The Chicago Cubs have made a pair of moves to finalize their Opening Day roster for the 2024 season, optioning pitcher Hayden Wesneski and outfielder Alex Canario to Triple-A Iowa.
In addition, catcher Joe Hudson was sent to minor league camp, and Jorge Alfaro has been given his release, according to the team.
Manager Craig Counsell told media in Arizona that the team has made final decisions on several players, including sending Wesneski and Canario to the minor leagues for the start of the regular season.
With Patrick Wisdom headed to the injured list, Counsell had previously said that first baseman Garrett Cooper would make the big-league roster, a move that will require a player to be taken off of the 40-man roster before the start of the regular season.
Counsell also announced to Marquee Sports Network’s Andy Martinez and other reporters that both Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni will be on the Opening Day roster, as will relievers Jose Cuas and Luke Little.
Patrick Mooney had previously reported that outfielder David Peralta will remain with the team in extended spring training as he works back from offseason surgery.
Those moves, coupled with the expected IL stints for Jameson Taillon and Caleb Killian, bring the Cubs to 26 players that are expected to be on the Opening Day roster for Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
Chicago Cubs
Here is the full list of players that will head to Texas to take on the defending World Series champions.
Rotation: Javier Assad, Kyle Hendricks, Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jordan Wicks
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Bullpen: Yency Almonte, Adbert Alzolay, Jose Cuas, Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Little, Julian Merryweather, Hector Neris, Drew Smyly
Catchers: Miguel Amaya, Yan Gomes
Infielders: Michael Busch, Garrett Cooper, Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, Miles Mastrobuoni, Christopher Morel, Dansby Swanson
Outfielders: Cody Bellinger, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Mike Tauchman
MLB Injured List: Jameson Taillon, Patrick Wisdom
