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 

 



 

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Dempster Wins, Theriot Continues to Embarrass Bigger, Stronger Teammates

With Aramis Ramirez back in the starting lineup, the Cubs won their fourth in a row, defeating the Giants, 4-2, on Monday night at Wrigley. The Cubs will have a chance to finish a 5-1 homestand when the teams meet Tuesday afternoon.

Why the Cubs won: Ryan Dempster, coming off his first loss and poorest start of the young season last week in Phoenix, earned his second victory with his best start of 2009. Dempster kept the Giants off the board until the sixth inning and allowed just 5 hits and 2 walks over seven.

Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg preserved the lead over the final two innings. Marmol looked great, fanning two and allowing just an infield single in his inning of work. (I imagine that Edgar Renteria will be seeing those three, nasty sliders in his sleep.)

On offense, once again, the big blow came from little Ryan Theriot, who cracked his third home run in four games. Theriot's two-run shot in the second inning gave the Cubs a 3-0 lead. The homer was fortuitous, considering that the Cubs blew a couple chances to break the game open, including a bases-loaded, none-out situation in the fifth inning, which yielded just one run.

Ramirez, by the way, went 0-for-3 plus a walk in his return.

On the move: Iowa infielder Bobby Scales, who would have replaced Ramirez on the roster if Rammy had been disabled last week, was summoned before the game to take the place of injured Carlos Zambrano. According to Cubs.com, the team will call up righthander Randy Wells to take Zambrano's next scheduled turn in the rotation, on Friday at Milwaukee. 

 

 

Comments

So if Scales shows ANYTHING between now and Friday, there is a chance that when Wells gets called up, Gathright gets cut. Right?? Hendry has already shown he's willing to eat millions to dump dead wood, so eating the million bucks he dumbly guaranteed to Gathright should be no problem now.

While you wonder about Gath (and rightly so), I wonder WTF with Bradley?! HAs he just forgotten how to hit? Pressing beyond belief? Just bad? It seems as if he is just freaked out, and doesn't know what hit him. If he ever gets on a roll - we'll have something really special. AZ PHIL is spot on: "...trade him."

"...Cubs will most likely call up righthander Randy Wells." Again, if you read my post last thread, Jim Hendry during the game stated, "Randy will be starting in Milwaukee Friday night..." so, unless it is a fake-out, or he gets hurt between now and then, I'd think the GM would be pretty accurate on the personnel move.

but made the play of the night tonight... Dbacks turn a triple play tonight versus Dodgers. 1st/2nd running when Casey Blake lines one to short.

ERA at 7.20 at the moment...did look the LF'er took a terrible route to let the game tying single drop. Indians still won though.

So, what was the net "savings" with trading Marquis for nothing? Will Marshall be the 2009 tough luck guy? Will Marquis continue his success in the 2nd half? Could not have had expected any more from a #5 starter. But in Colorado he is a 3.

[ ]

In reply to by The E-Man

Submitted by Ryno on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 9:19pm. I'll bet 5 virtual bucks Jason Marquis wins more games than Sean Marshall this year. Any takers? Submitted by The Joe on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 9:42pm. You're on! Submitted by Andrew on Wed, 03/25/2009 - 2:07am. It's not really fair odds as Marquis is probably the Rockies' 3rd starter and Marshall's a clear 5th. Still, I'll take that action as well. Submitted by Doug Dascenzo on Wed, 03/25/2009 - 9:48am. Sure, but by virtue of playing on a (hopefully) better team, Marshall ought to get more wins. Kind of like how Dice-K won a shitload of games last year while only throwing 5 1/3 innings per game. Too early to collect? =) Look, the thing is Marshall is so inconsistent. Way more inconsistent than Marquis. He'll probably get a little better with a couple years under his belt, but as things stand now Marquis is the better pitcher. Marquis for all his flaws is a workhorse and at a place like Coors Field where sinkerballers are like gold, he'll do pretty well. In the grand scheme of things, though, I don't think it matters if the Cubs have Marquis OR Marshall as their 5th starter.

[ ]

In reply to by Ryno

Seriously... are you really talking trash after 5 Marquis starts, and 3 Marshall starts? Especially when they guy you are supporting is notorious for hot starts, and then huge crashes? As for Marshall being inconsistent, this is just odd. Marshall has three starts this year, and has given up 3, 3, and 1 run(s). Last year, in his 7 starts, he gave up 4 or more runs just twice - once in his first start. Marquis gave up 4 runs or more in 10 of his 28 starts. How is Marshall more inconsistent? As a starter last year, Marshall averaged 5.5 innings/start, with a 4.15 ERA, even though he was moved in and out of the rotation. Marquis averaged 5.9 innings/start, with a 4.43 ERA, and he knew exactly when he would be starting and didn't have to deal with getting moved around. Where are you getting this idea that Marshall is less consistent than Marquis?

