Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus one player is 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 3-28-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# 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 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 1 
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 1 
Caleb Kilian, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Cubs @ Reds: Series Thread (Games 82-84)

The Cubs mustered a big comeback and debuted their new closer, Kimbrel, to end the first half of the season. Today, they open the second half with a weekend series against the last-place Cincinnati Reds. Although they bring up the rear of the NL Central, the Reds are hardly a bad club in 2019. They are only 6.5 games behind the Cubs and feature a pretty good pitching staff (fourth in the majors by ERA- at 82). There offense has not kept pace with their run prevention. The two teams last faced off in Chicago near the end of May, when the Reds took the series 2-1. Read past the break for day-by-day matchups and a little first-half questionnaire.


Game 82, June 28, 6:05pmCDT
CHC: LHP Cole Hamels (6-2, 2.92 ERA)
CIN: RHP Sonny Gray (3-5, 4.03 ERA)

Hamels got a no-decision against the Mets, going 7 innings and allowing 3 runs, including two solo homeruns. Javy eventually got the Cubs out of that one with the two-strike, three-run homerun in the eighth. Since his Cubs debut on August 1 of last year, Hamels is 10-5 with a 2.67 ERA. Hard to believe the main piece coming from the Cubs was Eddie Butler (with the caveat that it's still possible Alexander Ovalles, the PTBNL, turns out to be the best player the Cubs sent). Jose Peraza is 4-9 off of him with a HR. Votto is 5-23 with one homerun.

Gray signed with the Reds in the offseason and has been so-so. His peripherals give some reason to hope his results might improve, especially his strikeout rate which has risen to just over 10 per nine innings. Although he has mostly avoided the homerun bug that has swept through the majors this year, he did allow two homeruns (and four total earned runs) in 4.1 during his last start. The Cubs are 6-32 off of him. Almora is 2-2 with a homerun and Russell is 2-4 with a homer. Heyward is 0-8 with a strikeout.


Game 83, June 29, 3:10pmCDT
CHC: LHP Jose Quintana (4-7, 4.50 ERA)
CIN: RHP Luis Castillo (7-2, 2.56 ERA)

Quintana got hung out to dry in his last start, allowing eight earned runs including three homeruns against the Mets. Nothing much has stood out about his first half performance--he just hasn't been as effective as fans would hope. Joey Votto is 10-20 off of him and Suarez is 7-21 with a homerun.

Castillo walked five and allowed six runs, four earned, in 3.1 innings in his last start. It was only the second time this season he's gone less than five. Overall, he's taken a step forward in 2019, and his high strikeout and groundball rates have allowed him to work around an elevated walk rate. He beat the Cubs on 5/16, going 5.1 and allowing two earned runs. Contreras is 4-6 with three doubles and Schwarber is 3-9 with two homeruns.


Game 84, June 30, 12:10pmCDT
CHC: LHP Jon Lester (7-5, 3.83 ERA)
CIN: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (4-4, 4.70 ERA)

Lester allowed two runs, zero earned, in six innings to earn a win against Atlanta in his last start. He spent from mid-May to mid-June regressing from some spectacular early season stats. In his last two starts he's gotten more of the soft contact that's allowed him to last as a top-of-the-rotation starter even as he becomes something of a baseball elder statesman. Suarez is 10-34 with three homeruns off of him. Jose Peraza is 12-29.

Following a breakout in 2016, Desclafani missed all of 2017 to an elbow injury and has not been able to repeat that success since. Homeruns have been the big problem for him so far. Last time out, he pitched 4.1 innings and allowed six earned runs to the Brewers. Current Cubs have an .802 OPS against him in 117 at bats. Bryant is 6-17 with a homerun.


I thought about doing some sort of mid-point stat and storyline roundup. Instead, I'd like to request that you discuss the most fun aspects of the first half in the comments. In particular, I'd love to hear about what you think have been the most fun pitcher, position player, batting event, defensive play, and game of the first half. Thanks in advance for sharing!

