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

Long Balls & Stolen Bases Lead Cubs to Victory over Brew Crew

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Reggie Golden and Marco Hernandez ripped home runs and the EXST Cubs stole five bases en route to a 7-4 victory over the EXST Brewers in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action at Paul Molitor Field at the Maryvale Baseball Complex in Phoenix this morning.

Doug Davis (2010 elbow surgery rehab) got the start for the Cubs and threw four innings (62 pitches – 44 strikes), allowing one run on four hits (a triple, two doubles, and a single) and a walk, with five strikeouts (four swinging) and one WP (and a nifty pick-off, too). Davis mixed a slow fastball with a slower curve and a really slow change-up to generally keep the young Brewers hitters off-stride, although when they hit the ball, it was hit with authority. Besides the four hits (three XBH) allowed by Davis, the veteran soft-tossing lefty’s day also featured three “loud” hard-hit line drive outs (one of which required an inning-ending run-saving spectacular diving catch by LF Jose Valdez).

Angel Guzman threw an 11-pitch 1-2-3 5th inning (6-3, P-5, 2-3) in relief of Davis, as the right-hander continues his rehab from 2010 shoulder surgery.

Mixing a 91 MPH fastball with a slow curve, a change-up, and a wipe-out hard slider, Matt Loosen (Cubs 2010 23rd round draft pick out of U. of Jacksonville) followed-up his eight-strikeout performance (over 2.2 IP) versus the EXST Rockies last week with four more strikeouts in two innings of work (40 pitches) today. The 22-year old 6'2 right-hander did struggle a bit with his control, however, throwing only 53% strikes and walking two.

The Cubs took the lead in the top of the 1st inning, as Marco Hernandez (batting LH) cracked a two-run home run (his second EXST HR) over the RF fence, driving-in Jose Valdez who had reached base on a one-out opposite-field line-drive single to left. Hernandez has some pop when he hits left-handed, but is a "slap hitter" when batting from the right side. (A natural lefty swinger, Hernandez learned to switch-hit at AZ Instructs last fall).

Cubs 2010 #2 draft pick Reggie Golden clubbed a solo HR over the LF fence to lead-off the top of the 2nd, and the Cubs took a 4-0 lead after Dong-Yub Kim drew a walk, was moved up to 2nd base on a Doug Davis sac-bunt, and scored on a Wes Darvill line-drive RBI single to CF.

After the Brewers tied the score at four with a three-spot off RHP Justin Bristow (2010 non-TJS elbow surgery rehab) in the bottom of the 7th, the Cubs came right back in the top of the 8th with three runs of their own. Wes Darvill singled to open the inning, and after PH Vismeldy Bieneme and Kyung-Min Na drew one-out walks to load the bases, speedy Jose Valdez drove-in the go-ahead run with a FC, just barely beating the relay to 1st base on what otherwise could have been an inning-ending (and rally-killing) 6-4-3 DP. Valdez and Vismeldy Bieneme then pulled off a double-steal (with Bieneme scoring and Valdez taking 2nd base, and then Valdez advancing to 3rd base on an overthrow), and Valdez scored when Marco Hernandez reached base on an E-6. 

In EXST Cubs roster news, LHP Casey Harman (2010 29th round draft pick - Clemson) has been promoted to Peoria, and catcher Chad Noble (Cubs 2010 37th round draft pick - Northwestern) has been sent to Extended Spring Taining from Peoria. Harman was the #1 starter (Friday night starter) at Clemson, but the Cubs have worked him exclusively as a lefty reliever going back to his pro debut at AZ Instructs last fall (8.64 ERA – 2.04 WHIP - .359 Opp BA - 8.1 IP, 14 H, 8 R (8 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 WP, 2 PO, 3/7 GO/FO, 7 GAMES at AZ Instructs) and at Minor League Camp and EXST this season (8.31 ERA - 1.61 WHIP - .350 Opp BA - 4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R (4 ER), 0 BB, 10 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 3 GAMES at EXST). He racked-up nine strikeouts over his last two EXST games (three innings). 

