Chicago Cubs News: Where the 40-man roster currently stands
![Nov 5, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Trey Mancini (26) runs to first after](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4447,h_2501,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gq7zt21cz3bhhame98.jpg)
The Chicago Cubs have had an active offseason as the team has made several signings in starting pitcher Jameson Taillon, relief pitcher Brad Boxberger, catcher Tucker Barnhart, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and center fielder Cody Bellinger that have all raised the floor of the expected production of the team.
The Cubs still have at least one more move pending as the signing of veteran free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer was reported earlier this week but has yet to be officially announced by the team. The Cubs' 40-man roster is currently full so once the Hosmer signing does become official, there will be a corresponding move to be made.
As Spring Training about one month away, let's take a look at where the Cubs' 40-man roster currently stand.
Where the Chicago Cubs' 40-man roster currently stands
1. Adbert Alzolay
Alzolay is entering the 2023 season with the expectation of pitching out of the bullpen and could thrive in that role as he did late in 2022.
2. Javier Assad
Assad was a nice find for the Cubs in 2022 as he posted a 3.11 ERA in 8 starts (9 appearances) and likely will begin the 2023 season with the Iowa Cubs.
3. Brad Boxberger
The veteran reliever signed with the Cubs this offseason and likely will serve as the primary right-handed setup man in the team's bullpen.
4. Ben Brown
Brown was acquired by the Cubs in the 2022 Major League Baseball trade deadline deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Brown could quickly ascend to the top level of the Cubs' system this season.
5. Jeremiah Estrada
Estrada posted a 3.18 ERA in 5 Major League appearances with the Cubs in 2022 and will serve a bullpen depth while starting the season with the Iowa Cubs.
![Jun 1, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (28) delivers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gp6cdcafbgg8wxsdp3.jpg)
6. Kyle Hendricks
The 2022 season was another disappointing mark for Hendricks as he struggled with injuries and effectiveness. 2023 is an important season as he attempts to get his career back on track.
7. Codi Heuer
Heuer will likely start the season on the injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
8. Brandon Hughes
Hughes posted a 3.12 ERA in his first season at the Major League level and could slide into a late-inning left-handed relief role out of the Cubs' bullpen in 2023.
9. Ryan Jensen
The Cubs remain high on Jensen and 2023 could be a breakout season for the team's pitching prospect.
![St Louis Cardinals v Chicago Cubs](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/9/01gp6ewyvejpv85242k7.jpg)
10. Caleb Killian
Killian's stock took a hit during the 2022 season after he struggled with command issues after his stint at the Major League level. If he can make those corrections with the Iowa Cubs in 2023, he could still reach his potential.
11. Ethan Roberts
Roberts will likely miss a bulk of the 2023 season as he continues to recover from Tommy John Surgery.
12. Julian Merryweather
Merryweather provides the Cubs pitching staff with something they desperately lacked in 2022 and that is velocity as he features a fastball that can reach the upper 90s.
13. Michael Rucker
Rucker became a favorite of Cubs' manager David Ross in 2022 and posted a 3.95 ERA in 41 appearances.
![Sep 30, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson (41) delivers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gp6gasxjd18kywhnrj.jpg)
14. Adrian Sampson
Sampson has been a pleasant surprise for the Cubs over the course of the past two seasons and he posted a 3.11 ERA while pitching predominantly out of the starting rotation in 2022.
15. Drew Smyly
Smyly returned to the Cubs on a two-year deal this offseason and likely will serve as a swing-man for the team between their starting rotation and bullpen.
16. Justin Steele
Steele was dominant during the 2022 second half and 2023 could be the season where he emerges as the true ace of the Cubs' starting rotation.
17. Marcus Stroman
Stroman appeared to find his footing in the second half of his first season with the Cubs and that could pave the way for consistent success in 2023 for the team.
18. Jameson Taillon
Taillon was the big free-agent pitcher signing for the Cubs and he likely will slot toward the top of the team's rotation in 2023 as the team looks to begin the season with more consistency from the top half of their rotation.
![Sep 21, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson (right) and Chicago Cubs](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gp6jakbavqtmjj2k7z.jpg)
19. Keegan Thompson
Thompson was a bright spot for the Cubs in 2022 and the expectation in 2023 is that he will serve a multi-inning reliever for the team.
