MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs’ latest spring training camp cuts, reducing the spring training roster from 43 players to 36 on Sunday, included the club optioning right-hander Manuel Rodríguez to Triple-A Iowa.
The bulk of the players cut were pitchers, filling out the I-Cubs’ pitching staff. The Cubs signed nine pitchers this spring, mostly veteran relievers, leaving fewer spots for non-roster invitees to compete for.
The Cubs assigned six non-roster invitees to Triple-A on Sunday, including right-handers Adrian Sampson, Mark Leiter Jr., Eric Yardley and Cayne Ueckert.