ROSTER MOVES: Rondon, Almora, Patton, Federowicz, and Kawasaki Return (UPDATE: R.J. Alvarez DFA’d)

chicago cubs logo feature

As we expected, the Chicago Cubs active roster – standing at just 29 names as of this morning – grew by a handful of players today.

Each of Hector Rondon, Albert Almora Jr., Spencer Patton, Tim Federowicz, and Munenori Kawasaki are joining the Chicago Cubs today, presumably for the remainder of the regular season – and potentially a bit more than that (Carrie Muskat, Mark Grote).

If you recall, any player on the 40-man roster before September 1 is eligible to start on a playoff roster – no strings attached. So even though today’s call-ups weren’t on the active roster on September 1, each* has a shot/is eligible to play in the postseason (obviously some better than others).

While each player listed above is returning on the same day (and benefitting from the expanded rosters), they don’t all have the same story. So, let’s take a look at each, see what their role looks like down the stretch, and determine their chances of playing in the postseason when the time comes.

[adinserter block=”1″][adinserter block=”10″]

Hector Rondon 

Hector Rondon is finally making his (hopefully permanent) return to the Chicago Cubs. If you recall, Rondon had taken some time off (without a DL stint) near the beginning of August with a triceps issue, before attempting to make a return on his own a couple weeks later. Unfortunately, his first appearance back (August 15) after the brief hiatus didn’t go as planned (4 earned runs on 2 homers), and he landed on the disabled list four days later. After a few successful bullpen sessions, however, Rondon is back and feeling strong. He’ll return to a 2.47 ERA (3.08 FIP) and a 31.3% strikeout rate out of the pen. If healthy, there’s no question that he’ll be on the postseason roster.

Albert Almora Jr.

Albert Almora Jr., like Rondon, had been out since the beginning of August with a hand injury, and didn’t make an appearance on the diamond until August 27. Of course, that appearance came with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs – where Almora has been stationed since Dexter Fowler made his return to the big league team just after the All-Star break. In his 86 plate appearance with the big league Cubs this season, Almora slashed .265/.291/.422, good for an 87 wRC+, although his chances of finding a place on the post-season roster rest almost entirely on his defense. Luke recently put it best:

As for October – nothing is certain. The Cubs have a lot of outfielders, so Almora is unlikely to make the cut. On the other hand, his glove is the best of any of their current outfielders (with the possible exception of Jason Heyward, but the fact that it’s a legitimate question says everything), and an outfield featuring both Almora and Heyward would be a nice luxury in the late innings of playoff games.

[adinserter block=”2″]

Spencer Patton

Spencer Patton has been up and down a couple times over the past month (most recently sent back down in favor of Tommy La Stella), but was largely expected to return to the Cubs as soon as Iowa’s season ended and he regained eligibility. In his 17.1 IP with Chicago this season, Patton has collected a 4.67 ERA, but has looked a lot better since July 7 (3.38 ERA). However, with a crowded bullpen, his chances of landing a spot on the postseason roster are slim at best. You have to assume that each of Aroldis Chapman, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Carl Edwards Jr., and Justin Grimm (plus one of the starters not in the playoff rotation (likely Jason Hammel)), will take six bullpen spots with all of Mike Montgomery, Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood, Felix Pena, Rob Zastryzny, and others battling for the one or two remaining spots (at most). It’s not impossible for Patton to make it, but it’s fairly unlikely (given the continued health of the relief corps).

Munenori Kawasaki

Munenori Kawasaki – everyone’s favorite Cub-with-just-three-plate-appearances-at-the-Major-League-level-this-season – also makes his return to Chicago. Although this stay will likely exceed that of his previous stints, both in terms of plate appearances and duration, he’s fairly distant from an appearance on a playoff roster. The Cubs versatility and other options will likely prevent such a scenario, but he’ll stay fresh at the Major League level just in case. At Triple-A Iowa this season, Kawasaki has slashed .255/.352/.312 (82 wRC+).

