Cubs MLB Roster

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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

Lieber and Eyre Rehabbin' at Fitch

Jon Lieber and Scott Eyre threw in rehab outings with the AZL Cubs at Fitch Park Field #3 this morning, as Larry Rothschild, Lester Strode, and Carlos Zambrano (who was visiting buddy Angel Guzman) watched from the bench, and a gaggle of Cubs brass watched from the observation tower.

And the AZL Cubs took advantage of having a couple of big leaguers throw shutout ball for the first four innings of the game, as they whitewashed the AZL Mariners 7-0.   

box score  

Lieber got the start and threw three innings, and it was typical Lieber (33 pitches - 24 strikes, no runs on four hits, no walks, one strikeout, one GIDP, 5/2 GO/FO).

Then Eyre threw one inning (14 pitches - 8 strikes, no runs, no hits, one walk, no strikeouts, and one GIDP), although he did throw an additional 10 or 15 pitches in the bullpen after his one inning of work, possibly to tinker with his slider (otherwise he just could have thrown a second inning).

Neither Lieber (on the DL with a sore foot) nor Eyre (on the DL with a strained groin) showed any outward physical indication of injury, and both appear about ready to return to full-activity and game action.

Lieber looked like Lieber ("pitching to contact" on every hitter), but Eyre was a bit spotty with his control and had trouble commanding his slider, although he did throw with decent velocity. I would think Eyre would benefit from one or two outings at AAA, perhaps with the Iowa Cubs while they are in Tucson (they'll be there starting tonight through Friday night).

There was no sign of Alfonso Soriano at Fitch Park today, meaning he'll either go on a one or two game rehab with the Iowa Cubs in Tucson starting tonight, or I guess it's possible that he could be reactivated for tonight's Cubs-Diamondbacks game at Chase Field (or probably more-likely tomorrow night's game, when lefty Doug Davis gets the start for the D'backs)..

Soriano put on quite a power display in pre-game BP before last night's Cubs-D'backs at Chase Field, attacking the ball with relish, hitting line-drive ropes and towering long flies all over the yard. But his timing looked to be slightly off when he was the DH for the AZL Cubs at Peoria yesterday morning, so he might benefit from a few more minor league ABs at AAA game-speed before he faces an MLB pitcher throwing in anger.   

Today's game marked the professional debut of the Cubs 2008 21st round draft pick, 17-year old SS Logan Watkins (Goddard HS - Goddard, KS), and their 37th round pick, 21-year old RHP Erik Hamren.

The left-handed hitting Watkins PH in the bottom of the 8th inning, and proceeded to slam a single into RF. The kid was a star baseball and football player in HS, and and had already accepted a full-ride scholarship to Wichita State when the Cubs drafted him last month. But he somewhat unexpectedly gave up his chance to attend WSU when the Cubs threw "3rd round money" at him (a reported $500K plus another $100K in college tuition).

As for Hamren, he had transferred to Saddleback CC for his sophormore year, after attending the University of the Pacific as a freshman. He was going to enroll at UC - Irvine for his junior year (2008-09 school year), before deciding to sign with the Cubs.

Hamren hasn't pitched much over the last couple of years, so the Cubs did not make an offer until they had a chance to follow his progress with Mankato in the Northwoods League (a summer "wood bat" college league), where he was the MoonDogs closer. I guess the Cubs liked what they saw. And he looked pretty good today at Fitch Park, too, throwing a shutout inning (with one hit allowed and one K) in his pro debut.

The Cubs have now signed 32 of their first 38 picks from this year's Rule 4 Draft, including 26 of their first 27. The "Big Fish" unsigned pick still out there is 10th rounder RHP Alex Wilson (Texas A&M). Wilson had Tommy Johnn surgery after injuring his elbow while pitching in the Cape Cod League (the premiere "wood bat" collegiate summer league) in the Summer of 2007, and he missed the entire 2008 college baseball season. But he is currently back pitching with Falmouth (the same place he was last year when he got hurt), and it's possible that the Cubs will offer him 1st or 2nd round money (that's what it will probably take to sign him) if they feel he's back 100% from the TJS. 

Although the Cubs drafted him out of Texas A&M, Wilson last pitched at Winthrop, where he was (pre-TJS) a very highly-regarded prospect, projected as a possible 1st or 2nd round pick. 

What the Cubs did with Erik Hamren and are now presently doing with Alex Wilson (and a few other draft picks from the lower rounds)  is the new version of "Drafdt & Follow." It used to be that clubs could draft a player in June (especially JC players, or HS players who were going to go to a JC) , and then be able to sign him all the way up until a week before the next year's draft. Such players signed just before the deadline the following year were known as "DNFs" (or Draft & Follows"). Now the "DNF" period lasts only two months, until the new August 15th signing deadline. So following unsigned draft picks while they play in summer collegiate leagues or with post-HS traveling all-star teams has become very important.

