Cubs roster moves: Kyle Ryan and Allen Webster reassigned

The Cubs today announced that right-handed pitcher Allen Webster has been reassigned to minor-league camp and left-handed pitcher Kyle Ryan has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. This brings the Spring Training roster down to 30 in advance of Opening Day.

As Carrie Muskat points out, these moves mean that left-handed reliever Randy Rosario has made the Opening Day roster.

Webster spent all of last season in the Cubs organization, mostly with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, although he did make three appearances in September with the big leaguers and was the winning pitcher of Game 162 against the Cardinals. He looked very good in Spring Training, tossing 12 innings over nine appearances and posting an ERA of 1.50. He struck out 11 and walked just three. But the fact that he was right-handed worked against him making the major league roster.

Ryan also spent last season with the Iowa Cubs. In Spring Training this year, he also made nine appearances and pitched 12 ²⁄₃ innings, putting up an ERA of 2.84. Opposing hitters did hit .294 against him, however. Ryan struck out eight and walked three.

Rosario spent most of last season with the big league team, making 44 appearances and going 4-0 with a 3.66 ERA and one save. Rosario has not pitched as well this spring, but his performance in 2018 and manager Joe Maddon’s desire for another left-hander in the bullpen was no doubt the difference in Rosario making the Opening Day roster.