Comments

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

hopefully ham will be fine.  no idea how bad he's hurt, but he walked off the mound while warming for the 2nd and into the dugout...not like he crumpled to the ground or gingerly walked off.

if he does have to sit out a start at least the all-star break is almost here and he'll get a few extra days on top of it.

Most fun pitcher: tie between the Professor (for the Maddux game) and Alzolay (for being a living, breathing and, so far, a tantalizingly talented starting pitching prospect signed and developed during the Jedstein era - who would a thunk it possible??

Doesn‘t Javy have “most fun position player” tattooed on the back of his neck?  Who am I to disagree with that. 

Need to mull over possible batting events and defensive plays, but I’ll vote for game 81 (yesterday) — Early Despair, Comeback, Cookie Monster and Kimbrel‘s first entrance and ensuing drama - everything you could ask for. 

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

most fun pitcher...sweaty les walrond

honestly, though...i loved Z.  his misplaced hyped up passion...his humor.  toward the end he was just straight up wearing out his welcome, but he was still fun in a drunk uncle at xmas kind of way.

RIP gatorade machine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlepYUrJ2mk (in case anyone wants to relive this epic meltdown, including Z tossing the ump out of the game)

btw, he's currently on yet another half-assed comeback with a very low-end indie leage "American Association" pitching out of the pen for the Chicago Dogs (yes, seriously)

16.2ip 19h 2bb 9k, 3.78era (13 games)

[ ]

In reply to by Eric S

Javy seems like he'll be a popular choice, for sure. A few years ago I figured Javy must have one of the highest fun:value ratios, but now he's really good too.

I've been thinking that the Maddux might be my favorite game of the first half. But Hamels has been the pitcher I've enjoyed watching the most so far. (All my digits are crossed for this injury to not be serious.)

Hamels to IL with left oblique strain.  Monty/Chatwood DFA’d, Cookie Monster called up

[ ]

In reply to by crunch

After Alzolay starts next Monday and Chatwood or Montgomery starts on Wednesday, the Cubs won't need 4th & 5th starters again until Monday 7/15 & Tuesday 7/16. The Cubs can even option Alzolay to AAA on Tuesday (after his start on Monday) and he could pitch in the Futures Game a week from Sunday, before being recalled on 7/15 or 7/16 (presuming Hendricks isn't back by then).

Meanwhile, the Cubs could add an extra bullpen arm on Tuesday and carry that extra reliever all the way through 7/14 or 7/15 if they wish. Best guess is Barnette gets recalled on Saturday (replacing Hamels on the 25) and Edwards or Cedeno gets reinstated from the IL on Tuesday (replacing Alzolay on the 25 until 7/14 or 7/15). 

Sounds like Cargo was saying his good byes and getting hugs after the game. I believe they will be adding two bullpen arms on Saturday.

Danny Hultzen put on IL by Iowa for groin soreness. Better than shoulder/arm soreness I guess.  Didn‘t see any radar gun readings but his limited outings in Iowa were effective. 

ERIC S: Danny Hultzen's FB velo pre-IL at Iowa was reported at 92-95, which was down a bit from what it was at EXST (93-96 T-97) when he was throwing one inning once or twice a week.

This London game on track for nine + hours, London fans used to all day cricket matches should be comfortable with this. 

What happened to Xavier Cedeno? He hasn't pitched in Iowa since 6/20. Haven't seen any report of a setback.

Q has six prior day starts going into today: 0-4 record with a 6.29 ERA

Also has a lifetime record of 74 wins, 75 losses

I’m a fan of JHey in the month of June

Last June: 327/364/510, 873 OPS with 3 homers (his best OPS month, by far, of his Cubs career going into this season)

This June, going into today: 326/362/539, 901 OPS with 4 homers (now 5 so far today)

As great as it’s going in June, he was even better in March/April with a 932 OPS (5 homers)

Had a poor May (618 OPS, 3 homers) but this has been a banner year so far. 

There was a time when KB had a five hit game, with 3 home runs and 2 doubles, in this park. Today is not that day. 

If the Cubs go on to lose this game ... such a disappointing half inning. I no longer get very disappointed when a Cub bounces into a double play which actually scores a run — seen too many bases loaded, no out situations which come up nil. 

