Story by Al
Yellon 
The Cubs announced their first round of roster cuts Wednesday afternoon,
and they include some injured players who haven’t played at all in
spring games.
Outfielder Owen Caissie has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Caissie has
been out with a groin injury and will start 2025, whenever he’s ready,
at Iowa.
Outfielder Brett Bateman and right-handed pitchers Brandon Birdsell and
Antonio Santos have been returned to minor league camp.
Bateman has a hamate injury which will require surgery and he’ll miss
all of spring camp. He’ll likely start the year at extended spring
training.
The Cubs’ spring roster of 59 players consists of 33 pitchers (nine
non-roster invitees), six catchers (four non-roster invitees), 12
infielders (four non-roster invitees) and eight outfielders (three
non-roster invitees).
I would expect the next round of roster cuts to come sometime around the
middle of next week, when the Cubs have a scheduled off day.