20. Hayden Wesneski
Wesneski was brilliant in his run at the Major League level to end the 2022 season and that could have paved the way for him to break camp in 2023 in the Major League starting rotation.
21. Rowan Wick
Wick has struggled in each of the past two seasons and it would seem that the door to him being the long-term closer out of the Cubs' bullpen has closed.
22. Miguel Amaya
2023 will be an important season for Amaya as the Cubs' catching prospect is expected to be fully healthy at the start of Spring Training and a return to catching duties should be in play.
23. Tucker Barnhart
Barnhart was added by the Cubs on a two-year deal this offseason and likely will split time at the catching position with Yan Gomes.
![Oct 4, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner (2) reacts after hitting a](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gp6jz5jfqdsepx7g44.jpg)
24. Yan Gomes
After finding success with how he managed the Cubs' pitching staff in 2022, Gomes likely will receive a bulk of the starts in 2023 as the team's catcher.
25. Eric Hosmer
Hosmer joins the Cubs after being a rumored trade target for much of the past two seasons. Hosmer gives the Cubs a veteran presence at first base with prospect Matt Mervis not far off from the Major League level.
26. Trey Mancini
The draw to Mancini for the Cubs is the power that he has in his bat as he is capable of hitting 20 home runs in a season with relative ease. Expect Mancini to serve mostly as the Cubs' designated hitter in 2023 though he will see time at first and the corner outfield spots.
27. Nico Hoerner
Hoerner cemented himself as part of the next contending core of the Cubs in 2022 and enters 2023 as the team's starting second baseman and likely will be the team's leadoff hitter to begin the season.
28. Nick Madrigal
It remains unclear what role Madrigal will have on the Cubs in 2023 as he is without a starting position with Hoerner moving over to second base.
29. Miles Mastrobuoni
The Cubs acquired Mastrobuoni in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last November and the second baseman by trade is likely to begin the season with the Iowa Cubs.
30. Zach McKinstry
After showing a preference to keep McKinstry on the 40-man roster this offseason, there is a good chance that the Cubs plan to utilize the former Los Angeles Dodger as a utility infielder in 2023.
![Chicago Cubs Introduce Dansby Swanson](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/GettyImages/mmsport/9/01gp6kgngqznp54tz0v9.jpg)
31. Dansby Swanson
By signing a seven-year deal worth $177MM with the Cubs this offseason, Swanson instantly became the face of the franchise and signals the shift toward winning being the objective at the Major League level for the team.
32. Patrick Wisdom
After hitting at least 25 home runs in each of the past two seasons with the Cubs, Wisdom enters 2023 likely as the team's third baseman though that is dependent on what other moves are made this offseason.
33. Kevin Alcantara
Alcantara hit 15 home runs in his first full season within the Cubs' system in 2022 and could be primed for a breakout season in 2023 with the possibility of reaching Double-A Tennessee.
34. Cody Bellinger
The 2019 National League MVP joins the Cubs in 2023 with the goal of rebuilding his offensive value.
35. Alexander Canario
After suffering a shoulder and ankle injury during a Dominican Winter League game last Fall, Canario will likely miss a significant portion of the 2023 season as he recovers.
![Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) prepares to bat in the first inning of the MLB game](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/w_480/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/9/01gp6mkfk7dssvxqmsmg.jpg)
36. Brennen Davis
A back injury led to a washed season for Davis in 2022 but he is entering 2022 with no restrictions and could restock his value as one of the team's top prospects with a hot start with the Iowa Cubs.
37. Ian Happ
Ian Happ is entering the final season of team control with the Cubs and could be a trade candidate if the Cubs are out of contention by the time that the Major League Baseball trade deadline arrives.
38. Christopher Morel
Morel was one of Major League Baseball's most exciting rookies in 2022 and despite a majority of his starts last season coming in the outfield, 2023 could see him emerge as the team's primary third baseman.
39. Seiya Suzuki
With a full season of Major League Baseball under his belt, 2023 could be the season where Suzuki begins to reach his full potential and shows glimpses of being the superstar that he was in Japan.
Ian Happ's current contract projections . dark. Next
40. Nelson Velazquez
Velazquez still has promising offensive potential but the goal for him in 2023 should be to get regular playing time and that likely will come with the Iowa Cubs.