The Cubs announced the first round of spring cuts Monday and reduced the spring roster to 53 players.
The Cubs moved eight players to minor league camp. C Rafael Lopez and INF Christian Villanueva were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Both players will be on optional assignments all season.
Six players in camp on non-roster invites were re-assigned to minor league camp: RHP Pierce Johnson, RHP Corey Black, RHP Armando Rivero, RHP Donn Roach, LHP Hunter Cervenka and INF Logan Watkins.
There were not any surprises in the first round of cuts.
The Cubs’ spring roster now consists of 53 players … 28 pitchers, five catchers, 10 infielders and 10 outfielders. Of the 53 players still officially in camp, 15 are non-roster invitees and 38 are on the 40-man roster.
RHP C.J. Edwards and C Kyle Schwarber are still with the big league team. It was believed that both Edwards and Schwarber would be among the first players sent to minor league camp.
The Cubs used an option on C Rafael Lopez and INF Christian Villanueva as expected. Villanueva is out of minor league options after this season. Lopez has two option years left following the 2015 season.
While the roster is officially 53 players, RHP Jacob Turner will begin the season on the DL and it’s questionable if LHP Tsuyoshi Wada will be healthy enough or ready to begin the year on the active roster.
40-Man Roster
Pitchers
- Jake Arrieta, RHP (49)
- Dallas Beeler, RHP (32)
- Drake Britton, LHP (66)
- Felix Doubront, LHP (22)
- C.J. Edwards, RHP (79)
- 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)
- Joseph Ortiz, LHP (60)
- Blake Parker, RHP (50)
- 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
- Daniel Bard, RHP (55)
- Francisley Bueno, LHP (48)
- Anthony Carter, RHP (73)
- Phil Coke, LHP (27)
- Jorge De Leon, RHP (72)
- Gonzalez Germen, RHP (57)
Catchers
- Kyle Schwarber (74)
- Taylor Teagarden (12)
Infielders
- Kris Bryant (76)
- Jonathan Herrera (19)
- Addison Russell (75)
- Chris Valaika (16)
Outfielders
- Albert Almora (78)
- Mike Baxter (33)
- Adron Chambers (40)
Players officially removed from the spring roster can still participate in Cactus League games.