The Cubs announced the Non-Roster Invitees to Spring Training.
The Cubs have invited 24 non-roster players to Spring
Training, including top prospects Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Albert
Almora.
Cubs pitchers and catchers will report on Feb. 13 to the team's new
facility in Mesa, Ariz., and have their first workout the next day.
Position players are set to report on Feb. 18, with new manager Rick
Renteria's first full squad workout scheduled for Feb. 19.
Among the pitchers invited to Major League camp are right-handers
Marcus Hatley, Kyle Hendricks, Carlos Pimentel, Armando Rivero and Brian
Schlitter, and lefties Tommy Hottovy, Eric Jokisch, Jonathan Sanchez
and Tsuyoshi Wada. Hendricks was the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2013.
Five infielders were invited, including Baez, Bryant, Ryan Roberts,
Chris Valaika and Jeudy Valdez.
The list of outfielders invited includes
Almora, Chris Coghlan, Aaron Cunningham, Ryan Kalish, Mitch Maier, Darnell McDonald, and Casper Wells.
Kalish, 25, a left-handed-hitting outfielder, was voted the Red Sox's
Rookie of the Year in 2010. He's coming off surgery on his right
shoulder in January 2013, which was followed by cervical fusion surgery
last August, similar to a procedure Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton
Manning underwent.
Catchers John Baker, Rafael Lopez and Eli Whiteside also are on the
list of non-roster invitees. The Cubs said Minor League catchers Luis
Flores and Will Remillard also will assist at times in big league camp.
These players are in addition to those on the 40 man roster, including Jorge Soler.
The NRIs are showcasing for possibly one or two spots on the final opening day roster. The Cubs core prospects (Baez, Bryant, Almora, Soler) are going to stay in the minors in 2014, but their appearance in Mesa is to showcase them to increase fan interest in the future Cubs.
