According to multiple reports, the Cubs granted Carlos Silva his unconditional release Sunday morning.
The Cubs told Silva Saturday that he would not make the team out of camp and asked him to go to Triple-A Iowa to be insurance during the season. Silva said there’s was no chance he would accept a minor league assignment.
Releasing Carlos Silva reduces the Cubs 40-man roster to 38 players. Reed Johnson will take one of the two open spots once he’s officially added to the Cubs big league roster. The Cubs are on the hook for the remaining $11.5 million on Carlos Silva’s contract. Reports surfaced Saturday that the Cubs are not responsible for the $2 million buyout on the mutual option for 2012.
The Cubs officially reduced their Spring Training roster to 27 players by granting Silva his unconditional release Sunday morning. The only position yet to be announced is which catcher will serve as Geovany Soto’s backup.
Koyie Hill, Welington Castillo and Max Ramirez are still vying for the position.
Updated 10:31am CDT – According to a report from the Tribune, the Cubs had planned to run out Silva on his regular day Monday in order to showcase him for a possible trade. Apparently things changed in light of the comments Silva made Saturday.
Will update when more information becomes available …