BTW, Carlos Zambrano drove one of the Fitch Park golf carts around the place like it was a go-cart. It's lucky he didn't kill somebody (like maybe himself).

And RHP Dae-Eun Rhee has arrived at Fitch Park to begin his long rehab from Tommy John Surgery. So far he's wearing one of those custom TJS splints on his elbow, and a khaki-colored "We're Broke" t-shirt (with the picture of a bear with it's leg in a sling on the back) that the rehab guys receive when they arrive. (I'd like to get me one of those).

Comments

Great to hear from you again Az. Always look forward to your reports. I was wondering if you had thoughts about the cubs farm system now that they traded a few of their top guys to Oakland. Hopefully some of the "new guys" from the 08 draft can step up and fill in the gaps left by Donaldson, E-patt and gallagher. Any thoughts on Smardzija's improvements, Ceda's change to the bullpen and Vitters rejuvination at the plate would be appreciated.

Carlos Zambrano sprung for tickets to tonight's Cubs-Diamondbacks game for the AZL Cubs.That's great letting these players get out of Mesa for an evening of inspiration !

.Top Draft Pick Performances to Date: > > a.. Josh Harrison (6th round)-hitting .356 for Boise with a .455 OBP and 11 stolen bases. > b.. Jay Jackson (9th round)-2.38 ERA, 1-0 record, 16 K's in 11 and 1/3 innings since being promoted to Peoria. > c.. Dan McDaniel (14th round)-No earned runs in 9 and 1/3 innings pitched, WHIP of 0.86, 16 K's at Boise. > d.. Ryan Keedy (16th round)-hitting .304 for Boise with a .419 OBP. 18 RBI's in 32 games. > e.. Jericho Jones (20th round)-hitting .448 with 4 HR's and 17 RBI's in 15 games for the Arizona Cubs. His OPS is 1.293. > f.. Rebel Ridling (25th round)-hitting .333 between Boise and Peoria, with 6 HR's and 32 RBI's in 30 games. > g.. Sean Hoorelbeke (33rd round)-hitting .390 with 17 RBI's and 17 runs in 17 games for the Arizona Cubs. COOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Submitted by Hook on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 2:57am. Noticed that Billy Petrick is now listed as suspended. Any idea what happened?

================================

HOOK: I'm not exactly sure, but I can tell you that when a player is placed on his club's "Suspended List," it means he either refused to see a club doctor for a physical examination, or refused to engage in required rehab work, or refused to take the field when so ordered, or otherwise was patently insubordinate. 

If the player is on a 40-man roster at the time he is placed on the Suspended List (as is the case with Petrick), he does continue to count against his club's 40-man roster. So when a player on a 40-man roster is placed on the Suspended List, he usally doesn't stay there for long. Either the problem is "resolved," or the player gets traded, released, or outrighted to the minors     

The MLB "Suspended List" is a completely different list, and it is used for players who are suspended for violation of the prohibited substance ban, or as the result of an on-field incident (usually a fight). A player on a 25-man roster who is placed on the MLB Suspended List for any reason OTHER THAN a violation of the ban on prohibited substances cannot be replaced on his club's 25-man roster by another player and must remain on his club's active roster throughout the length of the suspension.

When a player on a 40-man roster is suspended by MLB for violation of the ban on prohibited substances, the player can be placed on his club's "Restricted List," which basically means the player has taken a club-approved Leave of Absence, usually without pay.

Players on the Restricted List do not count against the club's 40-man roster. A player can also be placed on the Restricted List when the player is attending school, or needs to attend to a pressing legal matter or family situation (not related to death or illness) during the season, as well as when a player fails to return a signed contract for the following season, or fails to report for Spring Training by the mandatory reporting date or to a minor league assignment within the required period.  

If a player leaves his club during the season because of a death in the family or family illness, the player can be placed on his club's Bereavement List for a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven days. A player on the Bereavement List continues to get paid but does not count against his club's 25-man roster.  

If a player on Bereavement Leave needs more time away beyond seven days (as happened with Cliff Floyd last season), the player can (with club approval) be transferred from the Bereavement List to the Restricted List, but then the club has the option to not pay the player for the period of time the player spends on the Restricted List.

Thanks for the fine response to my question about Petrick. I've tried Googling, but have been unable to fine out any specific reason for his placement on the suspended list. Hopefully any insubordination can be mutually resolved and he can remain with the organization.

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.