Cubs Trim Spring Roster To 35

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- The Cubs are going to use what's likely to be their Opening Day roster in Friday's game at Maryvale against the Brewers:

DeJesus cf, Castro ss, Rizzo 1b, Soriano lf, Schierholtz rf, Castillo c, Valbuena 3b, Barney 2b, Villanueva p

Of course, Jeff Samardzija will be the Opening Day starter.

Going along with that theme, the Cubs cut 11 players from the spring roster Friday morning. Most of the names on this cut list should not surprise you:

Johermyn Chavez
Chris Rusin
Jensen Lewis
Darnell McDonald
Casey Coleman
Blake Parker
Brad Nelson
Brian Bogusevic
Drew Carpenter
Edwin Maysonet
Jaye Chapman

The cut of Maysonet could mean that the Cubs will be looking elsewhere, perhaps to the waiver wire, as Dale Sveum has hinted, for another infielder. With Ian Stewart headed to the DL for Opening Day, Brent Lillibridge and Luis Valbuena will likely platoon at third base, meaning there's a spot open for a sixth infielder. Alberto Gonzalez is still in camp -- and he played second base for the Cubs Thursday night -- so he still has a shot.

The only name on that list that might be a mild surprise is Rusin; he had pitched quite well this spring and had a shot at making the team as a lefthander out of the bullpen. Instead, he'll be in the rotation at Iowa and injury insurance for the major-league team. This means Hisanori Takahashi could very well be the seventh and last reliever in the pen. Other pitchers still in camp with a chance: Rafael Dolis, Cory Wade and Zach Putnam, though those three are righthanders and it would seem the Cubs would like a second lefty in the pen behind James Russell.

It also means Dave Sappelt, who appeared likely to make the team, now has been assured a spot. The moves reduce the spring roster to 35, consisting of 18 pitchers (three non-roster), four catchers (one non-roster), seven infielders (two non-roster) and six outfielders.