Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, ten players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, two players are on the 15-DAY IL, and two players are on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-17-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* 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: 10 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 2 
Seiya Suzuki, OF
Patrick Wisdom, INF 

15-DAY IL: 2
* Justin Steele, P  
Jameson Taillon, P 

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

South Bend Cubs Thump Emeralds at Riverview

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Andy Garriola clubbed a 420+ foot solo HR over the right-centerfield fence, singled, and drew a walk, Christian Franklin singled twice, walked, and drove-in two runs, Kevin Made singled, walked twice, stole two bases, and scored two runs, Haydn McGeary doubled, walked and scored a run, Jacob Wetzel belted a solo HR, and Tyler Santana and five relievers combined to toss a four-hitter, leading the South Bend Cubs (Hi-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs) to a 5-1 victory over the Eugene Emeralds (San Francisco Giants' Hi-A affiliate) on Field #6, and the San Jose Giants (Lo-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants) took advantage of ten walks, a HBP, a WP, a PB, and two costly errors to defeat the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs' Lo-A affiliate) 4-2 on Field #5, in Cactus League minor league game action Tuesday afternoon at the Riverview Baseball Complex in Mesa, AZ.  

Here are the abridged box scores from the two games (Cubs players only):

FIELD #6: 

SOUTH BEND LINEUP: 
1a. James Triantos, 3B: 0-1 (K) 
1b. Yeison Santana, 3B: 0-3 (6-3, L-3 DP, P-4) 
2. Moises Ballesteros, DH: 0-4 (4-3, K, 4-3, 4-3) 
3. Kevin Made, SS: 1-1 (1B, BB, BB, 2 R, 2 SB)
4a. Haydn McGeary, 1B: 1-2 (L-9, 2B, BB, R) 
4b. Miguel Fabrizio, 1B: 0-1 (L-9) 
5a. Christian Franklin, CF: 2-2 (1B, 1B, BB, 2 RBI) 
5b. Parker Chavers, CF: 0-1 (L-6) 
6. Cristian Hernandez, 2B: 1-4 (5-4-3 DP, F-8, 1B, K) 
7. Andy Garriola, LF: 2-2 (BB, HR, 1B, R, RBI) 
8. Casey Opitz, C: 0-2 (BB, K, K) 
9a. D. J. Artis, RF: 0-2 (K, E-6) 
9b. Jacob Wetzel, RF: 1-1 (HR, R, RBI) 

SOUTH BEND PITCHERS: 
1. Tyler Santana: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/AO, 18 pitches (15 strikes) 
2. Sam Thoresen: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 1/2 GO/AO, 29 pitches (17 strikes) 
3. Chase Watkins: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 0/1 GO/AO, 20 pitches (12 strikes)
4. Grant Kipp: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 15 pitches (10 strikes) 
5. Brody McCullough: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/AO, 12 pitches (6 strikes) 
6. Jarod Wright: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 23 pitches (16 strikes) 

SOUTH BEND ERRORS: 1 
3B Yeison Santana: E-5 (errant throw to 1st base on infield single allowed batter to advance to 2nd base)  

FIELD # 5: 

MYRTLE BEACH LINEUP: 
1a. Christopher Paciolla, SS: 0-2 (P-4, K) 
1b. Josue Huma, SS: 0-2 (F-8, L-8) 
2a. Jefferson Rojas, 2B: 1-2 (2B, F-9) 
2b. Juan Mora, 2B: 1-2 (2B, K, R) 
3. Adan Sanchez, DH: 1-4 (K, 2B, F-7, F-8, R) 
4a. Pedro Ramirez, 3B: 0-2 (F-8, K) 
4b. Reggie Preciado, 3B: 2-2 (1B, 1B, RBI) 
5a. Jefferson Encarnacion, LF: 0-1 (BB, F-9, PO) 
5b. Frank Hernandez, LF: 0-2 (K, K) 
6. Cristian More, RF: 1-4 (K, K, 1B, P-5) 
7a. Miguel Pabon, C: 0-1 (HBP, F-8) 
7b. Ronnier Quintero, C: 0-2 (K, F-7)  
8. Anderson Surriel, 1B: 0-3 (F-9, F-8, 3-U) 
9a. Ke'Shun Collier, CF: 0-2 (F-8, 4-3) 
9b. Ismael Mena, CF: 0-1 (E-4)  