[adinserter block=”3″]

Tim Federowicz*

Tim Federowicz is the reason for the asterisk in the introduction of this article. Because Federowicz was not on the 40-man roster until today (September  6), he wouldn’t usually/technically be eligible for a spot on the playoff roster. However, because he was in the organization before September 1 and could be replacing someone on the disabled list, he would thus be eligible for the playoffs. That said, the only way he’ll find himself with the Cubs come NLDS-time is if a couple more catchers were hurt after today (knock on some serious wood), which would make him eligible anyway. Through 27 plate appearances in MLB this season, Federowicz is slashing .192/.222/.269. Through 293 PAs at Triple-A Iowa, however, he’s done quite a bit better: .293/.352/.450

So there are the rest of your expanded-roster moves. It’s always possible that some other names will pop-up (like Jeimer Candelario, perhaps) before all is said and done, but if it hasn’t happened yet, it’s very unlikely to happen later. The Cubs are deep, they’re versatile, they’re good, and most importantly, they’re ready for the playoffs.

UPDATE from Brett: To open the 40-man spot for Federowicz, the Cubs designated minor league pitcher R.J. Alvarez for assignment. Unless you’re an uber-nerd (which, well, if you’re here, you might be), you probably don’t remember that the Cubs snagged Alvarez, an elbow-surgery-recoveree off of waivers from the A’s back in June. The 25-year-old righty is a big fastball, big stuff guy, whose numbers at AA this year as he recovered from the surgery were mixed. The Cubs likely hope they’ll be able to slip Alvarez through waivers and hang onto him in the minors until next year. Because he was taking up a 40-man spot, there was a chance this was going to happen before the Rule 5 Draft anyway, since the Cubs have several interesting, young bullpen arms they’re going to have to roster come November. But we’ll get there later.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Rangers – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

*SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse the FIRST CHICAGO CUBS LINEUP of the Year? Don't miss out! For just one more week...

The Cubs Are Among the Most Returning-y Teams

I am still mostly incapacitated at the moment, so apologies for the short shrift on such an otherwise blessed day. In between pokes and prods, I wanted to share a chart I saw that was pretty interesting, even if unsurprising:...

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

Latest News

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Friday, March 29, 2024

Today's NBA schedule has 12 quality competitions in store. Among those games is the Minnesota Timberwolves playing the Denver Nuggets.NBA prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building a parlay, you'll...

Updated Elite 8 Odds: UConn Betting Favorite To Win March Madness

There were some great performances last night including a 30-point win by the UConn Huskies sending them to the Elite Eight. Are they the betting favorite to win March Madness? What team is sitting on top of the odds to...

UConn vs. Illinois Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round Elite Eight

The No. 1 seed UConn Huskies (34-3) are 8.5-point favorites to advance to the Final Four when they play the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (29-8) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Saturday at TD Garden, airing on...

Alabama vs. Clemson Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – NCAA Tournament Round Elite Eight

The No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) and No. 6 seed Clemson Tigers (24-11) will both be vying for a spot in the NCAA Tournament Final Four when they meet on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, tipping off at 8:49...

How to Watch UConn Huskies vs. Illinois Fighting Illini: Live Stream or on TV

The No. 1 seed UConn Huskies (34-3) will take on the No. 3 seed Illinois Fighting Illini (29-8) in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight on Saturday at TD Garden, airing on TBS starting at 6:09 PM ET.UConn won its previous...

Alabama vs. Clemson: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The No. 6 seed Clemson Tigers (24-11) will take the court for an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight matchup with the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide (24-11) on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, airing on TBS beginning at 8:49 PM ET,...

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

We saw some wild games last night as the Sweet 16 started hot as March Madness continues. There are great matchups tonight worth checking out. Take a look at today's March Madness schedule for Friday, March 29. The Sweet 16...

Big Ten Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 29

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big Ten squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Gonzaga Bulldogs versus the Purdue Boilermakers.How to Bet on Big Ten Games[lasso ref="draftkings-promo-1"...

SEC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

The Friday postseason college basketball slate includes two games featuring an SEC team in action. Among those games is the Creighton Bluejays playing the Tennessee Volunteers. Here are our recomendations for the best bets on action throughout the conference.How to...

Big 12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 30

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Friday that feature Big 12 squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Duke Blue Devils versus the Houston Cougars.How to Bet on Big 12 Games[lasso...

more cubs news