Here is today’s abridged box score (Cubs players only):

NOTE: To practice his bunting, Doug Davis took an insert-AB in the top of the 1st, 2nd, and 5th innings, striking out (foul bunt) batting fifth with a runner on 1st base and one out in the 1st inning, laying down a sacrifice bunt batting third with a runner on 1st base and no outs in the 2nd inning, and striking out (bunted through pitch) batting third with a runner at 1st base and one out in the 5th inning.

LINEUP:
X. Doug Davis, P: 0-2 (K, 3-4 SH, K)
1. Kyung-Min Na, CF: 1-3 (K, K, 1B, BB)
2. Jose Valdez, LF: 1-3 (1B, 4-3, 5-3 SH, 6-4 FC, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB)
3. Marco Hernandez, SS: 1-4 (HR, F-7, F-7, E-6, R, 2 RBI)
4. Jesus Morelli, DH-RF: 1-4 (1B, K, 6-3, 6-3, 2 SB)
5. Wilson Contreras, 3B: 1-3 (BB, 1B, K, F-9, 2 CS)
6. Reggie Golden, DH #2: 2-4 (HR, K, 1B, L-9, R, RBI)
7. Dong-Yub Kim, 1B: 1-3 (BB, P-2, 6-4-3 DP, 1B, R)
8. Wes Darvill, 2B: 2-3 (1B, BB, 1B, F-7, R, RBI)
9a. Yaniel Cabezas, C: 1-2 (5-3, 1B)
9b. Johan DeJesus, C: 0-1 (4-3)
10a. Oliver Zapata, RF-DH: 0-2 (K, K)
10b. Vismeldy Bieneme, PH: 0-0 (BB, R, SB)

PITCHERS:
1. Doug Davis: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 5 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 62 pitches (44 strikes), 1/5 GO/FO
2. Angel Guzman: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 B, 0 K, 2/1 GO/FO, 11 pitches (6 strikes)
3. Justin Bristow: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 4 K, 2 BALKS, 36 pitches (23 strikes), 1/0 GO/FO
NOTE: Bristow’s second inning was stopped with two outs when he reached his max pitch limit
4. Matt Loosen: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 40 pitches (21 strikes), 2/0 GO/FO

ERRORS: 3
1. 1B Dong-Yub Kim E3 – fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely
2. CF Kyung-Min Na E8 – fielding error allowed batter to advance an extra base on a single to CF
3. C Johan DeJesus E2 – throwing error (overthrow) on stolen base at 3rd base allowed runner to score

CATCHERS DEFENSE
Johan DeJesus: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)

ATTENDANCE: 7

WEATHER: Sunny & breezy with temperatures in the 80’s

 

Tags
Extended Spring Training
EXST Cubs
Reggie Golden
Marco Hernandez
Doug Davis
Angel Guzman

Comments

Submitted by crunch on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:52 pm

"Davis mixed a slow fastball with a slower curve and a really slow change-up to generally keep the young Brewers hitters off-stride" so...he's in mid-season form. cool. can't wait to see that 86mph fastball in cubbie blue. cheaper than brandon webb at least...

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:23 pm

Barney homered to deep left, Fukudome scored. 60 mph winds out to left tonight?

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:43 pm

Cubs 3, Starlin Castro 3 no wonder Garza is trying to strike out everyone.

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:14 pm

what Soto's OBP is sans obvious pitch arounds when batting 8th?