MYRTLE BEACH PITCHERS: 
1. Erian Rodriguez: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 5 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 46 pitches (25 strikes) 
2. Branden Noriega: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 2/0 GO/AO, 25 pitches (14 strikes) 
3. Yovanny Cabrera: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 36 pitches (22 strikes) 
4. Oliver Roque: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 2/0 GO/AO, 36 pitches (16 strikes) 

MYRTLE BEACH ERRORS: 2 
1. 1B Anderson Surriel: E-3 (errant throw to 2nd base attempting 3-6 FC allowed runner to reach 2nd safely) 
2. P Oliver Roque: E-1 (errant pick-off attempt at 1st base allowed runner to advance 3rd) 

MYRTLE BEACH CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Miguel Pabon: 1-1 CS 
2. Ronnier Quintero: 1 PB 

ATTENDANCE: 37 

WEATHER: Mostly cloudy with temperatures in the 80's 

Arizona 
Scoring
Service 

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

Tags
Cubs Minor Leagues

Comments

Submitted by SheffieldCornelia on Wed, 03/15/2023 - 03:13 pm

AZ Phil, thank you as always for these reports!  I apologize if this has been asked before, but I will be in town next week with the family and we may try to catch a minor league spring training game or two.  What time in the afternoon do the games usually start?

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 03/15/2023 - 03:53 pm

SHEFF: Usually 1 PM, but sometimes they move games to the morning or to the evening, and when they make a change it is often done at the last minute.  

For example, last night all of the Cactus League minor league games scheduled for today across Maricopa County were moved up to the morning to try and beat the rain, but the rain got here first and it looks like it's going to be here for most of the day. 

Submitted by tim815 on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 03:23 pm

AZ Phil, I have a question, and you can go with the short answer.

 

The Cubs seem to have more RP than I'm used to them having. Are there rules limiting trading minor-league free agents, like Roenis Elias, Mark Leiter, or Curtis Taylor?

 

So many keep-able arms.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 03:31 pm

TIM:

SHORT ANSWER: 

There are no restrictions with respect to trading Elias, Leiter, and C. Taylor.  

LONG ANSWER:

Other than a contractual "no trade" (and those are almost always only found in multi-year MLB mega-contracts like Hosmer, Suzuki, Swanson, and Taillon have), the only MLB free-agents who get an automatic "no trade" are an Article XX-B MLB free-agent who signs a Major League contract after 11:59 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day after the final game of the World Series, even if the player re-signs with his former club like Drew Smyly did. (Zack Britton and Mike Minor will get an automatic "no trade" through 6/15 if they get around to signing a major league contract one of these days). 

The automatic "no trade" extends through June 15th, then it expires. 

An Article XX-B MLB Free-Agent who receives "no trade" rights this way can waive the right, but if he does, his club can trade the player only for player contracts and/or cash with a maximum aggregate value of $50,000. (in other words, the player cannot be traded for a player or players on an MLB 40-man roster).

Note that a player who signs a Major League contract after becoming a free-agent by any other means like Outright Release (Hosmer), Non-Tendered, or Article XX-D or MLB Rule 9 minor league free-agent does NOT receive automatic "no trade" rights through June 15th. 

So for the Cubs, Barnhart, Boxberger, Fulmer, Mancini, Smyly, Swanson (who also has a contractual full "no trade"), and Taillon (who also has a contractual partial "no trade") have an Article XX-B automatic "no trade" through 6/15.

Hosmer and Suzuki have a contractual full "no trade" (Hosmer from his San Diego contract that is still in effect). 

Also, if an Article XX-B MLB free-agent signs a minor league contract at least ten days prior to MLB Opening Day, and then is not selected to an MLB Reserve List (40-man roster) or MLB 60-day Injured List by 12 PM (Eastern) on the 5th day prior to MLB Opening Day (that will be Saturday 3/25), the player can unilaterally opt-out of the minor league contract immediately, or on May 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Reserve List or MLB 60-day IL by that date, or on June 1st if he has not been added to an MLB Active List (25-man roster) or an MLB  IL by that date.
NOTE: The $100,000 retention bonus paid to an Article XX-B free-agent signed to a minor league contract who is not released or added to an MLB Reserve List or MLB 60-day IL by MLB Opening Day has been eliminated in 2023. 

