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

A's Pummel Pineiro at Papago Park

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Gabriel Santana drove-in four runs with two RBI doubles and an RBI single and Scott Masik doubled twice, walked, scored three runs, and knocked in two more, helping the Athletics thrash Joel Pineiro and the Cubs 10-3 in Cactus League Extended Spring Training action this morning on Field #2 (AKA "Connie Mack Field") at the Papago Park Baseball Facility in Phoenix, AZ.
The 35-year old Pineiro was making his third EXST appearance after signing with the Cubs on March 30th, and it was (by far) his worst outing of the three.

After easily retiring the first six hitters he faced (1-3, 4-3, K, K, P-5, 1-3), the roof caved-in on Pineiro in the 3rd & 4th innings, as the veteran right-hander surrendered seven runs (all earned) on nine hits (five doubles and four singles) plus two walks in just two innings, What seemed to be different was his sudden inability to get ground balls in the 3rd & 4th, and his aging fastball just doesn't have enough juice to get outs if he can't keep it at knee-level or lower.     

No question Pineiro got a ton of ground balls in his first two appearances (a combined 15/2 GO/FO), but today was a different story. And his day could have been even worse if not for one A's baserunner being ruled out after getting struck by a rocket grounder headed for RF in the bottom of the 3rd and another being thrown out at the plate trying to score on a line-drive single to left in the bottom of the 4th. 

Cubs Minor League Pitching Coordinator Derek Johnson and Player Development Assistant Darnell McDonald were at today's game and were watching Pineiro closely, and I would have to think they were not favorably impressed. While it's true that he has thrown a high percentage of strikes (74% over his three EXST outings), it might be better if he didn't. He just doesn't appear to have much left in the tank. Plus even without Pineiro, the Iowa starting rotation is already crowded.

THE PITCHING LINES FROM JOEL PINEIRO'S THREE EXST OUTINGS: 
4/12 - 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 8/0 GO/FO, 64 pitches (48 strikes)
4/17 - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 7/2 GO/FO, 66 pitches (43 strikes)
4/22 - 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 76 pitches (51 strikes)
TOTAL: 12.2 IP, 16 H, 11 R (11 ER), 4 BB, 9 K, 2 WP, 18/5 GO/FO, 74% strikes, 7.80 ERA, 1.58 WHIP

Alberto Mineo provided most of the Cub offense today, contributing an RBI single, a double, and a walk, while also scoring two runs. 

Here is the abridged box score from today's game (Cubs players only):    

CUBS LINEUP:
1. Dalfis Ortiz, 2B: 1-5 (4-3, 1B, K, 3-U, F-7)
2. Varonex Cuevas, 3B: 0-5 (K, 4-6 FC, 6-4-3 DP, K, K)
3. Jeffrey Baez, RF: 1-4 (BB, 5-3, F-8, 1B, K, 2 SB)
4a. Rony Rodriguez, DH: 1-3 (F-9, 6-3, 2B, R)
4b. Eufran Vargas, C: NO AB
4c. Jesse Hodges, PH-DH: 0-1 (4-3) 
5a. Alberto Mineo, C-DH: 2-2 (BB, 2B, 1B, 2 R, RBI, CS)
5b. Justin Marra, C: 0-0 (BB)
6. Bryant Flete, SS: 0-3 (6-3, BB, F-7, F-9)
7. Arnaldo Calero, LF: 2-4 (1B, F-9, F-9, 1B, R)
8. Matt Scioscia, 1B: 1-3 (1B, BB, F-9, F-9, RBI)
9. Rashad Crawford, CF: 0-3 (4-6 FC, SH-E2, L-7, K, RBI)

CUBS PITCHERS:
1. Joel Pineiro: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R (7 ER), 2 BB, 3 K, 3/3 GO/FO, 76 pitches (51 strikes)  
NOTE: Pineiro's fourth inning was stopped with two outs and a runner at 1st base
2. David Garner: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/FO, 26 pitches (10 strikes)
3. Trevor Clifton: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 GIDP, 2/1 GO/FO, 32 pitches (17 strikes)

CUBS ERRORS: 1
3B Varonex Cuevas - E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)

CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE:
Eufran Vargas: 0-1 CS, 1 PB

CUBS OUTFIELD ASSISTS:  
LF Arnaldo Calero - threw out baserunner 7-2 trying to score from 2nd base on single to LF

ATTENDANCE: 8

WEATHER: Sunny with temperatures in the 90's


   

Tags
Cubs Extended Spring Training. Joel Pineiro

Comments

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 04/22/2014 - 04:05 pm

Alex Wood with 8 IP/11 K vs. Marlins and outdueled by Jose Fernandez with 8 IP/14 K, neither give up a walk, but Marlins up 1-0 heading into the 9th.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 04/22/2014 - 04:52 pm

does anyone on the team work a count better than valbuena so far this season? short sample size and all (as well as a somewhat disappointing average), but he's had some long ABs all april with a good amount of walks. no HRs yet...surprising...but given last season and especially this spring, he's got it in him.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 04/22/2014 - 04:00 pm

get rid of barney, put valbuena (and his 2 years of club control after this season) in at 2nd...let boni play more CF...tell renteria that r.sweeney really doesn't need as many ABs as he's getting...problem solved as far as i'm concerned. seriously though...it's either valbuena or rizzo that sees more pitches per PA so far this season just guessing off the cuff.

