A quick bit of news this morning, as the Chicago Cubs further cut down their spring camp roster to 47, sending out three pitchers to minor league camp: right-handed pitchers Chris Clarke and Sam McWilliams, and left-handed pitcher Brad Wieck.
Wieck, 32, is probably the most recognizable name to you, as he was on the verge of a bullpen breakout multiple times with the big league Cubs when injury issues got in the way. He’s currently in the final stages of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and was not expected to make the big league pen just yet. The hope is that he’ll keep working in Arizona and then rehab up the ladder, and the Cubs will see how he looks at Iowa. Pre-surgery, and pre-heart procedure, he was absolutely dominating. Remember those 17.0 scoreless innings in 2021? 28 strikeouts in those 17 innings? Ridiculous.
McWilliams was an offseason signing as a possible development project who could conceivably come up at some point this year. Clarke is a long-time Cubs prospect who was expected to pitch at Iowa, potentially in a swing role.
The more significant cut was yesterday, when the Cubs sent 12 players to minor league camp.