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, 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 4-18-2024

* 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
Jameson Taillon
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

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

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman

OPTIONED: 12
Kevin Alcantara, OF
Michael Arias, P
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF
Jose Cuas, P
Brennen Davis, OF
Porter Hodge, P
* Luke Little, P
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B
Daniel Palencia, P
Luis Vazquez, INF
Hayden Wesneski, P

10-DAY IL: 1
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL:
* Justin Steele, P

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

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft
Minor League Free-Agents

Marshall Works Into 5th As Cubs Drop Mariners

Sam Fuld and Andres Blanco slammed home runs and Sean Marshall took a shutout into the 5th inning, as a Cubs "split squad" drubbed a Seattle Mariners "split squad" 8-1 in front of 10,910 happy fans at sunny Dwight Patterson Field at HoHoKam Park this afternoon in Mesa

box score

The Cubs got off to a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st inning versus Mariners RHP Gaby Hernandez. Sam Fuld (who was on base three times today) walked with one out and stole second, and then after Derrek Lee lined out to LF, Aramis Ramirez walked. Mike Fontenot then rapped a single through the middle of the infield to score Fuld from second base and send Ramirez to third, and then A-Ram scored on a two-out wild pitch.

Sam Fuld homered over the RF fence into the Cubs bullpen leading off the bottom of the third to make it 3-0, and then Andres Blanco virtually duplicated Fuld's poke, sending another solo dinger into the Cubs bullpen with two outs in the bottom of the 4th. (Both home runs were hit off Gaby Hernandez).

Sean Marshall got the start for the Cubs and worked into the 5th, allowing one unearned run on three hits and a walk, along with three strikeouts in 4.1 IP (56 pitches - 38 strikes, 5/4 GO/FO).

Marshall had little trouble with the Mariners through the first four inning, retiring ten of the first twelve men he faced.

With the Cubs leading 4-0, Marshall started the 5th, allowing a lead-off single to Prentice Redman. The next batter tried to bunt and lined the ball right at Marshall, who made a nice play coming off the mound to nab the ball. But then the lefty tried to do too much, as he wheeled blindly toward first and whipped the ball right at the bag to try and double Redman off. Unfortunately, second-baseman Mike Fontenot hadn't gotten there yet, so the ball bounced past first-base and into the stands, as the runner was awarded third base on the overthrow.

That was it for Marshall, as RHP Luis Vizcaino (who had been warming up in the bullpen since the start of the inning) came into the game, with a runner at third and only one out. The next batter (Oswaldo Navarro) hit a sharp bouncer back at Vizcaino, but the ball bounced off the pitcher's glove for an RBI infield hit, as Redman scored from third. Vizcaino then retired the next two hitters on a F-7 and an infield pop up to end the inning (17 pitches - 10 strikes).

Mike Stanton worked a quick 6th (10 pitches - seven strikes), and while he did not allow a run, he didn't fool anybody, either, allowing two hard hit singles to the outfield (one by a left-handed hitter) to go along with two ground outs and an F-7.

The Cubs posted another single run in the bottom of the 6th off Mariners reliever Mark Lowe, as James Adduci (up from Minor League Camp for the day) drew a lead-off walk, and advanced to second and third on consecutive wild pitches. Then Mike Fontenot walked, before Reed Johnson chopped a single over the third-baseman's head to drive in Adduci with the Cubs 5th run.

Kevin Hart pitched the 7th for the Cubs, and had his best outing of the Spring, striking out the side on 17 pitches (14 strikes).

LHP Jason Waddell worked the 8th, and had mixed results (17 pitches - 11 strikes), allowing two singles to the outfield (one of which was a rope to RF by lefty-swinging Russell Branyan), but also striking out a right-handed hitter for the first out of the inning and then getting out of trouble with an inning-ending 5-3 DP.