Ordinarily the above paragraph related to automatic opt outs would have applied to Tyler Duffey, but he was not on an MLB 40-man roster when he became  a free-agent post-2022 (he was on a minor league reserve list), so he was not considered a post-2022 Article XX-B MLB free-agent even though he has accrued more than six years of MLB Service time in his career. He may very well have a contractual Opening Day opt-out, however. ((I strongly suspect he does). But that could be true for any FA who signed a 2023 minor league contract (especially for veteran guys like Elias, Leiter, and Tauchman). But it would have to be a contractual opt-out. It's not automatic. 

One other thing to keep in mind about trades later this season. While most minor league players can be traded after the MLB Trade Deadline, David Bote, Michael Kay, and Manuel Rodriguez cannot be traded after the MLB Trade Deadline because they were outrighted to the minors. That would also be true of any other player presently on the Cubs MLB 40-man roster who is outrighted between now and the MLB Trade Deadline. 

Submitted by KingKongvsGodzilla on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 03:12 am

Hey, I'm loving the new look this year. Any thoughts on this Erian Rodriguez kid? Nice to see he and Ronnier Quintero in these box scores

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 03:15 pm

darren baker (WAS) hit a grand slam in the 9th vs his dad's team to tie the game.  WAS ended up winning, too.  add another random baseball thing to the "wow, i feel old" pile.

Submitted by crunch on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 03:27 pm

stroman 4.1ip 5h 1bb 2k, 2r/er (1 hbp) vs mexico.

assad carved up puerto rico 2.2ip 1h 1bb 4k, 0r/er...throwing 94-95mph heat and good movement on the slightly lower velocity sinker.  broke a bat...all around dominating.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/18/2023 - 03:28 am

The following Cubs minor leaguers are presently in the Medical Rehab Group (limited activity - playing catch only) at Minor League Camp: 

Garrett Brown, RHP (2022 draft pick)
Luis Devers, RHP 
Joandy Duran, RHP (DSL in 2022) 
Manuel Espinoza, RHP 
Stephen Gonsalves, LHP (signed successor contract)
Jordan Holloway, RHP
Scott Kobos, LHP 
Brailyn Marquez, LHP (re-signed after being non-tendered)
Shane Marshall, RHP (2022 draft pick)
Ezequiel Pagan, OF 
Jack Patterson, LHP 
Kenyi Perez, RHP 
Tyler Schlaffer, RHP
JP Wheat, RHP (2022 draft pick)
Brad Wieck, LHP 

Also, RHP Will Frisch (pre-draft TJS in 2022) and LHP Wilson Cunningham (on Spring Break from U. of Chicago) threw "live" BP on Field # 3 yesterday (Friday).  

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Sat, 03/18/2023 - 03:43 am

So far, the only pitcher at Minor League Camp who was brought up from the Cubs DSL Academy and was not at post-2022 AZ Instructs is RHP Juan Bello. 

Submitted by George Altman on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 03:28 pm

AZ Phil, 

If the Cubs go with adding 4 NRI's to the 26-Man (e.g. Borucki or Little, Leiter, Torrens or Bote, Tauchman), who gets dropped from the 40-man assuming Hendricks & Suzuki go to the IL-15? Thanks!

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 03:27 pm

z.mckinstry does nothing d.bote doesn't already do as well or better.  i'm not clear on what their plan is with m.mastrobuoni, but having mast and mckinstry around seems like overkill on top of overkill.  this team seems to really like mckinstry, though...no idea how to handicap that.

eric hosmer is eric hosmer and i still don't understand that low-cost "gamble" even with a need at 1st.  the cubs cast a wide net over the garbage pile looking for valuable scrap, but i think the cubs can handle being weak at 1st without hosmer helping out.  e.rios taking reps at 1st and looking capable with the glove isn't helping hosmer's chances.

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 03/20/2023 - 03:36 am

GEORGE A:

1. Of course Eric Hosmer should be released, but I doubt that he will be. I suspect he was given some assurance by the Cubs that he will have a job at least until Matt Mervis is ready, and that the Cubs do not believe Mervis will be ready by Opening Day. 

