Cubs outright six players, leaving 40-man roster at 37

MESA, Ariz. -- Outfielder Darnell McDonald, catcher J.C. Boscan and right-handed pitcher Trey McNutt cleared waivers, and were outrighted off the Cubs' 40-man roster Wednesday.

The Cubs also announced outfielder Thomas Neal, and right-handed pitchers Rafael Dolis and Zach Putnam were activated from the 60-day disabled list, cleared waivers and were outrighted off the team's 40-man roster.

With the moves, the Cubs' 40-man roster stands at 37 players.

McDonald, 34, spent most of 2013 at Triple-A Iowa. He hit .302 in 25 games with the Cubs. Boscan, 33, also spent the majority of the season at Iowa, where he hit .232 in 74 games, and appeared in six games with the Cubs in September.

McNutt, 24, pitched 27 games in relief at Double-A Tennessee, compiling a 4.60 ERA in 31 1/3 innings. The 32nd-round Draft pick from 2009 showed great promise after going 10-1 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts in '10, but was slowed by injuries. He never reached Triple-A.

Putnam, 26, appeared in 17 games at Triple-A Iowa and five with the Cubs, all in relief, before he was shut down with a bone spur in his right elbow. Dolis, 25, made five appearances with the Cubs before he was placed on the disabled list June 1 with a strained right forearm.

Neal's stay with the Cubs was brief. The 26-year-old outfielder was selected off waivers from the Yankees on Aug. 5, appeared in two games with the Cubs on Aug. 6-7, but had to leave the second game in the seventh inning after dislocating his right shoulder making a throw.