That’s it for Q after 101 pitches: 6 IP, 0 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 BB, 4 Ks.  Hell of a start and badly needed after all the bullpen work yesterday. 

schwarber looks exhausted and not 100% checked into the game out there...bit slumpy with his body.

I was really hoping Javy would go to right field - and boy did he ever! Grand slam!!!

puig has strong opinions about a 3-0 pitch that hit him.

was it on purpose?  probably.  he earned it, though.

now that's maples-as-hell

dude HBP's peraza and the ump doesn't consider it intentional even after warnings were given...cuz, you know, he's maples.

cubs win, brews win...the constant state of closeness continues with the cubs ahead by a game.

cards are currently losing by 6 in the 3rd to SD.

also, BAL beats CLE 13-0, two games in a row.

Alzolay, PROFESSOR, Darvish and Q will start in Pittsburgh 

Carl Jr to start rehab assignment with Iowa on Monday

RHRP Tony Barnette has been placed on the Restricted List, apparently for leaving the Iowa Cubs (they were in San Antonio) after he was not recalled to replace Hamels on the 25-man roster. 

BTW, if Zobrist and/or Barnette are not reinstated from the Restricted List by midnight on 8/31, they will not be eligible to play in the MLB post-season (presuming the Cubs get there). 

[ ]

In reply to by Arizona Phil

honestly, he's got every reason to be pissed.  dunno if this is the proper way to express it, but i get his angst.

he signed on as a MLB injury reclaimation, not "i'm a AAAA player."  he's also in his mid-30s, so he's running out of time to establish himself as a guy worthy of a nice paycheck.

he's healthy, his few weeks in AAA showed he's done with it, and he's not getting work.

DFA lester.

1h, 1bb, 3 runs in.

cubbery.

turns out strop has a rather strong opinion about puig...

“It’s not a secret he’s stupid. He’s stupid as f---. I have nothing against him, but he’s stupid. There’s no doubt about it.”

Remember when we had a deep lineup? Now we’re stuck with Russell, Almora, Descalso, etc in big spots. Not how you win.

What is this thing the Reds keep on doing - this hitting with runners in scoring position thingamjiig thingy?  That’s certainly not in “The Cubs Way” manual.

Did the Cubs win a series in June? brutal

On the other hand, at worst, Cubs will be tied for the division lead heading into July. So there is that ...

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    steele MRI on friday.  counsell expects an IL stint.

    no current plans for his rotation replacement.

  • hellfrozeover (view)

    I would say also in the bright side column is Busch looked pretty good overall at the plate. Alzolay…man, that hurts but most of the time he’s not giving up a homer to that guy. To me the worst was almonte hanging that pitch to Garcia. He hung another one to the next hitter too and got away with it on an 0-1. 

  • crunch (view)

    amaya blocked like 6-8 of smyly's pitches in the dirt very cleanly...not even an exaggeration, smyly threw a ton of pitches bouncing in tonight.

    neris looking like his old self was a relief (no pun), too.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    In looking for bright spots the defense was outstanding tonight. The “stars” are going to need to shine quite a bit brighter than they did tonight offensively though for this to be a successful season.

  • Eric S (view)

    Good baseball game. Hopefully Steele is pitching again in April (but I’m not counting on it). 

  • crunch (view)

    boo.

  • crunch (view)

    smyly to face the 2/3/4 hitters with a man on 2nd in extras.

    this doesn't seem like a 8 million dollar managerial decision.

  • crunch (view)

    i 100% agree with you, but i dunno how jed wants to run things.  the default is delay.  i would choose brown.

    like hellfrozeover says, could be smyly since he's technically fresh and stretched.

    anyway, on a pure talent basis....brown is the best option.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Use pitchers when you believe they're good. Don't plan their clock.

    I'm sorry. I'm simply anti-clock/contract management. Play guys when they show real MLB potential talent.

    If Brown hadn't been hurt with the Lat Strain he would've gotten the call, and not Wick.

    Give him a chance. 

    But Wesneski probably gets it

  • crunch (view)

    alzolay...bro...