2. Zach McKinstry is having a bad spring both offensively and defensively so I believe he will be placed on waivers (if  he isn't traded first). BTW, McKinstry can NOT elect free-agency if he is outrighted. And if he is claimed off waivers, so be it. Miles Mastrobuoni can do everything McKinstry can do (including play SS) AND do it better. 

3. Nick Madrigal still does not appear have a spot on the Cubs 26-man Opening Day roster and the Astros just lost 2B Jose Altuve for a lengthy period of time, so there you go... 

4. If Adrian Sampson does not win the 5th SP gig (and right now it is probably no better than 50/50 that he will), I cannot see him working out of the MLB bullpen. Also, the Cubs would probably like someone to claim his $1.9M AAV contract off waivers. But even if he does clear waivers and gets outrighted, he might elect free-agency (although I doubt he would want to give up his $1.9M salary, which would happen if he elects free-agency immediately after being outrighted). But at least he would be off the 40 while staying stretched-out at Iowa. 

5. Rowan Wick is making $1.2M and is no better than several other candidates for the pen making MLB minimum ($500K less than Wick), so if they can't trade him I would think the Cubs would be fine with another club claiming his $1.2M AAV contract off waivers. If he isn't claimed off waivers, then (as with Sampson) you outright him to the minors (which at least gets him off the 40) and maybe he will elect free-agency (but probably not because he won't want to give up his contract and forfeit his salary). 

6. Michael Rucker has value as a Chicago - Des Moines shuttle guy making essentially MLB minimum salary, but I could see the Cubs taking a chance on getting him through waivers if they absolutely need his slot on the 40, although he might get claimed and the Cubs know that and so the Cubs would probably prefer not to take that chance. 

Also, if David Bote is added back to 40 (and MLB 26-man roster) on Opening Day, I believe he would remain in Chcago only until Seiya Suzuki is reinstated from the 10-day IL, and then the Cubs will put Bote on waivers (just like they they did during the off-season) and hope that another club will claim his $3M AAV contract. If he doesn't get claimed, he will be outrighted and the Cubs will hope that Bote wil elect free-agency and forfeit the balance of his contract, except of course he won't do that. 

[ ]

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Mon, 03/20/2023 - 03:44 am

DJL: David Bote stlll has an option year left, so he can be optioned to the minors if he is added to the 40. 

However... 

Once Bote accrues 89 more days of MLB Service Time he will hit 5+000 MLB ST and become an Article XIX-A player, at which point he cannot be sent to the minors (optioned or outrighted) without his consent. 

So if Bote were to be added to the 40 on MLB Opening Day (3/30), the Cubs would have until June 25th to option or outright him to the minors. 

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 03:37 pm

suzuki scheduled to take swings in the cage on sunday (flips, not live pitching).  looks like he's progressing well enough to take some harder swings.  be nice to get him back before mid-april...

Submitted by crunch on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 03:08 pm

fulmer is yet to work back-to-back games, but he's getting work early enough in games (before the B-teamers come in) to say he's most likely the 2023 closer going into the year.

Recent comments

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Teheran minor league deal is done, per MLB.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Based on Phil’s sound analysis it sounds like a no brainer for Almonte to be placed on waivers as today’s roster move. We shall see.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I suspect Counsell/Hottovy will use the piggy-back extensively, with Taillon and Hendricks pitching as the "pig" (and with a very short leash) and some combo of Wicks, Brown, and Wesneski (whichever two do not start) as the "backers."  

    Keep in mind that Keegan Thompson has a minor league option available, and if Yency Almonte is not outrighted by 4/26 he cannot be sent to the minors without his consent after that date. Almonte is out of minor league options, so I am talking about him getting outrighted to the minors if he is not claimed off waivers, and if he is claimed off waivers, the Cubs save the pro-rated portion of his $1.9M salary, which helps lower the Cubs 2024 AAV.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Totally agree. The 26 man roster very rarely consists of the 13 best position players and 13 best pitchers.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Based on what Jed has done in the past, I’d say the plan is to

    -give Hendricks another few starts
    -give Taillon some runway ot get his season underway

    -Mix and match in the bullpen and see what sticks

    Jed usually doesn’t do a whole lot of waiver wire plays in-season, at least early in the season. He only reallly did that after he blew up the rosters in 21 and 22 because they needed bodies (guys like Schwindel, Fargas, etc).

