NEWSLETTER
Today is the first set of cuts from big league camp, with the Spring Training roster reducing from a whopping 74 to 66. None of these cuts is a huge surprise, and all are non-roster invitees who were internal to the organization.
From the Cubs:
The Chicago Cubs today assigned eight players to minor league camp, reducing the spring roster from 74 to 66 players.
Eight non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: left-handed pitcher Brailyn Marquez, catcher Bryce Windham, infielders Esteban Quiroz, Chase Strumpf, Andy Weber and Jared Young, and outfielders Darius Hill and Yonathan Perlaza.
Chicago’s spring roster of 66 players consists of 38 pitchers (which includes 16 non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 11 infielders (three non-roster invitees), 10 outfielders (three non-roster invitees) and two infielder/outfielders.
None of Marquez, Windham, Quiroz, Strumpf, Weber, Young, Hill, or Perlaza were expected to compete for a big league roster spot right now, and instead were in camp to get experience (and in case of a terrible rash of injuries). This does not mean they will not still appear periodically in Cactus League games as back-ups; it just means they are officially getting their time at minor league camp underway.
Marquez, who is still working his way back from shoulder surgery last year, is on his own timeline. Otherwise, all of these guys could wind up starters at Triple-A Iowa this season, and figure to be on the radar for a call up if a serious need emerged (or a serious breakout).
