Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber Included in Third Round of Cubs Spring Roster Cuts

The Cubs announced the third round of spring roster cuts Thursday afternoon, and there really were not any surprises.

The Cubs sent 12 players to minor league camp and reduced the Spring Training roster to 40 players.

The Cubs optioned two relievers to Triple-A Iowa, RHP Blake Parker and LHP Joseph Ortiz. And 10 players in camp on non-roster invitations were re-assigned to minor league camp.

OF Albert Almora, RHP Daniel Bard, 1B/OF Mike Baxter, LHP Francisley Bueno, RHP Anthony Carter, OF Adron Chambers, RHP Jorge De Leon, RHP Gonzalez Germen, C Kyle Schwarber and INF/OF Chris Valaika were re-assigned to minor league camp.

OF Albert Almora and C Kyle Schwarber had good camps and both players are expected to start the season at Double-A Tennessee.

The Cubs have optioned five players to the minor leagues in the first three rounds of roster cuts that are currently on the 40-man roster: RHP Blake Parker, LHP Joseph Ortiz, RHP C.J. Edwards, INF Christian Villanueva and C Rafael Lopez.

The Cubs have officially optioned or re-assigned 21 players to minor league camp. 16 players in camp on non-roster invites have been re-assigned to minor league side: RHP Pierce Johnson, RHP Corey Black, RHP Armando Rivero, RHP Donn Roach, LHP Hunter Cervenka, INF Logan Watkins, OF Albert Almora, RHP Daniel Bard, 1B/OF Mike Baxter, LHP Francisley Bueno, RHP Anthony Carter, OF Adron Chambers, RHP Jorge De Leon, RHP Gonzalez Germen, C Kyle Schwarber and INF/OF Chris Valaika.

The Cubs’ spring roster now consists of 40 players … 20 pitchers, four catchers, nine infielders and seven outfielders. Of the 40 players still officially in camp, five are non-roster invitees.

While the roster is officially 40 players, RHP Jacob Turner will begin the season on the DL and it’s very possible LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, RHP Dallas Beeler and OF Chris Denorfia also start the year on the disabled list.

40-Man Roster

Pitchers

Jake Arrieta, RHP (49)
Dallas Beeler, RHP (32)
Drake Britton, LHP (66)
Felix Doubront, LHP (22)
Justin Grimm, RHP (52)
Jason Hammel, RHP (39)
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (28)
Edwin Jackson, RHP (36)
Eric Jokisch, LHP (43)
Jon Lester, LHP (34)
Jason Motte, RHP (30)
Neil Ramirez, RHP (54)
Hector Rondon, RHP (56)
Zac Rosscup, LHP (59)
Brian Schlitter, RHP (63)
Pedro Strop, RHP (46)
Jacob Turner, RHP (38)
Tsuyoshi Wada, LHP (18)
Travis Wood, LHP (37)

Catchers

Welington Castillo (5)
Miguel Montero (47)
David Ross (3)

Infielders

Arismendy Alcantara (7)
Javier Baez (9)
Starlin Castro (13)
Tommy La Stella (11)
Mike Olt (20)
Anthony Rizzo (44)

Outfielders

Chris Coghlan (8)
Chris Denorfia (15)
Dexter Fowler (24)
Junior Lake (21)
Jorge Soler (68)
Ryan Sweeney (6)
Matt Szczur (41)

Non-Roster Invitees