[ ]

Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:51 am

Len n JD said he saw 40+ pitches last night. Valbuena's winning me over. Time to dump Barney and park Valbuena at second, maybe Bonifacio at CF and make them 1-2 in the lineup. Definitely move Barney out of the lineup permanently.

Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:56 am

I haven't been able to take in a whole game all season and that was a good one to watch. If they played like that every day they'd win the division. Castro was great - he seems like a different guy this year, more confident or something. Rizzo was good too, did a nice job on some tough throws from Olt and Castro. Captain Happy (thanks Jacos), your third baseman is ready. Please play him everyday. Thanks. Len and JD were looking for a nickname for Olt last night. I'm thinking Insane Bolt if he keeps up this HR pace.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:14 am

castro's D is really nice so far this year...even with the scattering of non-error plays and 2 errors he has to his name in 19 games he's looking sharp. his glovework is strongly improved so far. he's always been good at ranging on popups...now he's looking a lot better on stuff hit on the ground (so far). he may never achieve a gold glove quality D, but as long as someone like rizzo is playing 1st with stellar range/defense, it can help bridge the gap on some of castro's throw accuracy at the very least. as far as olt goes...he's not impressing anywhere except the power. his D is good, but not awesome. he can range/react a lot quicker than valbuena for sure...and his arm is more powerful. that said, even if he's "only" a .250/.330-ish type guy with 25+ HR power, that's still some good production at 3rd as long as the D remains steady. i'm ready to see him get more regular playing time. i see him as a similar batter to m.trumbo...which doesn't excite many people, but given that trumbo is a painfully slow + weak armed LF'r and olt is an adequate 3rd baseman, i can live with that kind of bat. that said, i expect a touch less power and a bit better average/ob% compared to trumbo even if it's not skewed too much in either direction on either point.

[ ]

Submitted by Ryno on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:09 am

I was thinking the same thing about Castro. He seems like an actual big league shortstop this year. He's still not Omar Vizquel, but if he continues to improve like he has, who knows. I feel like I've been one of the more critical of Castro, but with his on-the-field improvement, I'll have to change my tune a bit.

Submitted by Cubster on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:13 am

JD/Len mentioned that tony campana hit for the cycle last night, campana style...GO 5, GO 6, GO 4, GO 3.

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:01 am

Nice offense last night: Cubs won 9-2, Iowa won 10-3, and Daytona won 18-5. Bryant went 3-5 and is up to .311 BA now, with a 1.030 OPS.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:11 pm

my god...bases loaded 0 out... sure, a castro error helped do this...but p.strop walking 2 guys also helped do this.

[ ]

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:32 pm

I am sorry - YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT PLAY! You cannot give 4/5 outs and expect to win in key situations. Yes, he walked a couple guys, but there were two outs that Castro just fucking blew. Castro still is a work in progress as a Major League shortstop. I am hoping that Baez can take over his spot - but he seems to be a work in progress as well.

[ ]

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:35 pm

He is another guy that I am sick of seeing in key spots. He pitched too many innings last year and this year not done well when called upon. This team is made up of way too many "last guys on the bench". If you are going to have that - at least let them eliminate the sloppy play constantly.

[ ]

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:55 pm

a bit better than him actually wanting to sign a long term deal with the team unless they pay him out the ass or become competitive really quickly. so far he's handled pitching well (even if not as an ace) and having the pen/bats let him down quite respectfully. given the youthful swagger he came in with after he was drafted...he "grew up" to be one hell of a respectful and professional ballplayer quite quickly.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/23/2014 - 04:52 pm

pineda vs pine tar in a game vs BOS part 2 going on...he's got it all over his neck this time. ump checking the ball. ump checking his neck. ejected. drama.

Recent comments

  • crunch (view)

    happ, right hamstring tightness, day-to-day (hopefully 0 days).

    he will be reevaluated tomorrow.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    I guess I'm not looking for that type of AB 

    Just a difference of opinion

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    I don’t see Tauchman as a weak link in any position. He simply adds his value in a different way.

    I don’t know that we gain much by putting him in the outfield - Happ, Bellinger and Suzuki and Tauchman all field their positions well. If you’re looking for Taucnman’s kind of AB in a particular game I don’t see why it can’t come from DH.

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Tauchman gets a pinch hit RBI single with a liner to RF. This is his spot. He's a solid 4th OF. But he isn't a DH. 

    He takes pitches. Useful. I still believe in having good hitters.

    You don't want your DH to be your weak link (other than your C maybe)

  • crunch (view)

    bit of a hot take here, but i'm gonna say it.

    the 2024 marlins don't seem to be good at doing baseballs.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Phil, will the call up for a double header restart that 15 days on assignment for a pitcher? Like will wesneski’s 15 days start yesterday, or if he’s the 27th man, will that mean 15 days from tomorrow?

    I hope that makes sense. It sounds clearer in my head.

  • Charlie (view)

    Tauchman obviously brings value to the roster as a 4th outfielder who can and should play frequently. Him appearing frequently at DH indicated that the team lacks a valuable DH. 

  • TarzanJoeWallis (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 (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 (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.

Click HERE for the last 50 comments