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

R. Mejia Triple Provides the Spark at Riverview

Rafael Mejia belted an RBI triple and scored on a Caleb Knight RBI single and Luis Vazquez singled, walked and scored, and collected an RBI on a GO, in Cubs Minor League Camp intrasquad game action Wednesday morning on Field #6 at the Riverview Baseball Complex on John Arguello Way in Mesa, AZ. 

The game was pre-planned as a six-inning contest. 

Here is the box score from the game: 

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "B" LINEUP:
1. Dalton Hurd, LF: 0-3 (K, K, K)
2. Luis Vazquez, SS: 1-2 (1B, BB, 4-3, R, RBI) 
3. Rafael Mejia, DH #1: 1-3 (5-4-3 DP, 3B, P-4, R, RBI)
4. Caleb Knight, 1B: 1-2 (6-3, 1B, RBI)
5. Josue Huma, 2B: 1-2 (3B, L-9) 
6. Jonathan Soto, C: 1-2 (4-2 FC, 1B, CS)
7. Orian Nunez, DH #2: 0-2 (L-4, 6-4-3 DP)
8. Brandon Vicens, RF: 0-2 (6-3, K)  
9. Yonathan Perlaza, 3B: 0-2 (1-3, E-3, R)
10. Raymond Pena, DH #3: 1-1 (1B, R)
NOTE: Slot was skipped first time thru batting order
11. Fernando Kelli, CF: 0-1 (F-7, HBP, R, SB)

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "A" LINEUP:
1. Clayton Daniel, 2B: 0-2 (K, P-4, BB)
2. Brennen Davis, CF: 0-3 (F-9, 3-1, 4-3)
3. Christopher Morel, SS: 0-2 (K, 4-3, BB)
4. Kevin Moreno, LF: 1-2 (BB, 1B, F-7) 
5. Jake Slaughter, 3B: 1-2 (1B, K)
6. Edmond Americaan, RF: 0-2 (K, E-4, R, SB)
7. Richard Nunez, 1B: 0-2 (P-5, F-8)
8. Danny Zardon, C: 0-2 (F-9, K)
9. Henderson Perez, DH #1: 0-2 (K, F-9)
10. Luis Diaz, DH #2: 0-2 (K, K)

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "B" PITCHERS
1. Blake Whitney: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 0/3 GO/AO, 36 pitches (18 strikes) 
2. Jake Reindl: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 2/1 GO/AO, 22 pitches (16 strikes) 
3. Fauris Guerrero: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1/3, 34 pitches (18 strikes) 

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "A" PITCHERS
1. Alexander Vargas: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/0 GO/AO, 25 pitches (16 strikes) 
2. Casey Ryan: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 2/3 GO/AO, 30 pitches (19 strikes) 
3. Maikel Aguiar: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 29 pitches (15 strikes) 

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "B" ERRORS: 2
1. 2B Josue Huma: E-4 (errant throw to 1st base allowed batter to reach base safely)   
2. C Jonathan Soto: E-2 (errant throw to 2nd base on SB sttempt allowed runner to advance to 3rd)

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "A" ERRORS: 2 
1. 1B Richard Nunez: E-3 (fielding miscue allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. C Danny Zardon: E-2 (errant throw to 3rd base after WP allowed runner to score) 

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "B" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Jonathan Soto: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above) 

EUGENE/MESA SQUAD "A" CATCHERS DEFENSE
Danny Zardon: 1-2 CS, 1 PB, 1 E (see above) 

ATTENDANCE: 10 

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 70's 

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

Comments

RHRP Padro Araujo has been Designated for Assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.

Araujo was selected by the Orioles from the Cubs in the Major League Phase of the 2017 MLB Rule 5 Draft, but he has not yet accrued the 90 days needed to have "Selected Player" status removed (he is ten days short).

Therefore, the Orioles have seven days to trade him to another club (in which case Araujo would still be a "Selected Player" with his new club for ten days after-which he could be optioned to the minors), or if he is not traded he must be placed on Outright Assignment Waivers and any other MLB club can claim Araujo for the $50,000 waiver price, with Araujo continuing to have "Selected Player" status for another ten days (after-which he can be optioned to the minors). 

If he is not traded and is not claimed off waivers by another MLB club, the Orioles must offer Araujo back to the Cubs. The Cubs would then have 72 hours to decide whether to re-claim him for half the Rule 5 Draft price ($50,000) or allow the Orioles to keep him. If the Cubs do re-claim him the Orioles get $50,000 and he would automatically be outrighted back to the minor league club from which he was drafted (AAA Iowa). If the Cubs decline to re-claim Araujo, the Orioles are out the $100,000 they paid the Cubs when they drafted him and Araujo would no longer have "Selected Player" status and so the Orioles could either outright him to the minors or release him. 

If Araujo is outrighted to the minors, he would be eligble to be a minor league 6YFA post-2019 if he is not added back to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) by the 5th day after the final game of the World Series.  

[ ]

In reply to by tim815

As long as a club believes Araujo is worthy of a spot on its MLB 40-man roster (and the Orioles obviously do not), keeping him on the 25 for just ten days and then optioning him to the minors shouldn't be that big of a deal. 

If Araujo is not traded or claimed off waivers, the Cubs can easily re-claim him as long as they don't believe they have a better future use for the $50,000 it will cost to re-claim him. There is also the issue of very limited roster space right now for relief pitchers at both AA and AAA, although Araujo could be sent to Extended Spring Training and remain there until there is a slot for him at Tennessee or Iowa. 

bote just got a 5/15m extension because why not...the real gem of the deal is 2 team option years for 7m and 7.6m

his D is solid enough to play 3rd and 2nd without embarrasing himself, and can probably play the corner OF if needed.

this could end up being one hell of a deal once the option years are kicked in.

It could make him attractive trade bait too. It also might be the end of Addison in a Cub uniform.

You know I hate to say it and it proves how brutal the pen has been, but Brandon Kintzler has been our best RP.  I'd like to see Dillon Maples because his stuff is awesome (assuming he can control it) or Dakota Mekkes.  Mekkes seems to go unnoticed and doesn't get the credit he deserves.  He's blown through every level he's pitched now at AAA.  Throughout his career 94G 147IP 1.16ERA .170AVG 1.05WHIP 190/67 K/BB.  You can't tell me he can't beat out one of the guys in the bullpen?

[ ]

In reply to by cubbies.4ever

He probably does "deserve" it. The hiccup is, he's not on the 40.

When ODLC comes off suspnsion, someone leaves the 40. The same with Addison Russell. Mekkes would make it three. Webster would make it four.

At some point, Brandon Morrow returns, needing a spot. The same for Xavier Cedeno.

Unless you have seven or eight guys you want to purge, it's kinda the guys on hand, now. Which is why developing your own works so well. If it can be pulled off.

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.