I think Wells is the right way to go to replace Z's spot. With off days the next two Mondays we might be able to pass Z's spot until he gets back if it is only 2 weeks or so. Theriot is a behemoth, Sammy Sosa reincarnated...:) But it is nice to see someone step up and carry the team when all their big bats are struggling or hurt. Cubs will be facing Lincecum today. A win today + everyone getting healthy (minus Z of course) = a real winning run? Hopefully!! Go Cubs!

Anyone pay attention to how the bill on Ankiel's hat crumpled? I enjoyed Reed Johnson's highlight catch last year in Toronto when his bill flipped up and he ran off the field with it up. Nearly a scrappy guy fashion statement. The crumpled bill look as a fashion statement? Hmmm.

Submitted by jacos on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 6:38am.
Can Scales play outfield at all?

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

JACOS: Yes and no.

Bobby Scales is the proverbial "Jack of all trades, Master of none." He's one of those "Crash Davis" type players whose primary value is as a mentor to younger players moving up through the system, but he also has a good knowledge of the game and could very well become a coach or a manager when he retires.

Scales figured out a few years ago that he needed to be able to play multiple positions if he was ever going to get a chance to play in the big leagues, so he has indeed attempted to learn every position except pitcher and catcher. Unfortunately, he is a defensive liability no matter where he plays. His best position is 2B (his natural position), but he's below average there, too.

I saw Scales when he was a young player in the Padres system a few years ago, and back then he was an offensive-first athletic second-baseman with plus speed and some pop. He has lost a step or two since then, however, but he still is a pretty good hitter with some XBH power. He could be a guy who might excel as a PH.

Barring an injury to an infielder, Scales will almost certainly head back to Iowa after Thursday's game, but at least he'll pick up a quick $9,000 (four days of MLB minimum salary pay) and a few days of MLB Service Time before he goes back to AAA. And now rhat he is on the 40-man roster, the Cubs would probably be more-inclined to bring him back up again if they need an extra position player sometime during the season, and as long as he has a decent year at Iowa, he should get recalled on September 1st.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 9:34am. If it was the 6th game of the year I may agree with you, but the problem is that Heilman hasn't thrown 30 pitches in a game since April 7th and Wells has been starting all year (though he got a short start last time due to rain I think).

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

REAL NEAL: Esmailin Caridad's start on Sunday at Memphis was limited to three innings (and 45 pitches) before the game was suspended due to rain.

As for Randy Wells, he was intentionally limited to three innings & 39 pitches in his start last night for Iowa, because he will be pitching Friday on three days rest. The Cubs could have skipped his scheduled start last night completely, but then he would be starting on ten days rest on Friday, and Wells is a sinkerball pitcher who would probably be adversely affected by too much rest.

Submitted by jacos on Tue, 05/05/2009 - 10:13am. Thanks Phil. Why not make him Dero lite and get rid of pretend MLBer Gatwright?

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

JACOS: I think Gathright will probably eventually be replaced on the 25-man roster later this season by a more-versatile player (IF-OF), but I doubt that it would be Bobby Scales.

If the Cubs look inside their own organization, a more likely candidate to replace Gathright would be Matt Camp, a versatile and athletic player who can play 2B-CF-LF-3B-SS (although like Scales, he is below-average defensively no matter where he plays). But Camp would definitely be a better PR option than Scales (who has lost a step or two over the years) and probably would be even a better PR option than Gathright, because while Gathright is one of the fastest players in baseball, he is not especially good at stealing bases or baserunning. Camp isn't much of a hitter (but then neither is Gathright), but Camp is a good baserunner and base-stealer, and he can bunt, too, and he can play infield, which Gathright can't.  

Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    18-year old SS Jefferson Rojas almost made the AA Tennessee Opening Day roster, and he is a legit shortstop, so I would expect him to be an MLB Top 100 prospect by mid-season. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Among the relievers in the system, I expect RHRP Hunter Bigge at AAA Iowa and RHRP Ty Johnson at South Bend to have breakout seasons on 2024, and among the starters I see LHP Drew Gray and RHP Will Sanders at South Bend and RHP Naz Mule at ACL Cubs as the guys who will make the biggest splash. Also, Jaxon Wiggins is throwing bullpen sides, so once he is ready for game action he could be making an impact at Myrtle Beach by June.

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    I expect OF Christian Franklin to have a breakout season at AA Tennessee in 2024. In another organization that doesn't have PCA, Caissie, K. Alcantara, and Canario in their system, C. Franklin would be a Top 10 prospect. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    The Reds trading Joe Boyle for Sam Moll at last year's MLB Trade Deadline was like the Phillies trading Ben Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson at the MLB TD in 2022. 

  • 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.