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Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong: Inks extension with Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs and Crow-Armstrong reached an agreement on a multi-year contract extension Monday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
The details of the extension are not yet known, and the deal is still pending a medical review, per Mooney. Crow-Armstrong is coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he hammered 31 home runs and swiped 35 bags in 157 games. His patience is expected to pay off tremendously, after he declined to participate in extension talks ahead of the 2025 season. With his finances now in order, the 23-year-old can focus solely on putting together another terrific campaign as Chicago's everyday center fielder.
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Cubs' Kevin Alcantara: Beginning 2026 at Triple-A
Rotowire
Alcantara was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, per MLB's transactions log.
Alcantara failed to secure a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster and will now report to Triple-A, where he'll open the 2026 campaign. He slashed .266/.348/.468 with 17 home runs, 69 RBI, eight stolen bases and 56 runs a year ago with Iowa and should be in the running for a promotion later in the year.
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Cubs' Ethan Conrad: To miss some time
Rotowire
Conrad (back) is expected to miss roughly the first month of the minor-league season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
The Cubs selected Conrad with the 17th overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, but the young outfielder didn't make his pro debut last year as he recovered from shoulder surgery he had toward the end of his collegiate career. Conrad will now wait a little longer to take the field as he deals with an unspecified lower-back issue. The 21-year-old is considered a fairly polished offensive prospect, and the team will likely be cautious to not rush him back after an extended layoff.
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Cubs' Michael Conforto: Makes Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Cubs informed Conforto on Sunday that he would be on the team's Opening Day roster, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
This was widely expected in recent days, particularly with Seiya Suzuki battling a knee injury. With Suzuki officially headed to the injured list to begin the regular season, Conforto's roster spot became secure. The veteran outfielder has taken a bit of a step back from a contact perspective the past few years, including in 2025, when he sported just a .199 batting average and .638 OPS across 138 regular-season games for the Dodgers. Conforto still has a little pop in his bat, however, having blasted 32 home runs across the last two seasons combined. He could be a short-term fantasy option if he gets off to a good start, though Suzuki's eventual return will cut into Conforto's overall value.
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Cubs' Ben Brown: Makes Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Brown will be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Brown's last two Cactus League appearances came in relief and totaled three innings, and it's in the bullpen where he's expected to open the 2026 campaign. He could be used as a multi-inning reliever initially, but Brown has the ability to work his way into a more integral role, either as a high-leverage bullpen option or as a starting pitcher if a need arises.
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Cubs' Javier Assad: Sent to minors
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Marquee Sports Network reports.
Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki: Beginning season on injured list
Rotowire
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Suzuki (knee) will begin the season on the injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.
Counsell had previously ruled Suzuki out for Opening Day and has now confirmed that the outfielder will require an IL stint as he recuperates from a strained PCL in his right knee. It is not expected to be a long-term absence, but Michael Conforto should start in right field versus right-handed pitching while Suzuki is shelved.
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Cubs' Corbin Martin: Falls short in roster bid
Rotowire
The Cubs reassigned Martin to minor-league camp Sunday.
Martin made 17 appearances in the big leagues with Baltimore in 2025, but he lost his spot on the 40-man roster in September and then signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter. The veteran righty was unable to secure a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Iowa.
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Cubs' Collin Snider: Sent to minors camp
Rotowire
The Cubs reassigned Snider to minor-league camp Sunday.
Snider made 24 regular-season appearances in the big leagues with Seattle in 2025, but he lost his spot on the 40-man roster in August and then signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter. The veteran righty was unable to secure a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Iowa.
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Cubs' Michael Conforto: Expected to make OD roster
Rotowire
The Cubs plan to add Conforto to their Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
With Seiya Suzuki (knee) set to miss the start of the regular season, Conforto now figures to be the favorite to start in right field on Opening Day. His path to playing time will be much less clear once Suzuki returns, however, as Conforto will likely move into a reserve role while making an occasional appearance as a DH. Since he signed with the Cubs in late February, the 33-year-old has slashed .241/.290/.345 with one RBI and two runs scored through 29 plate appearances in the Cactus League.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki: Won't be ready for Opening Day
Rotowire
Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Suzuki (knee) will not be ready in time for Opening Day, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Counsell added that the team still hasn't decided whether to place Suzuki on the injured list, but the Cubs may play it safe and give the slugging outfielder all the time he needs to ensure he's fully healthy when he makes his season debut. Either way, Suzuki sitting down means that Michael Conforto will likely open the season as Chicago's starting right fielder, as the latter is expected to be included on the Opening Day roster.
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Cubs' Seiya Suzuki: Resumes light activity
Rotowire
Suzuki (knee) has resumed light throwing and hitting as the Cubs determine if an IL stint will be necessary to start the regular season, MLB.com reports.
Suzuki sustained a sprained PCL in his right knee during Team Japan's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal loss to Venezuela on March 14. The organization will likely decide sometime over the weekend if the outfielder will be ready in time for Opening Day. Even if Suzuki does need to spend some time on the injured list early in the season, manager Craig Counsell said he thinks it will be a fairly short-term issue, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
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Cubs' Christian Bethancourt: Does not make roster
Rotowire
The Cubs informed Bethancourt that he did not make the major-league roster out of camp, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Bethancourt joined the Cubs back in December on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. With Chicago keeping all of Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya and Moises Ballesteros on its Opening Day roster, there simply was no room for Bethancourt. The veteran catcher instead will likely head to Triple-A Iowa, where he'll give the team organizational depth.
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Cubs' Moises Ballesteros: To make Opening Day roster
Rotowire
Ballesteros was informed Friday that he will be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Ballesteros impressed in his MLB debut last season, slashing .298/.394/.474 across 66 plate appearances. The 22-year-old hasn't skipped a beat this spring, going 11-for-31 (.355) with two home runs, two doubles and eight RBI. Ballesteros has the inside track to begin the season as the Cubs' DH, but with fellow catchers Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya on the team, opportunities behind the plate will likely be limited.
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Cubs' Ethan Roberts: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Roberts will start the 2026 season at Triple-A despite having a strong camp. The right-hander posted a 1.50 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across six innings this spring. He appeared in 10 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025.
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Cubs' Gavin Hollowell: Starting 2026 at Triple-A
Rotowire
The Cubs optioned Hollowell to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.
Hollowell will fall short of making the Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old appeared in seven regular-season games last season and posted a 2.57 ERA with a 12:2 K:BB across seven innings this spring.
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