Cubs MLB Roster

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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

EXST Cubs Rally to Beat A's, Eyre Throws "Live" BP

Submitted by Arizona Phil on

Some of you might be happy to know this, but more might not be...

Scott Eyre, on the DL since the last week of Spring Training with a sore elbow, has progressed beyond just throwing side sessions in the bullpen. While the EXST Cubs were playing the EXST A's on Fitch Park Field #3, Eyre threw a 25-pitch "live" BP session on Field #2 to some of the Cub position players who were not in the starting lineup of the EXST game.

While we all know Eyre is not the pitcher he was three years ago, he did appear to throw the ball OK today, mixing a decent fastball with a "big league" slider the Cub youngsters will rarely see in Minor League Camp or Extended Spring Training. 

Eyre is at the point in his rehab where pitchers are just before the start of Spring Training games (throwing "live" BP), but since he's a relief pitcher who usually pitches only one inning, he probably could get himself ready to rejoin the Cubs after just a couple or three rehab game outings.

Of course, that would be dependent on whether or not he has any setbacks in his rehab. And if he does continue to progress without any setbacks, it still must be determined if his rehab game outings will be at Fitch Park (EXST) or will begin at a full season stop or stops (Peoria, Daytona, Tennessee, or Iowa) yet TBD. 

Eyre did say that his "live" BP session today "felt good," although he admitted that might have been due to the medication he's been taking.

In other injury news at EXST, RHP Alberto Alburquerque underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Monday, and RHP Rafael Dolis (2007 TJ surgery) has been shutdown after developing a sore shoulder. When Dolis will start throwing again is unknown.

On the bright side, Leon Johnson (finger) and Jeffrey Rea (sore arm) are about back to full strength, and both will likely be leaving Fitch Park for a full-season affiliate (probably Peoria) very soon. So if I'm Peoria 2B Nathan Samson (BA in the .130's), or 1B-OF Drew Rundle (3 for last 35 with 13 K), or LF Dylan Johnston (0 for last 15 with 11 K), I might start to worry just a bit.

The fact that Rundle had been demoted from Peoria to Boise-Mesa during Minor League Camp, only to get a last minute reprieve when Johnson got hurt just prior to the Chiefs leaving Arizona, might not be a good predictor for Rundle remaining at Peoria.  

And if the Peoria Chiefs ar looking for a first-baseman, Bryan Jost has been on a tear at EXST.

A 2007 draft-eligible sophomore picked in the 44th round out of the University of Minnesota and signed (he fell due to signability concerns) just before the August 15th deadline for signing Rule 4 draftees, Jost suffered a season-ending knee injury in the AZ Instructional League in October, and was limited to light activities at Minor League Camp in March (BP and fielding OK, but no sliding). But he's cleared for "full contact" now, and it looks like he's trying to make up for lost time, as he went 3-3 today with a single, a double, and a triple, as well as making a couple of nice scoops at first-base.    

Speaking of today's EXST game, the Cubs jumped out to a 6-0 lead, with starter Marcus Hatley throwing three shutout innings. But then the A's came back against the Cubs bullpen (F. Acosta, Carmona, and Rojas) to take a 7-6 lead in the 6th, before Nelson Perez hit a game-winning two-run HR 430+ feet over the CF fence in the bottom of the 8th. John Muller then pitched a shutout 9th for the save.

If a replacement pitcher is needed at Peoria or Daytona in the next few days or weeks, and it's not one of the rehab guys like Todd Blackford or Billy Muldowney, expect to see Hatley or Muller get the call. Both right-handers are throwing the ball VERY well right now.

Both Hatley and Muller are converted position players, Hatley having played OF at Palomar JC, and Muller shortstop at St. Thomas Aquinas College.  

The guy who hit the game-winning HR today (Nelson Perez) is an unsual case in the Cubs system, in that he was signed as a pitcher, but was converted to an outfielder.

Essentially, N. Perez is a left-handed hitting Ryan Harvey, an EXTREME first-ball fastball hitter with an aversion to breaking balls and change-ups, but with the power to hit a ball half-way to Apache Junction.

