Cubs Reduce Spring Roster From 59 to 54 Players

The Cubs have made their second round of roster cuts today, with five pitchers taken off the spring roster.

As with the last group of roster changes, there aren’t any surprises. Jack Neely saw some time in the big leagues last season but wasn’t on pace to make the team out of Spring Training this year. He’s been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, along with Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Kilian, and Cody Poteet.

The roster now has 54 players, with 23 more reductions coming before the team heads to Tokyo in less than three weeks. The Cubs will bring 31 players to Tokyo, which includes a five-man taxi squad.

Here’s the full media release from the Cubs:

MESA, Ariz. – The Chicago Cubs today reduced the spring roster from 59 to 54 players.

Right-handed pitchers Gavin Hollowell, Caleb Kilian, Jack Neely and Cody Poteet have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Left-handed pitcher Riley Martin has been returned to minor league camp.

Chicago’s spring roster of 54 players consists of 28 pitchers (eight non-roster invitees), six catchers (four non-roster invitees), 12 infielders (four non-roster invitees) and eight outfielders (three non-roster invitees).