The Cubs announced the fifth round of spring roster cuts Monday morning. Javier Baez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa and both Kris Bryant and Addison Russell were re-assigned to minor league camp. With Monday’s roster moves, the Cubs spring roster officially stands at 35 players.
The Cubs optioned 2B Javier Baez to Triple-A Iowa. Baez thought he had made the team and told the Sun-Times that he would be with the Cubs on Opening Night. Optioning Baez to Iowa at this point comes as a surprise.
It was expected both Kris Bryant and Addison Russell would begin the year with Triple-A Iowa.
The Cubs’ spring roster now consists of 35 players … 18 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders and seven outfielders. Of the 35 players still officially in camp, three are non-roster invitees.
The Cubs have optioned seven players to the minor leagues in the first five rounds of roster cuts that are currently on the 40-man roster: 2B Javier Baez, LHP Eric Jokisch, 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 25 players to minor league camp.
18 players in camp on non-roster invites have been re-assigned to minor league side: 3B/OF Kris Bryant, SS Addison Russell, 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.
40-Man Roster
Pitchers
- Jake Arrieta, RHP (49)
- Dallas Beeler, RHP (32)
- Drake Britton, LHP (66)
- Justin Grimm, RHP (52)
- Jason Hammel, RHP (39)
- Kyle Hendricks, RHP (28)
- Edwin Jackson, RHP (36)
- 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)
- 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
Pitchers
- Phil Coke, LHP (27)
Catchers
- Taylor Teagarden (12)
Infielders
- Jonathan Herrera (19)
Outfielders
- None
While the spring roster is officially 35 players, RHP Jacob Turner will begin the season on the DL and it appears LHP Tsuyoshi Wada, RHP Dallas Beeler and OF Chris Denorfia will also start the year on the disabled list. With those four players not an option for the first roster of the season, the Cubs still have to cut six players from the spring roster.