The Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, released their first roster of the season on Monday afternoon. Buddy Bailey’s team opens the 2014 season on Thursday night at Pensacola.
Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Dustin Geiger, Rubi Silva, John Andreoli, Zeke DeVoss and Stephen Bruno headline the position players that will start the season on the Smokies’ active roster. Jorge Soler was optioned to Double-A Tennessee in Spring Training and reports have suggested Soler will begin the season on the 7-day DL with a hamstring injury. The Smokies do not have Soler listed on the team’s disabled list. Theo Epstein addressed Soler’s injury prior to Monday’s game and said the team was being cautious with Soler.
The Smokies’ rotation will be led with C.J. Edwards at the beginning of the season along with Ivan Pineyro, Corey Black, Matt Loosen and Dae-Eun Rhee. Pierce Johnson is starting the year on the disabled list. Johnson has been dealing with hamstring tightness that will delay the start of his season. Jason McLeod said in March he did not anticipate Johnson missing one or two starts.
Tennessee’s pen will feature hard throwers Armando Rivero and Tony Zych.
The Smokies’ first roster features 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Tennessee will start the season with Taylor Davis and Anthony Giansanti on the disabled list. Double-A Tennessee can have 37 players on their reserve roster but only 24 players on the active roster.
2014 Tennessee Smokies Opening Day Roster
- Manager – Buddy Bailey
- Hitting Coach – Desi Wilson
- Pitching Coach – Storm Davis
Pitchers
- Corey Black, RHP
- Lendy Castillo, RHP
- Hunter Cervenka, LHP
- C.J. Edwards, RHP
- P.J. Francescon, RHP
- Matt Loosen, RHP
- Jeffrey Lorick, LHP
- Ivan Pineyro, RHP
- Dae-Eun Rhee, RHP
- Armando Rivero, RHP
- Ryan Searle, RHP
- Tony Zych, RHP
Catchers
- Charles Cutler
- Rafael Lopez
Infielders
- Stephen Bruno
- Kris Bryant
- Wes Darvill
- Dustin Geiger
- Jonathan Mota
- Jeudy Valdez
Outfielders
- John Andreoli
- Zeke DeVoss
- Rubi Silva
- Jorge Soler
Disabled List
- Taylor Davis
- Anthony Giansanti
Release from Tennessee Smokies