According to multiple reports, the Rangers claimed INF Donnie Murphy off of waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Murphy is a straight waiver claim and Texas is now responsible for Murphy’s salary for the 2014 season of $825,000 plus incentives. The Cubs did not receive a player or cash in return from Texas.
The Cubs released George Kottaras and are on the hook for 1/4 of his $1.075 salary for this season.
With the two roster moves, the Cubs spring roster stands at 32 players.
Donnie Murphy and George Kottaras were on the 40-man roster and the two moves clears two spots on the roster. The Cubs will gain a third spot on the 40-man roster when Kyuji Fujikawa is placed on the 60-day DL.
The team will use two of the three spots for Emilio Bonifacio and John Baker. The Cubs now have the flexibility to add Ryan Kalish to the roster as well or Ryan Roberts, who remains in the mix for an Opening Day job with the Cubs. Chris Coghlan is also in the running for a back-up job with the Cubs but appears to be behind Kalish and Roberts at this point of Spring Training. While the announcement has not been made official, it appears Mike Olt has made the Opening Day roster.
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
Released
- Aaron Cunningham, OF
- Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP
- Chang-Yong Lim, RHP
- George Kottaras, C
Claimed Off Waivers
- Donnie Murphy, INF