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This news might not mean much if MLB suspends the beginning of the 2020 season due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19, but I thought I would report this to you anyway.
Wednesday evening, the Cubs announced five further roster cuts, reducing the number of players in camp to 39.
Righthanded pitcher James Norwood has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Four non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: righthanded pitchers Dakota Mekkes and Ben Taylor; and left-handed pitchers Danny Hultzen and Wyatt Short.
Hultzen, in particular, might be a good candidate to help out the bullpen, but the Cubs want him to have more time on the mound and there isn’t much time left for him before the scheduled Opening Day. He’s likely to begin the season at extended spring training.
The spring roster of 39 players now consists of 21 pitchers (which includes three non-roster invitees), four catchers (two non-roster invitees), eight infielders (two non-roster invitees) and six outfielders (one non-roster invitee).