    I think he’s a little handcuffed by a full 40 man in that he can’t really maneuver much with giving anyone showing ability at AAA (R Thompson/ Sanders/ Edwards etc). Brewer has the most tenuous grip there, and we will see what kind of chance he gets. Other than his spot, there isn’t a ton of 40 man wiggle room.

    I’m very curious to see what happens with Brown now that Taillon returns. Bullpen? Wicks to Iowa? 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Pro teams have to play their "big money" guys if they are healthy and not "locker room" issues.
    The Cubs wanted to deal JHey off well before they bought him out. They just didn't want to pay him to play for someone else for that long. Jed did give him 20+mil to play for LAD last yr.
    Jed might also let Kyle walk at some point this year. Similar scenario to JHey, except Jed thought Kyle was going to be good/solid in '24!!
    You'd think Smyly is in the same book as well. Same with Neris (he's a 1yr vet RP, so he's not really in this convo too much).
    That's ~35mil between those three and those three are going to get opportunities until at least late June) over younger guys even if their performance is "iffy".
    But, Jed is going to play Taillon a lot. They have to try and justify that contract and hope a veteran works out.
    So, Taillon, Imanaga, and Hendricks are locks for the rest of April and probably May.
    Assad, Brown and Wicks handle the last spots until Steele is ready.
    Now, you're question has real merit when Steele comes back. That will interesting if Brown is still good and Hendricks is still bad. But Taillon is entirely safe as long as he's healthy.

    And the bullpen moves were "money" based as well. Smyly has actually been okay. But he hasn't been clearly better than Little. Little had one bad outing. But Smyly makes 9mil. If they needed another RHRP and one of Little and Smyly had to go, it was going to Little. But that doesn't mean Smyly is one of the best 13 arms for the team. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Childersb3: I think there was an issue with Luke Little coming into a game with men on base. He seems to need a "clean" inning to be dominant. So he is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AAA. Same goes for Michael Arias. He needs to come into a "clean" inning, and is a future closer and needs to be used in that role at AA. Porter Hodge is a more versatile pitcher, a better version of Keegan Thompson (multi-inning RP). But Little, Arias, and Hodge (probably in that order) are the Cubs top three RP prospects (all three are Cubs Top 15 prospects).

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    So, let’s do a little war gaming. Taillon is back for tonight’s game. He pitched two rehab games, just a few innings each, and not especially sharp. Let’s face it, he hasn’t been lights out since the Cubs gave him the big contract. In other words, as flat out bad as Hendricks has been, the chances of Taillon being the savior don’t look exactly promising.

    If Taillon is equally ineffective or perhaps even worse, what’s the next move? Winning teams can often find a way to work around a dud fifth starter - kinda. Two dud starters make things much more difficult.

    I believe the biggest reason for the recent bullpen moves was dissatisfaction with the recent blowing of big leads and the recognition that the bullpen wasn’t all it was thought to be. In other words, they are exploring alternate options and configurations. If similar juggling becomes necessary (even more so than it already is), what kind of reasonable maneuvering do we think could be explored?

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubdom needs to prepare themselves for Wicks to be sent to Iowa for Taillon to come up.
    Ben Brown has 4 appearances. Wicks has 4 appearances.
    Ben has 16.1 IP.  Wicks has 17 IP
    Ben was a 1.1 WHIP.  Wicks has a 1.7 WHIP. Wicks does have significantly more SOs. 
    Ben has been better, though.
    I love Wicks. I think he's a fighter and his stuff has improved.
    But, Jed isn't ditching Hendricks just yet. He should. But he won't.
    Hendricks should go to the IL and Taillon-Imanaga-Assad-Wicks-Brown should be the rotation.
    Wont' happen though.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    AZ Phil,
    Did you agree with the demotion of Luke Little? He'd been pretty good up until the AZ/wild pitch appearance. I know that can't jettison Smyly (just yet) so they didn't need another LHRP. Especially with Leiter effectively being a LHRP. I still thought he deserved to stay. It's not permanent. He'll be back. Lots of moves to come with Taillon, Steele and other guys coming and going.

    Also, do you see Hodge being able to "control/command" his stuff to get a chance this year?
    Is Arias better than Hodge?   Thanks

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