The Cubs officially named John Baker the backup catcher to Welington Castillo on Wednesday shortly after George Kottaras was released. Baker will be added to the 40-man roster and take one of the two spots on the roster that was opened up on Wednesday. Once Baker is added to the roster, it will officially stand at 39 players.
The Cubs announced Eli Whiteside will start the season at Triple-A Iowa but will remain with the Cubs for the last four Cactus League games, so the spring roster officially stands at 31 players with only three move moves left to be made before Sunday’s deadline. Kyuji Fujikawa will start the season on the 60-day DL and Jake Arrieta will be placed on the 15-day DL in the near future. The Cubs have not announced what the team’s plans are for James McDonald. McDonald will not be ready to start the season on the active roster and is likely headed to one of the disabled lists. Placing McDonald on the 60-day DL would open another spot on the 40-man roster.
The Cubs will add Emilio Bonifacio to the 40-man roster soon, that will leave one spot for Ryan Kalish, Ryan Roberts or Chris Coghlan.
Spring Roster Moves
Optioned to the Minors
- Arismendy Alcantara, IF (Triple-A)
- Logan Watkins, IF (Triple-A)
- Matt Szczur, OF (Triple-A)
- Dallas Beeler, RHP (Triple-A)
- Jorge Soler, OF (Double-A)
- Arodys Vizcaino, RHP (Triple-A)
- Brett Jackson, OF (Triple-A)
- Josh Vitters, OF/IF (Triple-A)
- Zac Rosscup, LHP (Triple-A)
- Christian Villanueva, 3B (Triple-A)
- Blake Parker, RHP (Triple-A)
- Neil Ramirez, RHP (Triple-A)
Reassigned to Minor League Camp
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Albert Almora, OF
- Carlos Pimentel, RHP
- Jeudy Valdez, IF
- Marcus Hatley, RHP
- Eric Jokisch, LHP
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP
- Rafael Lopez, C
- Armando Rivero, RHP
- Mitch Maier, OF
- Tommy Hottovy, LHP
- Javier Baez, IF
- Brian Schlitter, RHP
- Jonathan Sanchez, LHP
- Chang-Yong Lim, RHP
- Chris Valaika, IF
- Casper Wells, OF
- Darnell McDonald, OF
- Eli Whiteside, C
Released
- Aaron Cunningham, OF
- Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP
- Chang-Yong Lim, RHP
- George Kottaras, C
Claimed Off Waivers
- Donnie Murphy, INF