[ ]

Submitted by Paul Noce on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:46 pm

Most people on this board praised that signing, Pena was going to be this monster who hits 30 or more hr's and drives in a ton of runs. Maybe. But I said it was a shit signing, he couldn't make contact, his avg. has plummeted 3 seasons in a row, a huge warning sign, and to give $10 million to a guy who couldn't hit .200 was insane. I was told that batting average means nothing and I was an idiot. Batting average isn't the most important stat, but it is a warning sign. Guys who lose bat speed start to drop off in average before their power completely disappears. It's happened to every hitter in MLB history. When you see an older guy suddenly still hit hr's but the avg. plummets, the next season is usually a disaster and just about the end. Pena looks like he's reaching the end of his career at this point, not someone who just had a freak bad year. The only bright side from that signing is Pena's still a good defender, it's only a 1 year deal, and perhaps it helps Hendry get fired. FWIW, AZ Phil said Pena's bat was slow as a snail during spring training.

[ ]

Submitted by The Real Neal on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:04 pm

First base defense and corner outfield defense are severely overrated. Or at least I'll say so when it suits my bizzarre arguments. You can go cheap with a defense guy if you have some other boppers in the lineup. Or you could spend big bucks on guys who play good defense and hit, like Pujols, Fielder, Texiera an Gonzalez. Unfortunately our best every day hitters are Aramis and Soriano. So we need every bit of offense we can find. Except for our $800K middle infield are hitting better. But if we had a .158 cleanup hitter all the problems would be solved. Still thing 4/56-4/60 for Dunn is better than the 7-154 that Prince Fielder will be asking for. Yes, if you set aside defense and offense, you're probably right, but by the same token 1/10 for Pena is better than those other options.

[ ]

Submitted by The E-Man on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 04:17 pm

He may be noticing a trend, if he is not calling Pena an official "bust". Spring training stats, where he was re-united with Rudy the Hitting Guru, gave him a line of: AVG G AB R H TB 2B 3B HR RBI .282 15 39 9 11 18 1 0 2 5 .462 slugging 5 RBI. Against AA and AAA pitching. Tied with Matt Camp. So, maybe its no big deal to you right? Its only ST and only $10, 000, 000. And, so far in April, we're talking a line of : .182 .313 .200 .513 Zero HR's (why he was signed) and 5 RBI. RISP? .167 .304 .222 .527 In 18 AB's he has 3 hits from the 5-hole, and a lefty, and his 5 RBI. Clutch? 2 Outs and RISP - a -20 tOPS, with 3 k's and 2 BB's in 6 AB's. Zero. Not a bust maybe yet, as he is pretty terrific with the glove, but one more black hole at the plate. I hope he figures it out. Soon.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:18 pm

Doug Davis, Todd Wellemeyer, Ramon Ortiz, Austin BD, JR Mathis, Robert Coello, Thomas Diamond. Doug Davis - in EXST, safe bet he's not ready Wellemeyer - hasn't pitched yet Ortiz - I am surprised he's not starting today Austin BD - 6.63 ERA at the moment, 5 HR's i 19 IP JR Mathes - seems like the older version of Russell Coello - 9 ERA in AAA at the moment including 5 BB, 2K start his last time Diamond - shelled by a AAA lineup the same day Russell made his first start, 9.92 ERA in the moment I don't how anyone thinks any of those guys would be reasonable bets to do better. As for saving the bullpen, they're not wasting the good pitchers. It's not like Mateo or Grab-Ass should be coming into games that matters. Ninja's been absurdly lucky to this point. The start over the Astros was understandable and the Padres offense is so bad, you hoped to sneak anyone by. I will admit tonight's start is a head scratcher.

Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:21 am

Just heard Len Casper on WSCR. He stated much of the obvious, but one thing was interesting in that Quade may just be leaning towards a straight platoon with Pena until he starts figuring it out at the plate. As I intimate above, $10MM just doesn't buy what it used to!

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:52 pm

Ridling is king of the hill today among Tennesseans. Leads league in average (.436) and OBP (.508), third in SLG (.764), second in OPS (1.272). Second in HRs with 5 (tied with Flaherty and one other). Ridling would have the leader board mostly to himself were it not for Paul Goldschmidt, Mobile (D'backs).

