The Cubs made their first round of cuts at spring training on Saturday, trimming the roster at camp from 69 to 54.
The 15 cuts are really just re-assignments for the Cubs minor leaguers, but the team did let go of one veteran pitcher. Right-hander Rob Schaill, who the Cubs signed in the offseason to a minor-league deal, was released by the team.
Some of the bigger names cut from camp include pitchers Adbert Alzolay, Jen-Ho Tseng, Oscar De La Cruz and Justin Steele. They were optioned to Triple-A and Double-A, respectively.
Alzolay, Tseng optioned to Iowa, De La Cruz, Steele optioned to Tennessee; Duncan Robinson, Ian Clarkin, Alberto Baldonado, Craig Brooks, Carlos Ramirez, Colin Rea, Ian Rice, Charcer Burks, Evan Marzilli, Jacob Hannemann assigned to minor league camp. Scahill granted release.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 9, 2019
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And the good news about Alzolay being optioned to Triple-A is that it means he’s healthy! The right-hander was setback a couple of weeks at the start of spring training in February because he felt something on his side. He missed the majority of the 2018 season with a lat strain, so the Cubs were being extremely cautious with the young pitcher last month.
Good news: the option means Alzolay is healthy again. As I learned reading TCR this week (sent out link Fri AM), you can’t option a player down who is presently injured. Which is reason they rush to get the 4 mentioned here optioned — can’t risk them getting hurt w/ big lg pay. https://t.co/4ruCZ1oxeU
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) March 9, 2019
As for the group of players assigned to minor league camp, it’s basically the same as being optioned.
So, Scahill, 32, was the only player that was truly cut from the Cubs and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s still relatively early in spring training, so it gives him time to try and find another spot with a different team.
Scahill has pitched for the Rockies, Pirates, Brewers and most recently the White Sox in 2018. He made his MLB debut in 2012, and has posted a 3.85 ERA in 149.2 innings.
