4 Cubs players who've already proven they don't belong on the roster after May 1

The Chicago Cubs aren't just surviving the difficult part of their schedule—the first month of the 2025 MLB season—they are thriving. Entering the week, the Cubs are in first place in the National League Central and approaching the top of most MLB Power Rankings.

Despite the hot start from the Cubs, their roster is not without question. Of course, the biggest question facing the Cubs is who will step up in place of Justin Steele after it was revealed the left-handed starting pitcher will miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to elbow surgery.

As we inch closer to May, there are players on the Cubs' roster who likely aren't long for the Major League squad.

Cubs players who've already proven they don't belong

1. Gage Workman, 3B

Workman was one of the best stories of the Cubs' Cactus League play but when he is not batting against a position player on the mound, it's been very clear that he isn't ready to face Major League pitching on the regular.

Sure, the Cubs like Workman but for a team that has pushed their chips to the middle of the table for the 2025 season, they can't afford to hide him on the Major League roster. Once Vidal Bruján is healthy, it would seem likely that Workman will be sent back to the Detroit Tigers unless the two teams work out a trade.

2. Nate Pearson, RHP

With a fastball that can reach triple digits, it's easy to see why the Chicago Cubs would want Nate Pearson in their bullpen. Pearson's velocity is a rarity for the Cubs' bullpen but that shouldn't hide his command issues or hard-hit percentage over 40%.

Tyson Miller and Ryan Brasier are working their way back after opening the season on IL. Once they get healthy, Pearson is a clear candidate to be sent back to Triple-A Iowa.

3. Eli Morgan, RHP

Eli Morgan technically did not make the Cubs' Opening Day roster. Morgan was optioned to Triple-A Iowa during spring training but the injury to Brasier created an opening on the Major League roster.

To Morgan's credit, he hadn't allowed a run outside of his six-run appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30. That was until Monday's outing against the San Diego Padres when Morgan was tagged for 4 runs in less than an inning of work. Morgan is a clear candidate to be sent down to Triple-A within the coming weeks.

4. Ethan Roberts, RHP

The biggest thing working against Ethan Roberts is the fact that he has minor-league options available. Between Javier Assad on a minor-league rehab assignment or Jordan Wicks, the Cubs will likely want to add a swingman to their rotation in the event Colin Rea remains in the starting rotation. Roberts will likely be the odd man out once that happens.