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Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 04:12 am

Submitted by VirginiaPhil on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 4:12pm. If I wanted to defend Ridling--and I would like to see the org produce a legitimate 1B prospect--I would point out that whatever his age, he has only had two full seasons as a pro. His only screw-up, age-wise, was to finish college. Twice he's been named a postseason all-star--i.e., the best 1B in the league. I believe that that sort of peer review provides useful scouting info, which is pretty scanty otherwise. And like you said, AZ Phil has praised his defense. I saw him make a nice scoop in ST, too, but that was a very small data sample. Bottom line: Wilken doesn't draft Jake Foxes! ================================================== VA PHIL: Rebel Ridling is an above-average defensive first-baseman with above-average power. I would describe him as a RH version of Micah Hoffpauir. I had rated Ridling at #16 (as one of the five who "Just Missed the Cut") in my 2010 Top 15 Cubs Prospects (post-2009), and I think that's about where he belongs. The thing about Ridling is that last year he had an appendectomy (with complications) during Minor League Camp and spent a couple of weeks in the hospital, and once he got back on the field at Extended Spring Training he was weakened and out-of-shape, and he never really got totally back to where he had been in 2009 at Peoria and AZ Instructs. I do think Ridling is an MLB prospect, probably behind only B. Jackson, Vitters, W. Castillo, Ha, Flaherty, Lemahieu, Alcantara, Silva, and Szczur among Cub position player prospects.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:03 pm

Top 10 BP Comps Griffey Jr., Helton, Teixeira, Dunn, J. Mayberry, Bagwell., Thome, K. Daniels, F. Thomas, B. Bonds sure wouldn't mind that guy for his age 28-32 seasons even if it means having to bear through the 33-36 years. I'll also add that Fielder seems to care by most accounts and plays hard, same can't be said about Dunn. Top 10 Dunn Comps for fun Hafner, Ortiz, C. Pena, Lee, Giambi, Delgado, McGriff, Thome, Burrell, Sexson

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:48 pm

I don't feel like looking it up, but I believe most projections had Dunn at about worth 1 more win than Pena and that's him as a DH, thus meaning his defense is not negatively affecting things. pointless discussion with you since you think defense, no matter how bad will not negatively effect Dunn's value with his aging bat. I doubt anyone here would complain about Dunn in 2011, just not worth being tied up to him for 3 more years and staying out of the Fielder/Pujols and at that time Gonzalez sweepstakes. The fact that no other NL team was interested is all you need to know.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 04:26 pm

vs. a lefty I believe Castro6/Barney4/Byrd8/Ramirez5/Baker3/Soto2/Soriano7/Johnson9/Russell1

Recent comments

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    Right on schedule, just read an article in Baseball America entitled "10 MLB Prospects Outside The Top 100 Who Have Our Attention".  Zyhir Hope was one of the prospects featured. It stated that he's "one of the biggest arrow-up sleeper prospects in the lower levels right now."

     

    Not sharing to be negative about the trade, getting a top 100 prospect who is MLB ready should carry a heavy prospect cost.  But man, Dodger sure are good at identifying and developing young talent. Andrew Friedman seems to have successfully merged Ray's development with Yankees financial might to create a juggernaut of an organization.  

  • Sonicwind75 (view)

    I suspect Brown will spend some time in the bullpen due to inning restrictions.  Pitched only 93 innings last year and career high is 104 innings in 2022.  I would expect them to be cautious with a young player with his injury history.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I wanted Almonte gone last week, but that was before Merryweather went down and Little got demoted. Almonte in his last 5 appearances has gone 4.1 IP with no ER or Runs. NO hits, 3 BBs and 8 SO. He did hit 96 with his 2S FB in AZ on Tues.
    I don't see Jed waiving him when we have injuries all over and guys with options that can be sent down.
    I probably won't like the move Jed makes, but he can't play the "let's hope no one wants his 1.7mil remaining deal and we can hide him in Iowa" card.
    That's why I think the current Bullpen stays as is and Wicks goes to Iowa.
    I don't like that, but that's the fix I see.
    We'll find out soon enough!!!

  • 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).

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