Chicago Cubs: What expanded rosters mean for this year’s club

Chicago Cubs: Making spots for guys on the 40-man

I’m not sure how the front office is going to make room on the 40-man roster for anyone who isn’t currently on there, given it’s full at the moment.

There are several players who are currently injured. If any more of them are ruled out for the rest of the year, they can transferred to the 60=day disabled list. That would open up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Adbert Alzolay was shut down for the season awhile back. However, minor league disabled lists don’t work exactly the same way, so I’m not sure if Alzolay can simply be transferred to a disabled list that frees up a spot on the 40-man roster.

The Cubs might want Tyler Chatwood‘s season to be over, but I’m sure Major League Baseball would frown if there isn’t a legitimate injury bad enough to justify putting chatwood on the 60-day disabled list. He’s currently on the 10-day DL.

Beyond those two players, Cubs fans should be hoping the other injured players return from the disabled list this season. That leaves the possibility of removing other players from the 40-man roster.

Anthony Bass already cleared waivers and was removed from the 40-man roster earlier this season. However, the Cubs probably prefer him over other pitchers who are still on the roster. I’ll break down pitchers for the expanded roster in an upcoming piece.