MESA, Ariz. – The second phase of the Cubs’ season is set to begin, following the Tokyo Series earlier this month against the Dodgers. With Opening Day’s arrival for all of baseball, the North Siders had to reshuffle aspects of their roster on Thursday.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner is back for the Cubs after missing the trip to Japan due to a build-up from offseason surgery on his right forearm.
The Cubs also placed right-handed relievers Ryan Brasier (left groin strain) and Tyson Miller (left hip impingement) on the 15-day injured list, while utility man Vidal Bruján (right elbow sprain) landed on the 10-day IL. Those moves helped righty Brad Keller (non-roster invitee) and utility man Gage Workman (Rule 5 pick) make the 26-man squad.
The Cubs also recalled righty Eli Morgan from Triple-A Iowa, and designated right-hander Cody Poteet for assignment to open a spot to select Keller’s contract.
Here is the Cubs’ 26-man roster for the domestic opener:
Catcher (2): Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
Amaya recorded the Cubs’ first RBI of the ‘25 season on Opening Day in Tokyo, and the team can hope that is a sign of things to come for the catcher. Coming off a breakout second-half last year, Amaya will split time behind the dish with the veteran Kelly (signed to a two-year deal).
First baseman (1): Michael Busch
In his rookie campaign in ‘24, Busch displayed a steady bat and made a smooth transition to first base with plus defensive play. Expect him to get the bulk of the time at first base again, with veteran Justin Turner also getting action at the position.
Second baseman (1): Nico Hoerner
Hoerner spent the bulk of this spring building up in a throwing program, following October surgery to address a flexor tendon issue in his right forearm. He ramped up his game action late and, while he missed the Tokyo Series, was deemed ready for the domestic opener.
Shortstop (1): Dansby Swanson
Swanson has made a string of defensive gems throughout the spring, showing no ill effects from the core-muscle surgery he underwent in October. The veteran shortstop is entering his third season under the seven-year, $177 million contract he signed with the North Siders.
Third baseman (1): Matt Shaw
The Cubs plan on giving the 23-year-old Shaw the chance to develop at the Major League level as the regular third baseman. Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 19 on the Top 100, Shaw got the nod for the Tokyo Series and should be on the NL Rookie of the Year watch list.
Outfielders (3): Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker
The Cubs acquired Tucker in a blockbuster trade with the Astros over the offseason to bring his impact bat and strong glove into the fold. He is joined by a potential Gold Glover in center in Pete Crow-Armstrong, who turned a real offensive corner down the stretch last year. Happ offers both a veteran presence and a source of stability both atop the lineup and as a three-time Glove Glove winner in left.
DH (1): Seiya Suzuki
Once the Cubs reeled in Tucker, that pushed Suzuki out of the starting outfield trio and into designated-hitter duties. Suzuki can still offer depth in both outfield corners and is an option for center field, if necessary. He and Tucker will likely be moved between the Nos. 2-3 slots in the lineup at the start of the season.
Bench/Utility (3): Jon Berti, Justin Turner, Gage Workman
Berti filled in at second base in Tokyo while Hoerner was temporarily sidelined, but can now revert back to a utility role all over the infield. Turner gives the Cubs depth for the infield corners and DH, but he also brings a veteran bat for pinch-hit opportunities. Workman (Rule 5 pick) really impressed the Cubs this spring offensively and defensively, earning a shot to stick with the MLB group. He can play multiple infield and outfield positions and offers lefty pop off the bench.
Starting Pitchers (5): Matthew Boyd, Ben Brown, Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon
The Cubs needed only two starters for the Tokyo Series and handed the ball to Imanaga and Steele for that trip. For the start of the domestic season, they will be joined by Taillon and Boyd as the main foursome to lead the rotation. Given Brown’s high ceiling and clean bill of health – following a ‘24 campaign cut short due to a persistent neck issue – he found his way to the starting staff to begin the year.
Relief Pitchers (8): Porter Hodge, Brad Keller, Julian Merryweather, Eli Morgan, Nate Pearson, Ryan Pressly, Colin Rea, Caleb Thielbar
The Cubs traded for the veteran Pressly over the offseason, bringing an experienced late-inning arm for the closer’s vacancy. Hodge also found his way to the ninth inning in ‘24 and should get chances to close games again as well. Pearson and Merryweather look like solid setup options, while Thielbar and Morgan were also brought in over the offseason to deepen the group. Rea is a swing-man who could be a backup plan for the rotation. Keller earned a spot as a non-roster invitee with an impressive spring.