Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees, Jersey Number Changes And More Cubs Notes

Cubs pitchers and catchers report to Mesa next Tuesday and today the team announced their non-roster spring training invitees.

There are 21 NRI and all that means is that this group of players is made of guys who aren’t already on the 40-man roster. The biggest name is Brandon Morrow, who signed a minor-league deal to return to the Cubs this offseason. Morrow is one of 12 pitchers who will head to big league camp along with:

Jason Adam
Oscar De La Cruz
Dakota Mekkes
Caleb Simpson
Brock Stewart
Ben Taylor
Rex Brothers
Danny Hultzen
Tyler Olson
C.D. Pelham
Wyatt Short

Will we finally see Morrow pitch for the first time since July 2018?!?! Again, we shouldn’t be hoping or expecting anything from Morrow, but it sure would be fun if he got healthy again.

Meanwhile, there are nine position players also headed to Cubs camp and if the team doesn’t sign anyone else before Opening Day you could see one of the infielders win that 26th roster spot.

Infielders:
 Carlos Asuaje
Trent Giambrone
Corban Joseph
Hernán Pérez
Outfielders:
Noel Cuevas
Ian Miller
Catchers:
P.J. Higgins
Jhonny Pereda
Josh Phegley

The Cubs have reportedly have had interest in left-handed hitting second basemen Scooter Gennett and Jason Kipnis. We’ll see if either of those two arrive down in Mesa during the next six weeks.

The Reds officially announced the signing of former Cubs reliever Pedro Strop on Wednesday. The Cubs released a video tribute for one of the best relievers in team history.

And with Strop gone Craig Kimbrel will once again go back to #46.

As for other jersey number changes, new Cubs manager David Ross will get his #3 back, with Daniel Descalso being #33.

The Cubs will report to spring training next week down in Arizona and they’ll have their first Cactus League game on Feb. 22, against the A’s. It’ll be on the Marquee Sports Network, but as of now still no deal with Comcast.

Oh yeah, there are still more Kris Bryant trade rumors.