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The Cubs have a split squad today and an off day Monday, but they did not wait till the off day to announce roster cuts:
Alzolay, Tseng optioned to Iowa, De La Cruz, Steele optioned to Tennessee; Duncan Robinson, Ian Clarkin, Alberto Baldonado, Craig Brooks, Carlos Ramirez, Colin Rea, Ian Rice, Charcer Burks, Evan Marzilli, Jacob Hannemann assigned to minor league camp. Scahill granted release.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 9, 2019
Almost none of these cuts should be any surprise to you. Adbert Alzolay, Justin Steele and Colin Rea have not appeared in a spring game due to minor injuries. Oscar De La Cruz will be suspended for the first 25 games of Tennessee’s season.
The only minor surprise here is the release of Rob Scahill, who has seven years’ big-league experience. He appeared in only two spring games, posting an 11.57 ERA. I thought he might stick around a bit longer, but it appears the Cubs let him go now in order for him to have some time to catch on with another club.
With these cuts, the Cubs’ spring roster of 55 players consists of 31 pitchers (which includes seven non-roster invitees plus right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman, 60-day I.L.), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 12 infielders (five non-roster invitees) and seven outfielders (two non-roster invitees).
I’d expect more cuts to come sometime next week.