Chicago Cubs 2026 Opening Day Roster Projection, v 2.0

[Andrew Wright]

Image courtesy of © David Banks-Imagn Images

It's been a little over a month since our first 2026 roster projection for the Chicago Cubs, and there's been some notable changes since then. No major offensive additions have been made, but Jed Hoyer and Co. have made strong attempts to field another great bullpen next season. With all of the team's new additions accounted for, here is the second prediction at the Cubs' Opening Day roster.

Pitchers (13)

• Shota Imanaga - SP
• Matthew Boyd - SP
• Cade Horton - SP
• Jameson Taillon - SP
• Colin Rea - SP
   
• Javier Assad - RP
• Phil Maton - RP
• Caleb Thielbar - RP
• Porter Hodge - RP
• Hoby Milner - RP
• Jacob Webb - RP
• Hunter Harvey - RP
• Daniel Palencia - RP

The additions of Milner, Harvey and Webb all happened since our first projection. Those three likely signal that pitchers such as Luke Little, Ethan Roberts and others will begin the season with Triple-A Iowa. Also, not included on the list is Justin Steele. Steele is slated to return near the summer months of the season, and he will certainly be a factor down the stretch in the rotation.

For now, the big question is who will win the No. 5 starter job in a fierce competition among Colin Rea, Javier Assad, Ben Brown, Jordan Wicks, and top prospect Jaxon Wiggins.

Catchers (2)

• Carson Kelly
• Miguel Amaya

Nothing significant has changed at catcher. Chicago did sign Christian Bethancourt to a split contract, but he will likely be a non-factor on the major-league roster unless Amaya or Kelly is injured during the season.

Infielders (5)

• Michael Busch - 1B
• Tyler Austin - 1B
• Nico Hoerner - 2B
• Dansby Swanson - SS
• Matt Shaw - 3B

In our first prediction, we guessed that the Cubs would add utility man Luis Urias for the fifth infielder spot. That is no longer the case with the addition of 34-year-old Tyler Austin. Austin has spent the previous six seasons in Japan and will likely be the platoon option at first base with Busch.

Outfielders (5)

• Ian Happ
• Pete Crow-Armstrong
• Seiya Suzuki
• Owen Caissie
• Kevin Alcantara 

We predicted Rob Refsnyder to be on the North Side in our first edition of the roster projection, but that can no longer be true as he headed out West to Seattle. There doesn't seem to be much traction surrounding the Cubs and available outfielders — save for some loose rumors connecting them back to Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker — so we're likely headed toward Caissie and Alcantara getting those two reserve outfield spots.

Designated Hitter (1)

• Moises Ballesteros

No change here, as it seems likely that Ballesteros and Suzuki will have some sort of platoon situation going at DH depending on the pitching matchups and what happens with Caissie in spring training.

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These predictions are always subject to change with major offseason acquisitions, but as of now, this is our best guess at what the team will look like come Opening Day against the Washington Nationals.

Do you think we missed anybody? Let us know in the comments below!

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[Jeff Alson]

Obviously, the Cubs have to have a reserve who can play at least one of the 3B/SS/2B positions. Hoerner and Shaw have the flexibility to play multiple positions, but they can't give Swanson a day off unless somebody else can backfill behind them.  The only option with the proposed roster is that Busch would play some 2B and/or 3B, but I think that is extremely unlikely.