The Chicago Cubs are putting the finishing touches on their 25-man roster for Opening Day and with it comes the release of veteran outfielder Peter Bourjos.
The 30-year-old outfielder was up for consideration to be added to the Cubs roster as late as this week, when the team was debating whether to have 12 or 13 pitchers on staff. However, on Friday Joe Maddon confirmed the Cubs will go ahead and begin the season with eight bullpen pitchers, leaving guys like Bourjos with no spot to win.
Bourjos left Friday’s game early with a minor leg injury and then Patrick Mooney broke the news of the release.
Peter Bourjos left the game with a left calf cramp but he's ok
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 23, 2018
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Source: Going with eight-man bullpen, #Cubs are releasing Peter Bourjos as the veteran outfielder intends to look for a big-league job after a strong spring.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 23, 2018
The Cubs simply have too many good players, so it was a long shot that Bourjos would make the roster out of spring training. He has positioned himself to catch on with another team though, as Mooney mentioned that the right-handed hitter has had a solid spring training.
Bourjos batted .317 and had a .356 OBP with the Cubs in the Cactus League, playing in 17 games.
The eight-year veteran has played with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and last year played for the Tampa Bay Rays. Bourjos is a career .241 hitter with 42 home runs in just over 2,000 MLB at bats.
