., Pena or Koji. Who ya got?

Recent comments

  • 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.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.