Chicago Cubs: 1 major Opening Day roster dilemma

It is early February, which means Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers report soon, spring training games are right around the corner, and the Opening Series in Tokyo is approximately six weeks away.  Despite all of this, Jed Hoyer appears to not be done making roster adjustments as rumors indicate he is still heavily engaged in the Alex Bregman market as well as in trade discussions with the San Diego Padres.

However, should Hoyer stand pat and the roster not change prior to Opening Day, there is one dilemma that emerges when projecting what the roster may look like upon the start of the regular season.  That issue comes in the bullpen and revolves around four pitchers not having any minor league options left.

Which Chicago Cubs pitchers are out of minor league options for 2025?

Specifically in the bullpen, four Cubs members of the 40-man roster are out of minor league options.  This means that should they not break camp with the team, they will have to be exposed to waivers before potentially remaining with the team in the minor leagues.  Other possibilities include them rejecting that assignment and electing free agency.  The four pitchers out of minor league options are:

• RHP Tyson Miller
• RHP Julian Merryweather
• LHP Rob Zastryzny
• RHP Keegan Thompson

Of note, LHP Caleb Thielbar does not have any minor league options, but was signed to a $2.75 million contract this off-season, making him a lock for the Opening Day roster.  Additionally, pitcher Caleb Kilian was granted an extra minor league option earlier this off-season.

How many pitchers can make the Opening Day roster?  

The maximum number of pitchers that can be on the active 26-man roster is 13.  With five of those spots going to starting pitchers, that leaves room for eight more pitchers.  Numbers get even tighter when you consider that locks outside of Thielbar include Colin Rea (starter or reliever), Ryan Pressly, and Porter Hodge.

Who gets left off the Opening Day roster? 

At Fansided, writer Michael Brakebill also looked at this dilemma.  Brakebill included Keegan Thompson, Nate Pearson, Eli Morgan, and Tyson Miller as the other pitchers on his Opening Day roster projection.  This means that Julian Merryweather and Rob Zastryzny were left off.  There is a way to keep Merryweather, but that subsequently means optioning someone else.

If the Cubs wish to keep Merryweather, that means optioning one of Morgan, Pearson, Hodge or Assad, or DFAing/trading elsewhere. None of those four names deserve to start in Triple-A Iowa, and if you’re rolling with the most productive group, it’s those listed.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this dilemma.  Of course, spring training injuries can create opportunity, but the Cubs may also not be done adding to their big league roster yet.  A lot can happen between now and mid-march, but for now this is a situation to keep in mind.