Also like Harvey, N. Perez has one of the top two outfield arms in the Cubs organization (11 outfield assists in just 2-1/2 months at AZL Mesa in 2007). He also bears an uncanny physical resemblance to a young Sammy Sosa.   

Like Felix Pie, Nelson Perez is another one of Alfonso Soriano's Dominican proteges. During Spring Training, Soriano befriended the youngster, giving him bats, gloves, shoes, and a case of batting gloves. 

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

LINEUP:
1. Leon Johnson, CF-LF: 1-2 (2B, 2-3 SH, BB + CS, K-s)
2. Jeffrey Rea, 2B: 1-2 (BB, FC-RBI, BB + CS, BUNT 1B +R)
3a. Josh Vitters, 3B: 0-2 (6-4-3 GIDP, P-6)
3b. John Contreras, 3B: 0-1 (K-s, 3-4 SH)
4. Nelson Perez, RF: 1-4 (1-3, 4-3, K-c, HR-2 RBI)
5. Carlos Perez, C: 0-4 (4-3, F-8, 6-3, 6-3)
6a. Brandon Guyer, DH #1: 0-1 (6-3, BB + R)
6b. Roberto Sabates, PH-DH #2: 0-2 (4-3, 5-3)
7a. Elvis Lara, LF: 1-3 (F-8, 3B-RBI + R, 4-3)
7b. Andres Quezada, CF: 0-0
8. Bryan Jost, 1B: 3-3 (2B + R, 3B-RBI + R, 1B)
9. Gian Guzman, SS: 2-2 (1B-RBI + R, F-7 SF-RBI, 1B)
10. Starlin Castro, DH #2: 0-3 (E-4 + R, 5-3, K-c)

PITCHERS:
1. Marcus Hatley - 3.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (2/2 GB/FB)
2. Francisco Acosta - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 GIDP, 1 WP
3. Rogelio Carmona - 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 BALK 
4. Carlos Rojas - 0.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 WP  
5. Eduardo Figueroa, - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
6. John Muller - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

FIELDING: No errors!

OUTFIELD ASSIST: L. Johnson (8-6 out at 2B)

CATCHERS:
C. Perez: 1-3 CS
 
WEATHER: Warm & VERY breezy (25 MPH out to CF)
ATTENDANCE: 7


 

Tags
Extended Spring Training
Scott Eyre

Comments

Submitted by Jumbo on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 04:35 pm

AZP I live in South Bend and plan on attending the series versus the Peoria Chiefs that goes from Friday, May 2 through Sunday. I'll try to ask you a day or two ahead of the series, but I would love to hear any tips on players to watch for, etc. I'm going to try to get behind the Chiefs dugout and take some pictures, keep score, eat nachos and drink like 10 beers/game. Thanks in advance for your help

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 04:54 pm

those new NFL and Pontiac ads on the right sidebar payout quite nicely for each click; although each IP address is limited to 5...you know, if you want to support the site. :)

[ ]

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:04 am

Does that count as my April pledge drive donation?

Come on now, we know TV pays big bucks...plus the bonus money you put away from your playing days.

 

Submitted by iowaCub on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 04:31 pm

My wife bought the excuse. I'm in the clear. Yes, it was only 10 bones, but boy do I feel better.

Submitted by 10man on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:47 am

The offense continues to carry the pitching (even with Sori out, Aram underperforming, Pie struggling, etc.). Top 5 in MLB in runs scored and Top 10 in home runs. Lets get that pitching in shape!

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:41 am

Submitted by Raisin101 on Wed, 04/16/2008 - 10:19pm.

 Any sightings of Angel Guzman? What's the status on his rehab? Thanks, Phil!

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

RAISIN: I see Angel Guzman almost every day. He often sits with the other pitchers in the bleachers and watches the EXST games (the minor leaguers HAVE to be there, but "veteran" guys like Guzman, Eyre, Fox, Petrick, Henderson, and G. Johnson can stay in the clubhouse if they prefer).

Gooz is really funny and animated, likes to tell funny stories (in Spanish). He's like a "big brother" to the EXST Venezuelan kids (like Suarez, Figueroa, Rojas, Soto, and Guevara). And he participates in Pitchers Fielding Practice (PFP) and he does his running with the other rehabbing pitchers.

I haven't seen him pitch yet (meaning "live" BP or simulated game), although he is probably throwing occasional limited (test) side sessions in the throwing pit, as is the case with Kitt Kopach (shoulder surgery rehab), Larry Suarez (sore shoulder) and Oswaldo Martinez (2007 TJ surgery rehab).

Given that he had TJ surgery in September, I would think Guzman will probably not be ready for rehab game action until sometime in June. He is definitely not yet in "Active Rehab" status, that's for sure.

Best case is Guzman back and very close to 100% in September, providing another power arm in the Cubs bullpen (hopefully) into the post-season. But that's ONLY if everything goes OK in his rehab and presuming he doesn't go down with some other injury while rehabbing (as happened with Dolis on Tuesday).

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:03 am

Submitted by azcubsfan on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 7:09am.

Does anyone know what time the extended spring training actitivites start? I'd like to add to the group of seven watching

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

AZCUBSFAN: The daily workouts at Fitch Park usually start around 8:00-8:30, and EXST games are played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and they start at 10:00 on Saturdays and 10:30 on the other days (or sometimes earlier or later, depending on whenever the umpires arrive).

There are no concessions, no scorecards or rosters, no public address announcer, no throwing out the first pitch, no National Anthem, no music, no grooming of the field after the 5th inning, no 7th inning stretch.... Just your basic baseball game, but with a ten-man batting order (two DHs).

On the days when EXST games are played (Mon-Tue-Wed and Fri-Sat) the EXST Cubs are home half the time and are on the road half the time, and when they are on the road they usually play at either Scottsdale Chaparral Park (Giants) at Hayden & Indian Bend, the Tempe Diablo Park Complex (Angels) at 48th Street & Alameda, or the Phoenix Papago Park Complex (A's) at 64th Street & McDowell, although they occasionally (rarely) will make a trip to Maryvale (51st Avenue & Indian School), Peoria (83rd Avenue & Bell), or Surprise (147th Avenue & Bell). The EXST Cubs NEVER go to Tucson. But even when the Cubs have a road game, about half the squad remains at Fitch Park for BP and fielding practice that will usually run until about 11:00.

Thursday (today) is "Camp Day," and that means the entire EXST Cubs squad is at  Fitch Park. There is a teaching workout (with instruction) and then usually an intrasquad game, but the game can start at anytime, sometimes as early as 9:00 or 9:30, or as late as 11:00 or 11:30, and, depending on how many pitchers need work, the intrasquad game could be as short as three or four innings or as long as nine or ten innings.

Sunday is the EXST Cubs day off.

BTW, the average salary for players at EXST (as well as Boise/Mesa) is about $200 per week ($800 per month) over five months (April through August), and all players not on the 40-man roster at Minor League Camp get only a $120 weekly Spring Training allowance during March (40-man roster guys and NRIs at big league camp get a $1,000+ allowance per week during ST) .

 

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 04:32 am

Submitted by Hagsag on Thu, 04/17/2008 - 9:23am. Phil, I see Randy Wells is now listed on the Iowa Cubs roster under the category of "reserved". Does hat mean that the Cubs have now reaquired him? Thanks.

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

HAGSAG: If Randy Wells is listed on the Iowa Cubs roster as "reserved," that would mean he has been reclaimed by Iowa and is on the I-Cubs 38-man "reserve list." (Remember, when a Rule 5 player is reclaimed by his original organization, he is automatically outrighted to the AAA club roster from which he was drafted).

But since he hasn't pitched for about two weeks, he probably won't be activated until he gets back into throwing shape. He might possibly do that by throwing "live" BP and/or a simulated game at Iowa, or he could get assigned to EXST at Fitch Park for a few days.

Recent comments

  • Bill (view)

    A good rule of thumb is that if you trade a near-ready high ceiling prospect, you should get at least two far-away high ceiling prospects in return.  Like all rules-of-thumb, it depends upon the specific circumstances, but certainly, we weren't going to get Busch for either prospect alone.

  • 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. 

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