From the Wire: Cubs Grant Unconditional Release to LHP Felix Doubront

The Cubs announced Saturday LHP Felix Doubront was granted his unconditional release.

Felix Doubront received 45 days termination pay, which amounts to around $473,000. Doubront and the Cubs avoided arbitration this winter when the two sides agreed to a $1.925 million salary for the 2015 season. By cutting ties with Doubront, the Cubs save around $1.452 million.

By granting Felix Doubront his unconditional release, the Cubs Spring Training roster officially stands at 38 players with RHP Jacob Turner, RHP Dallas Beeler, LHP Tsuyoshi Wada and OF Chris Denorfia expected to begin the season on the disabled list. The Cubs have nine more roster decisions to make before Opening Night.

Felix Doubront is out of minor league options. And based on the way he was pitching, questions had already popped up as to how the front office was going to try to stash him in the organization.

With Doubront out of the organization, the Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 39 players. The Cubs created the roster spot needed for LHP Phil Coke with Saturday’s roster move.

Felix Doubront really struggled with his command and mechanics this spring. Doubront reported to camp stretched out to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation and left as a one inning reliever. Doubront pitched in four Cactus League games and allowed nine runs on 17 hits with no walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

The Cubs acquired Felix Doubront from the Red Sox last July just before the deadline for a PTBNL. The Cubs ended up sending prospect SS Marco Hernandez to Boston in December.

Felix Doubront showed signs getting his career back on track in his short time with the Cubs. Doubront allowed nine runs on 22 hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings over four starts.

After posting an 11-6 record in 29 games, 27 starts, for the 2013 World Series Champions that included a 4.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 3.78 FIP, Felix Doubront was a combined 4-5 in 21 games, 14 starts, for the Red Sox and Cubs last season with a 5.54 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 5.13 FIP.

The Cubs’ spring roster now consists of 38 players … 18 pitchers, four catchers, nine infielders and seven outfielders. Of the 38 players still officially in camp, five are non-roster invitees.

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)
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