The Chicago Cubs keep dwindling their spring roster down to prepare for opening day. The Cubs roster currently stands at 35 players (4 of those players will open season on the DL – Matt Garza, Scott Baker, Ian Stewart and Arodys Vizcaino.). The Cubs sent down 11 players to camp today:
P Chris Rusin: Many thought he would win the final spot in the ‘pen, but the Cubs would rather have him start in Triple-A.
P Jaye Chapman: He did not look great this spring like he looked last year. We’ll probably still see him at Wrigley sometime this year.
P Drew Carpetner: The Cubs want depth for starting pitching and he’ll start in Triple-A.
P Blake Parker: Parker is not like he used to be. He was once a Cubs top pitching prospect and he just couldn’t put it all together.
P Jensen Lewis: Lewis did not look good this spring and was a depth signing more than anything. Plus, depth for the Triple-A roster.
OF Brian Bogusevic: He had a pretty good spring, but the Cubs needed another lefty OF and he’s a righty. Making him be on the list of cuts.
OF Darnell McDonald: Just like Bogusevic, McDonald had a good spring but he’s an OF and the Cubs OF was pretty much set going into camp.
OF Johermyn Chavez: Chavez never had a chance to make the team and will provide depth for the Triple-A roster.
IF Edwin Maysonet: Just like many veterans signed to minor-league deals, they are signed as an extra body is camp and the Cubs didn’t have much expectations.
IF Brad Nelson: Nelson had a slight chance to make the team as he’s a 1B and could have been the back-up to Rizzo. However, the Cubs expect Rizzo to play most of the 162 games and a guy that really only plays 1B, would be a waste of a spot on the roster.
The Cubs have 4 players left in camp completing for 1 spot in the bullpen. Hisanori Takahashi, Rafael Dolis, Cory Wade, and Zach Putman are the guys competing for a roster spot. None of the 4 guys are on the 40-man roster and a roster move would have to be made to add them to the 25-man roster. Barring no waiver wire acquisition, Takahashi will be the 7th guy in the bullpen and the 2nd lefty.
The Cubs still have Steve Clevenger and Alberto Cabrera in camp and both of them are competing for the final bench spot. However, both players may not make the team. The Cubs will try and find the final guy off the bench on the waiver wire. If the Cubs cannot, Clevenger is the likely choice to win the job.
As we already knew, Dave Sappelt has won the j0b as the 5th OF.
The Cubs roster is now about set with minor moves still to be made.