The Cubs put the game away in the bottom of the 8th, scoring three runs off Mariners reliever Tyler Walker. James Adduci and Nate Spears (another invitee from Minor League Camp) led off with infield singles (and Adduci showed good speed down the line while beating the throw on his dribbler), and Jason Dubois was hit by a pitch on the upper left arm to load the bases with no outs. Koyie Hill then smoked a line single to RF that was hit too hard to score more than one run, and after Darwin Barney and Esteban German struck out, Richie Robnett (who had been optioned to Iowa earlier in the day) hit a fly ball into short LF where the Seattle left-fielder and shortstop collided (nobody was hurt and no error was charged, though), allowing the ball to drop for a cheap double and giving the Cubs their final two runs of the day. .

Jose Ascanio continued his fine Spring, throwing a 1-2-3 9th (6-3 GO, F-7, and strikeout swinging) to finish off the game, but he actually got four outs in the inning, because Koyie Hill failed to catch a foul pop up behind home plate (although no error was charged).

Veteran IF-OF Esteban German (signed to a minor league contract this morning after getting released by Kansas City last week) made his Cubs debut today, entering in mid-game at 3rd base. He had two poor ABs, popping up weakly, and then striking out (flailing wildly at strike three on an outside pitch in the dirt) with one out and the bases loaded in his second PA. He also didn't make much of an effort to stop a bouncer hit to his left that ended up in LF. All in all, it was not an impressive debut for German.

While the Cubs were thumping the Mariners in Mesa, the other Cubs squad traveled to Tempe Diablo Stadium and lost to the Angels, 8-2

box score

I was not at that game, but I can tell you that Cubs starter Chad Gaudin apparently got racked up pretty good, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks in just 1.2 IP, including a 2nd inning grand slam by Kendry Morales.

The Cubs got their two runs on a two-out two-run 4th inning RBI double by Bobby Scales, although Scales (playing 2B before later moving to 3B) also made two errors in the game.

I suspect the Cubs may try to trade Gaudin and his $2M 2009 salary before Opening Day, but they also could just release him (presuming he is signed to a non-guaranteed contract).

Comments

Recent comments

TarzanJoeWallis 04/19/2024 - 04:06 pm (view)

Totally onboard with your thoughts concerning today’s lineup. Not sure about your take on Tauchman though.
The guy typically doesn’t pound the ball out out of the park, and his BA is quite unimpressive. But he brings something unique to the table that the undisciplined batters of the past didn’t. He always provides a quality at bat and he makes the opposing pitcher work because he has a great eye for the zone and protects the plate with two strikes exceptionally well. In addition to making him a base runner more often than it seems through his walks, that kind of at bat wears a pitcher down both mentally and physically so that the other guys who may hit the ball harder are more apt to take advantage of subsequent mistakes and do their damage.
I can’t remember a time when the Cubs valued this kind of contribution but this year they have a couple of guys doing it, with Happ being the other. It doesn’t make for gaudy stats but it definitely contributes to winning ball games. I do believe that’s why Tauchman has garnered so much playing time.
Arizona Phil 04/19/2024 - 04:43 pm (view)

Miles Mastrobuoni cannot be recalled until he has spent at least ten days on optional assignment, unless he is recalled to replace a position player who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, Bereavement / Family Medical).

And for a pitcher it's 15 days on optional assignment before he can be recalled, unless he is replacing a pitcher who is placed on an MLB inactive list (IL, Paternity, or Bereavement / Family Medical).

And a pitcher (or a position player, but almost always it's a pitcher) can be recalled as the 27th man for a doubleheader regardless of how many days he has been on optional assignment, but then he must be sent back down again the next day.

That's why the Cubs had to wait as long as they did to send Jose Cuas down and recall Keegan Thompson. Thompson needed to spend the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he could be recalled (and he spent EXACTLY the first 15 days of the MLB regular season on optional assignment before he was recalled).
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/19/2024 - 04:51 am (view)

Indeed they do TJW!
For the record I’m not in favor of solely building a team through paying big to free agents. But I’m also of the mind that when you develop really good players, get them signed to extensions that buy out a couple years of free agency, including with team options. And supplement the home grown players with free agent splashes or using excess prospects to trade for stars under team control for a few years. Sort of what Atlanta does, basically. Everyone talks about the dodgers but I feel that Atlanta is the peak organization at the current moment.
That said, the constant roster churn is very Rays- ish. What they do is incredible, but it’s extremely hard to do which is why they’re the only ones frequently successful that employ that strategy. I definitely do not want to see a large market team like ours follow that model closely. But I don’t think free agent frenzies is always the answer. It’s really only the Dodgers that play in that realm. I could see an argument for the Mets too. The Yankees don’t really operate like that anymore since the elder Steinbrenner passed. Though I would say the reigning champions built a good deal of that team through free agent spending.
Childersb3 04/19/2024 - 04:45 am (view)

