Cubs Option Christopher Morel, Outright Rowan Wick to AAA

David Ross has been hinting for some time now that Christopher Morel might not have a spot on the big league roster and that was confirmed Monday when the Cubs optioned Morel to Triple-A Iowa. Between that and the trade of Zach McKinstry to Detroit, it appears that Miles Mastrobuoni will make the Opening Day roster.

That wasn’t the only move the Cubs made Monday, as reliever Rowan Wick was outrighted to Iowa after clearing waivers. Removing Wick from the 40-man clears a spot for the Cubs to add a non-roster player, so we’ll find out shortly who that will be. The rotation is set and the position player group has firmed up, now the bullpen is coming into clearer focus as well.

Couple more Cubs moves:

– Rowan Wick has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Iowa

– Christopher Morel has been optioned to Iowa

— Ryan Herrera (@ryan_a_herrera) March 27, 2023

With just one more spring game remaining, expect to get some more clarity around the 26-man roster very soon.

Update: I’m on spring break and trying to play catch-up, so there are some additional details to include. Mike Tauchman, who looked like the choice to handle right a good chunk of the time Seiya Suzuki is out, is no longer in big league camp. Mastrobuoni can handle some of those reps, but Suzuki should be back soon.

Javier Assad will be in the bullpen, so there’s absolutely no concern with length from the relief corps. The spot cleared by removing Wick could go to lefty Ryan Borucki, especially since Brandon Hughes is the only other lefty and may open the season on the IL.

Mark Leiter Jr. could also earn that spot as he has proven adept at stifling right-handed batters with his splitter. Michael Rucker is also a good bet for the ‘pen.

As Alex Cohen noted during the Cubs/Sox broadcast, catcher Luis Torrens will get a roster spot as well. I’m surprised by that move and had to apologize to my son, who I chided after hearing him say Torrens would make it.