The Cubs announced the fourth round of roster cuts Saturday, and it was just one player. LHP Eric Jokisch was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. And the Cubs Spring Training roster officially stands at 39 players.
Eric Jokisch was expected to begin the year at the top of Iowa’s rotation. Jokisch was rather inconsistent in four appearances, two starts, in Cactus League play. Jokisch allowed 11 runs, eight earned, on 15 hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 12 innings.
Jokisch showed this spring he has the stuff to be a successful starter in the backend of a big league rotation. He just needs time in the minors. Jokisch is still scheduled to start Tuesday against the Rangers in Surprise while Jon Lester builds up his pitch count in a minor league game.
The Cubs have optioned six players to the minor leagues in the first four rounds of roster cuts that are currently on the 40-man roster: 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 22 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 39 players … 19 pitchers, four catchers, nine infielders and seven outfielders. Of the 39 players still officially in camp, five are non-roster invitees.
While the roster is officially 39 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 10 players from the spring roster, and make at least two 40-man roster moves prior to Opening Night next week against the Cardinals.
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)
- 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
Pitchers
- Phil Coke, LHP (27)
Catchers
- Taylor Teagarden (12)
Infielders
- Kris Bryant (76)
- Jonathan Herrera (19)
- Addison Russell (75)
Outfielders
- None
Players officially removed from the spring roster can still participate in Cactus League games.