The issue is the Cubs are 11-7 and have been on the road for 12 of those 18. We should be at least 13-5, maybe 14-4. Jed isn't feeling any pressure to play anyone he doesn't see fit.
But Canario on the bench, Morel not at 3B for Madrigal and Wisdom in RF wasn't what I thought would happen in this series.
I was hoping for Morel at 3B, Canario in RF, Wisdom at DH and Madrigal as a pinch hitter or late replacement.
Maybe Madrigal starts 1 game against the three LHSP for Miami.
I'm thinking Canario goes back to Iowa on Sunday night for Mastrobuoni after the Miami LHers are gone.
Canario needs ABs in Iowa and not bench time in MLB.
With Seiya out for a while Wisdom is safe unless his SOs are just overwhelmingly bad.

My real issue with the lineup isn't Madrigal. I'm not a fan, but I've given up on that one.
It's Tauchman getting a large number of ABs as the de factor DH and everyday player.
I didn't realize that was going to be the case.
We need a better LH DH. PCA or ONKC need to force the issue in about a month.
But, even if they do so, Jed doesn't have to change anything if the Cubs stay a few over .500!!!
TarzanJoeWallis 04/19/2024 - 04:21 am (view)

Totally depends on the team and the player involved. If your team’s philosophy is to pay huge dollars to bet on the future performance of past stars in order to win championships then, yes, all of the factors you mentioned are important.
If on the other hand, if the team’s primary focus is to identify and develop future stars in an effort to win a championship, and you’re a young player looking to establish yourself as a star, that’s a fit too. Otherwise your buried within your own organization.
Your comment about bringing up Canario for the purposes of sitting him illustrates perfectly the dangers of rewarding a non-performing, highly paid player over a hungry young prospect, like Canario, who is perpetually without a roster spot except as an insurance call up, but too good to trade. Totally disincentivizing the performance of the prospect and likely diminishing it.

Sticking it to your prospects and providing lousy baseball to your fans, the consumers and source of revenue for your sport, solely so that the next free agent gamble finds your team to be a comfortable landing spot even if he sucks? I suppose that makes sense to some teams but it’s definitely not the way I want to see my team run.
Once again, DJL, our differences in philosophy emerge!
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/19/2024 - 04:57 am (view)

That’s just kinda how it works though, for every team. No team plays their best guys all the time. No team is comprising of their best 26 even removing injuries.
When baseball became a business, like REALLY a business, it became important to keep some of the vets happy, which in turn keeps agents happy and keeps the team with a good reputation among players and agents. No one wants to play for a team that has a bad reputation in the same way no one wants to work for a company that has a bad rep.
Don’t get me wrong, I hate it too. But there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
On that topic, I find it silly the Cubs brought up Canario to sit as much as he has. He’s going to get Velazquez’d, and it’s a shame.
TarzanJoeWallis 04/19/2024 - 04:46 am (view)

Of course, McKinstry runs circles around $25 million man Javier Baez on that Tigers team. Guess who gets more playing time?
But I digress…
Sonicwind75 04/19/2024 - 04:00 am (view)

Seems like Jed was trying to corner the market on mediocre infielders with last names starting with "M" in acquiring Madrigal, Mastroboney and Zach McKinstry.

At least he hasn't given any of them a Bote-esque extension.
Childersb3 04/19/2024 - 04:42 am (view)

AZ Phil:
Rookie ball (ACL) starts on May 4th. Do yo think Ramon and Rosario (maybe Delgado) stay in Mesa for the month of May, then go to MB if all goes "solid"?
crunch 04/18/2024 - 04:08 pm (view)

masterboney is a luxury on a team that has multiple, capable options for 2nd, SS, and 3rd without him around. i don't hate the guy, but if madrigal is sticking around then masterboney is expendable.