Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

42 players are at MLB Spring Training 

31 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE at MLB Spring Training, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 
11 players are MLB Spring Training NON-ROSTER INVITEES (NRI) 

Last updated 3-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 17
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
Daniel Palencia
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

NRI PITCHERS: 5 
Colten Brewer 
Carl Edwards Jr 
* Edwin Escobar 
* Richard Lovelady 
* Thomas Pannone 

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

NRI CATCHERS: 2  
Jorge Alfaro 
Joe Hudson 

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

NRI INFIELDERS: 3 
David Bote 
Garrett Cooper
* Dominic Smith

OUTFIELDERS: 5
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

NRI OUTFIELDERS: 1 
* David Peralta

OPTIONED:
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, RHP 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, RHP 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

 



Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Rucker & Hatch Steal the Yu Show at Riverview

Michael Rucker (five innings) and Tom Hatch (four no hit innings) combined to hurl a three-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts, but neither team could push across a run, and so the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies AA affiliate) and the Tennessee Smokies (Cubs AA affiliate) played to a scoreless tie on Field #5, and the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies AAA affiliate) blistered five HR en route to a 13-5 drubbing of the Iowa Cubs (AAA affiliate of the Cubs) on Field #6, in Cactus League Minor League Spring Training game action Sunday afternoon on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ. 

Zack Short drilled a two-run double for the I-Cubs in a losing cause. 

Yu Darvish came over to the Riverview backfields from MLB Camp and got the start for Iowa, going 4.1 IP (71 pitches - 47 strikes), and allowing three runs on five hits (a HR on the very first pitch of the game, a double, and three singles), no walks, one HBP, two wild pitches, eight strikeouts, and 1/4 GO/AO. Despite allowing the three runs, it actually was a decent outing for Yu.

INF Daniel Descalso, who has been nursing a sore shoulder, also came over to the Minor League side from MLB Camp. Descalso batted second in each of the first six innings, going a combined 0-5 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored, and two strikeouts (one swinging and one looking). He looked a bit rusty at the plate. He played 2B for three innings, then moved to 3B for two innings, and then served as a DH, before retiring to the clubhouse in the 7th.  

Here are the abridged box scores from the game (Cubs players only) 

FIELD #5 

TENNESSEE LINEUP:
1. Roberto Caro, CF: 2-4 (1-3, 1-3, 1B, 1B, SB)
2. Cam Balego, 1B-C: 0-4 (E-5, L-7, K, F-8) 
3a. Rafelin Lorenzo, C: 1-3 (1-3, F-9, 1B)
3b. Tyler Alamo, 1B: 0-1 (6-3)  
4a. Kevonte Mitchell, RF: 0-2 (6-3, K)
4b. Eddy Julio Martinez, RF: 0-1 (K, BB, SB)
5. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 1-4 (1-3, 1B, K, 5-3)
6. Yeiler Peguero, SS: 0-4 (4-3, K, K, K)
7a. Christian Donahue, 3B: 1-3 (2B, F-9, F-9)
7b. Danny Zardon, PH: 0-1 (P-3) 
8. Jesse Hodges, DH: 0-3 (K, F-8, K) 
9. Luis Ayala, LF: 0-3 (P-5, 4-3, L-8)

TENNESSEE PITCHERS
1. Michael Rucker: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1/5 GO/AO, 75 pitches (51 strikes) 
2. Tom Hatch: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 PO, 1/3 GO/AO, 59 pitches (36 strikes) 

TENNESSEE ERRORS: 1 
SS Yeiler Peguero: E-6 (errant throw to 1st base allowed batter to reach base safely) 

TENNESSEE CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. Rafelin Lorenzo: 1-1 CS, 1 PO
2. Cam Balego: 1-1 CS  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

