The Chicago Cubs have finalized their 2025 Opening Day roster following a series of moves that required some 40-man tinkering. The team also placed three more players on the injured list.
Cody Poteet had been designated for assignment, which solves the mystery of who the Cubs were going to remove from the 40-man roster to make room for Brad Keller. Poteet was the pitcher acquired in the Cody Bellinger trade.
#Cubs DFA Pitcher Acquired in Cody Bellinger Tradehttps://t.co/GQYo7xRv5w
— ✶ Sports Mockery ✶ (@sportsmockery) March 27, 2025
Meanwhile, two relievers have officially been placed on the 15-day injured list.
Tyson Miller: left hip impingement - retroactive to March 21
Ryan Brasier: left groin strain - retroactive to March 25
That means Eli Morgan, who was technically optioned to Triple-A last week after the team returned from Japan, has been called back up and placed on the active roster.
As for the starting rotation, right-hander Javier Assad is still progressing in Arizona after his spring training was stalled because of an oblique strain. That opened door for Ben Brown, who was named the team's No. 5 starter to begin the regular season. Brown's addition to the rotation has pushed veteran Colin Rea to the bullpen for now.
One more injury to note as switch-hitting utility man Vidal Bruján is on the 10-day injured list because of a right elbow sprain. He suffered that injury this past weekend, when Bruján collided with the outfield wall during a spring training game. For now, the final bench spot has been solved and it's Rule 5 draft pick Gage Workman.
The 25-year-old was selected by the Cubs from the Tigers in last December's Rule 5 Draft. Workman entered camp competing for a bench spot and he earned it with great defensive play at third base, while showing off versatility at other positions. The left-handed hitter also put together a great performance at the plate, posting an 1.125 OPS in 44 plate appearances.
Workman is going from Double-A straight to the majors.
Just a few players to go from Double-A straight to MLB.
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) March 27, 2025
Ken Griffey Jr.
Juan Soto
GAGE TATER WORKMANpic.twitter.com/DhPy6pKrym
2025 Cubs Opening Day Roster
Pitchers:
(Bullpen): Colin Rea, Brad Keller, Nate Pearson, Caleb Thielbar, Eli Morgan, Julian Merryweather, Porter Hodge, Ryan Pressly
(Starting Rotation): Shōta Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, Ben Brown
Position Players:
(Catchers): Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly
(Infielders): Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Matt Shaw, Justin Turner, Jon Berti, Gage Workman
(Outfielders): Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki
