The Chicago Cubs have made a key decision regarding their Opening Day roster, opting to send promising outfield prospect Kevin Alcántara to Triple-A Iowa. This move clarifies the bench picture as the Cubs gear up for the start of the season.
With Alcántara headed to the minors, Michael Conforto is locked in for the Opening Day roster, especially with Seiya Suzuki sidelined on the 10-day injured list. This opens the door for another free-agent outfielder, who impressed during spring training, to join the team.
Dylan Carlson seems to have secured his spot on the roster, essentially edging out Alcántara. This leaves one bench spot up for grabs, with Scott Kingery in the mix. The Cubs are also exploring external options to strengthen their lineup before the season kicks off.
The team has hinted at adding another infielder, ensuring Matt Shaw isn't the sole backup. Kingery, despite a dip in performance since 2019, offers versatility across the infield and still has minor league options available.
According to projections, Kingery is likely to make the roster as the fourth bench player, adding depth and flexibility to the Cubs’ lineup.
As the Cubs prepare to face the Washington Nationals at home for their 2026 opener, their 26-man roster is shaping up as follows:
Position Players:
- Carson Kelly, Miguel Amaya, Moises Ballesteros
- Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, Matt Shaw, Scott Kingery
- Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson
Pitchers:
- Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shōta Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, Jameson Taillon
- Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Jacob Webb, Hoby Milner, Caleb Thielbar, Hunter Harvey, Phil Maton, Daniel Palencia
The final roster spot could see Kingery as the 26th man, unless the Cubs make a strategic move, such as a waiver claim or a minor trade, to bolster their infield options. The countdown to Opening Day is on, and the Cubs are fine-tuning their lineup for a competitive start.