FIELD #6 

IOWA LINEUP:
X. Daniel Descalso, 2B-3B-DH: 0-5 (1-3, K, 9-6 FC, K, E-3, BB, R, SB) 
NOTE: Descalso batted 2nd in the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th innings
1. Jacob Hannemann, DH #1: 2-4 (3-U, 2B, 1B, 3-1, R)
2a. P. J. Higgins, C: 2-2 (1B, 1B, RBI)
2b. Fernando Arcia, C: 0-2 (L-4 DP, 3-1)
3. Trent Giambrone, DH-2B: 0-3 (F-8, K, BB, 4-3, R)
4. Vimael Machin, 3B-DH: 2-3 (1B, K, 1B, R, PO) 
5a. Charcer Burks, CF: 0-1 (F-8, BB, R)
5b. Fidel Mejia, 3B: 1-1 (1B, RBI)
6a. Zack Short, SS: 1-1 (BB, 2B, 2 RBI)
6b. Edmond Americaan, CF: 0-1 (6-4 FC, RBI)
7a. Tyler Payne, DH #3: 0-0 (BB) 
7b. Raymond Pena, PH: 0-1 (K)
7c. Josue Huma, SS: 0-1 (6-4-3 DP) 
8. Ian Rice, 1B: 0-2 (F-7, K, BB)
9. Brandon Hughes, RF: 0-3 (5-3, K, 6-4-3 DP)  
10. D. J. Artis, LF: 0-2 (P-2, BB, K) 

IOWA PITCHERS
1. Yu Darvish: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 2 WP, 1/4 GO/AO, 71 pitches (47 strikes) 
2. Colin Rea: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 0/2 GO/AO, 35 pitches (23 strikes) 
3. Wyatt Short: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R (1 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 23 pitches (9 strikes) 
4. Ryan Williams: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 1 WP, 2/2 GO/AO, 30 pitches (18 strikes) 

IOWA ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Josue Huma: E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. 3B Fidel Mejia: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 

IOWA CATCHERS DEFENSE
1. P. J. Higgins: 0-1 CS 
2. Fernando Arcia: 0-2 CS 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ATTENDANCE: 94 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 70's 

Arizona 
Scoring 
Service 

"Just because it isn't official doesn't mean it didn't happen" 

Comments

Not one, not two, but - THREE - simultaneous six inning Cubs minor league intrasquad "sim" games on John Arguello Way at the Riverview Baseball Complex this morning (9 AM start): 

The Arizona Scoring Service chose not to provide comprehensive box scores for the games so that AZ Phil's head would not explode, but at least here are the pitchers who threw in the three games: 

FIELD #6 (Iowa vs Tennessee) 

IOWA: 
Matt Swarmer (five innings) 
Dakota Mekkes (one inning) 

TENNESSEE: 
Cory Abbott (five innings) 
Manuel Rondon (one inning) 

FIELD #5 (Myrtle Beach vs South Bend) 

MYRTLE BEACH: 
Javier Assad (five innings) 
Garrett Kelly (one inning) 

SOUTH BEND: 
Riley Thompson (five innings) 

FIELD #4 (Eugene/Mesa split squad) 

SQUAD "A" 
Ryan Lawlor (two innings) 
Jack Patterson (two inings) 
Ivan Medina (one inning) 

SQUAD "B" 
Jose Albertos (two innings) 
Yunior Perez (two innings) 
Ivan Medina (two innings) 

Only two of the pitchers who threw in the game on Field #4 (Albertos and Y. Perez) are presently assigned to the Eugene/Mesa squad. With the exception of I. Medina, the pitchers who worked in this game were there specifically so that they could throw two innings (30 pitches).  

Fidel Mejia hit his third Cub Minor League Camp HR in the game on Field #5 (he leads Cubs minor leaguers in HR this ST), and he could very well make the South Bend Opening Day roster. The switch-hitting third-baseman has been one of the surprises at Cubs Minor League Camp (so far). 

d.descalso is due to return this week and will allegedly be opening day ready...

y.darvish is good to go after his 5 inning minor leuge game on saturday, and he's expected to start the 2nd game of the season for the cubs.

wtf is r.porcello's skull made of?

how is he walking around and laughing?  he takes a comebacker off the skull hard enough to fly well into CF and he's staying in the game.

what a game...nice.  cubs win.

k.ryan effectively closed out the game.  i imagine he's probably going to break with the team now that duensing is out of the picture even though a.webster is probably more deserving.  who knows...

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    SF snags b.snell...2/62m

  • Cubster (view)

    AZ Phil: THAT is an awesome report worth multiple thanks. I’m sure it will be worth reposting in an “I told you so” in about 2-3 years.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The actual deadline to select a post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agent signed to 2024 minor league contract (Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta) to the MLB 40-man roster is not MLB Opening Day, it is 12 PM (Eastern) this coming Sunday (3/24). 

    However, the Cubs could notify the player prior to the deadline that the player is not going to get added to the 40 on Sunday, which would allow the player to opt out early. Otherwise the player can opt out anytime after the Sunday deadline (if he was not added to the 40 by that time). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Today is an off day for both the Cubs MLB players and the Cubs minor league players.  

