The Cubs re-assigned Barret Loux to minor league camp on Thursday. The Cubs were expected to announce a full third round of spring roster moves on Thursday, but opted to just remove one player from their spring roster.
The Cubs have 52 players officially on the Spring Training roster after Thursday’s roster move. More cuts are expected early next week, and both Javier Baez and Jorge Soler will reportedly be among the players sent down to minor league camp at that time.
Barret Loux was re-assigned to minor league camp after a showing what he is capable of … and how much development he still has ahead of him. Loux has good stuff, and a nice smooth delivery. He just needs time in the minors, and will likely begin the year in the I-Cubs rotation.
Barret Loux received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and was 0-1 with a 15.19 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP. Loux allowed nine runs on 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
The Cubs have reduced the spring roster by 10 players over the last seven days. Matt Szczur was optioned to Double-A Tennessee and both Michael Brenly and RHP Dayan Diaz was re-assigned to minor league camp last Friday.
On Monday, the Cubs optioned Logan Watkins, Trey McNutt, Brooks Raley and Alberto Cabrera to Triple-A Iowa. Robert Whitenack was optioned to Double-A Tennessee and non-roster invitee Nick Struck was re-assigned to minor league camp.
Dale Sveum has said repeatedly over the last week that the regulars will play into the seventh inning, if not longer, beginning Monday after the three days of split squad games. The projected Opening Day roster must get their work in and at the same time, the minor leaguers must be able to prepare properly for the upcoming season.
While these roster moves are official, it does not mean the players that have been optioned down or re-assigned to minor league camp will not appear in Cactus League games again this spring. The loose nature of Spring Training allows teams to assign players to the Major League roster for a day in order to field a team, especially on travel days.