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    For those of you keeping track, so far nine players have been called up to Mesa from the Cubs Dominican Academy for Minor League Camp and they will be playing in the ACL in 2024: 

    * bats or throws left 

    Angel Cepeda, INF 
    * Miguel Cruz, P
    Yidel Diaz, C 
    * Albert Gutierrez, 1B
    Fraiman Marte, P  
    Francis Reynoso, P (ex-1B) 
    Derniche Valdez, INF 
    Edward Vargas, OF 
    Jeral Vizcaino, P 

    And once again, despite what you might read at Baseball Reference and at milb.com, Albert Gutierrez is absolutely positively a left-handed hitter (only), NOT a right-handed hitter.

    Probably not too surprisingly, D. Valdez was the Cubs #1 prospect in the DSL last season, Cepeda was the DSL Cubs best all-around SS prospect not named Derniche Valdez, Gutierrez was the DSL Cubs top power hitting prospect not named Derniche Valdez, E. Vargas was the DSL Cubs top outfield prospect (and Cepeda and E. Vargas were also the DSL Cubs top two hitting prospects), Y. Diaz was the DSL Cubs top catching prospect, and M. Cruz was the DSL Cubs top pitching prospect. 

    F. Marte (ex-STL) and J. Vizcaino (ex-MIL) are older pitchers (both are 22) who were signed by the Cubs after being released by other organizations and then had really good years working out of the bullpen for the Cubs in the DSL last season. 

    The elephant in the room is 21-year old Francis Reynoso, a big dude (6'5) who was a position player (1B) at the Cardinals Dominican Academy for a couple of years, then was released by STL in 2022, and then signed by the Cubs and converted to a RHP at the Cubs Dominican Academy (and he projects as a high-velo "high-leverage" RP in the states). He had a monster year for the DSL Cubs last season (his first year as a pitcher). 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    DJL: The only players who definitely have opt outs are Cooper, Edwards, and Peralta (Opening Day, 5/1, and 6/1), and that's because they are post-2023 Article XX-B MLB free agents who signed 2024 minor league contracts and (by rule) they get those opt outs automatically. 

    Otherwise, any player signed to a 2024 minor league contract - MIGHT or - MIGHT NOT - have an opt out in their contract, but it is an individual thing, and if there are contractual opt outs the opt out(s) might not necessarily be Opening Day. It could be 5/1, or 6/1, or 7/1 (TBD).

    Because of their extensive pro experience, the players who most-likely have contractual opt outs are Alfaro, Escobar, and D. Smith, but (again), not necessarily Opening Day. 

    Also, just because a player has the right to opt out doesn't mean he will. 

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I love the idea that Madrigal heads to Iowa in case Morel can’t handle third.

    The one point that intrigues me here is Cooper over Smith. I feel like the Cubs really like Smith and don’t want to lose him. Could be wrong. He def seems like an opt out if he misses the opening day roster

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: Both Madrigal and Wisdom can be optioned without any restriction. Their consent is not required. 

    They both can be outrighted without restriction, too (presuming the player is not claimed off waivers), but if outrighted they can choose to elect free agency (immediately, or deferred until after the end of the MLB season).

    If the player is outrighted and elects free-agency immediately he forfeits what remains of his salary.

    If he accepts the assignment and defers free agency until after the conclusion of the season, he continues to get his salary, and he could be added back to the 40 anytime prior to becoming a free-agent (club option). 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Phil, 
    Madrigal and Wisdom can or cannot refuse being optioned to the Minors?
    If they can refuse it, wouldn't they elect to leave the Cubs org?

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    In my opinion, the biggest "affirmative" mistake the Cubs made in the off-season (that is, doing something they should not have done), was blowing $9M in 2024 AAV on Hector Neris. What the Cubs actually need is an alternate closer to be in the pen and available to close if Alzolay pitched the day before (David Robertson would have been perfect), because with his forearm issue last September, I would be VERY wary of over-using Alzolay. I'm not even sure I would pitch him two days in a row!  

    And of course what the Cubs REALLY need is a second TOR SP to pair with Justin Steele. That's where the Cubs are going to need to be willing to package prospects (like the Padres did to acquire Dylan Cease, the Orioles did to acquire Corbin Burnes, and the Dodgers did to acquire Tyler Glasnow). Obviously those ships have sailed, but I would say right now the Cubs need to look very hard at trying to acquire LHSP Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins (and maybe LHP A. J. Puk as well).