{"id":151002,"date":"2026-02-10T06:49:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T06:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002"},"modified":"2026-02-10T06:49:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T06:49:46","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8breaking-chicago-cubs-extend-nonroster-invitations-to-18-players-for-spring-training-and-one-of-them-could-be-the-next-big-surprise-with-camp-just-around-the-corner-these-unde","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Chicago Cubs extend nonroster invitations to 18 players for spring training \u2014 and one of them could be the next big surprise! With camp just around the corner, these under-the-radar talents are itching for a chance to impress. Could a hidden gem rise from this group and make an unexpected impact on the Cubs\u2019 2026 season? Stay tuned, this spring could reveal more than expected \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"645\">invitations present a significant opportunity for players who aren&#8217;t yet on the Cubs&#8217; 40-man roster but are looking to make an impact in the organization.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"645\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/_J9a4LxGNS_a3N.qqXd3Fw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQxNjtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/chicago_tribune_local_801\/ffc98b5e5cdd4ca3280ff193d7a0ac2a\" alt=\"Chicago Cubs extend nonroster invitations to 18 players for spring training  - Yahoo Sports\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"647\" data-end=\"1081\">As spring training approaches, these non-roster players will be working hard to make their mark, with their performance during workouts and games playing a crucial role in whether they secure a spot on the major league roster. The Cubs know that they will need contributions this season from players who might not yet be household names, and this spring training offers the perfect platform for those individuals to prove themselves.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1083\" data-end=\"1428\">With several of the Cubs\u2019 top prospects in the mix, there\u2019s a sense of anticipation around how these young players will perform under pressure. As the team gears up for the season, the battle for roster spots will be intense, and Cubs fans will be eagerly watching as these players compete for a chance to wear the blue and red come Opening Day.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1430\" data-end=\"1505\"><strong data-start=\"1434\" data-end=\"1505\">Position Breakdown: Pitchers, Catchers, Infielders, and Outfielders<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1803\">The Cubs have invited a diverse group of players to spring training, including pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders. Each of these players brings something unique to the table, and their performances over the next few weeks will determine how they factor into the Cubs\u2019 plans for 2026.<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1860\"><strong data-start=\"1810\" data-end=\"1860\">Pitchers: 8 Players with an Eye on the Bullpen<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"1862\" data-end=\"2112\">Pitching remains one of the Cubs&#8217; top priorities as they prepare for the season, and eight pitchers have received invites to spring training. These players will be fighting for roles on the Cubs&#8217; staff, with several battling for spots in the bullpen.<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"3310\">\n<li data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2249\">\n<p data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2249\"><strong data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2133\">Jeff Brigham<\/strong>: With prior experience in major league bullpens, Brigham will be looking to prove his value as a reliable reliever.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2250\" data-end=\"2392\">\n<p data-start=\"2253\" data-end=\"2392\"><strong data-start=\"2253\" data-end=\"2267\">Grant Kipp<\/strong>: Known for his explosive fastball, Kipp will need to refine his control if he\u2019s to break into the Cubs&#8217; bullpen this season.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2569\">\n<p data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2569\"><strong data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2413\">Corbin Martin<\/strong>: As one of the more intriguing names on the list, Martin has the potential to develop into a key contributor if he can continue to improve his consistency.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2570\" data-end=\"2695\">\n<p data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2695\"><strong data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2590\">Connor Noland<\/strong>: A young arm with a bright future, Noland is looking to prove that he belongs at the major league level.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2696\" data-end=\"2841\">\n<p data-start=\"2699\" data-end=\"2841\"><strong data-start=\"2699\" data-end=\"2717\">Connor Schultz<\/strong>: With a solid track record in the minors, Schultz will be aiming to continue his development and earn a spot with the Cubs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2842\" data-end=\"2983\">\n<p data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2983\"><strong data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2862\">Collin Snider<\/strong>: Known for his velocity, Snider could be a valuable addition to the bullpen if he can harness his stuff and avoid walks.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2984\" data-end=\"3117\">\n<p data-start=\"2987\" data-end=\"3117\"><strong data-start=\"2987\" data-end=\"3005\">Trent Thornton<\/strong>: With big-league experience, Thornton will be looking to solidify his role as a reliable option out of the pen.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3310\">\n<p data-start=\"3121\" data-end=\"3310\"><strong data-start=\"3121\" data-end=\"3138\">Jaxon Wiggins<\/strong>: A top prospect in the Cubs\u2019 system, Wiggins is one of the most exciting names on this list. His performance in spring training could set him up for a breakthrough season.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3496\">The Cubs are looking for reliable arms to bolster their bullpen, and any one of these pitchers could find themselves in a key role with the team if they impress during spring training.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3496\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.bleedcubbieblue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2026\/02\/gettyimages-2209832189.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=2.1513958482462%2C26.215796764819%2C97.848604151754%2C43.484850063016&amp;w=2400\" alt=\"Cubs invite 18 non-roster players to Spring Training | Bleed Cubbie Blue\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"3498\" data-end=\"3545\"><strong data-start=\"3503\" data-end=\"3545\">Catchers: 3 Players Battling for Depth<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3734\">While the Cubs are set at the starting catcher position with Willson Contreras, having depth behind the plate is crucial, and three catchers have been invited to compete for backup roles.<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"4231\">\n<li data-start=\"3736\" data-end=\"3901\">\n<p data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3901\"><strong data-start=\"3739\" data-end=\"3754\">Ariel Armas<\/strong>: Known for his solid defensive skills, Armas will need to prove he can contribute offensively as well if he wants a shot at a backup catcher role.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"4070\">\n<p data-start=\"3905\" data-end=\"4070\"><strong data-start=\"3905\" data-end=\"3930\">Christian Bethancourt<\/strong>: A seasoned veteran with experience handling a major league pitching staff, Bethancourt offers valuable depth for the Cubs&#8217; catching corps.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4071\" data-end=\"4231\">\n<p data-start=\"4074\" data-end=\"4231\"><strong data-start=\"4074\" data-end=\"4089\">Casey Optiz<\/strong>: A strong defensive catcher, Optiz will be looking to prove he can hit at the major league level and provide depth in the Cubs&#8217; organization.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"4233\" data-end=\"4506\">With Contreras holding down the starting job, these three catchers will be fighting for limited spots on the Cubs&#8217; roster. The competition could be tight, and the best player will need to demonstrate they can handle both the defensive and offensive demands of the position.<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"4508\" data-end=\"4568\"><strong data-start=\"4513\" data-end=\"4568\">Infielders: 4 Players Seeking Versatility and Depth<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"4570\" data-end=\"4752\">The Cubs are looking to build versatility in their infield, and four players have been invited to spring training to compete for depth roles in the middle infield and on the corners.<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"4754\" data-end=\"5419\">\n<li data-start=\"4754\" data-end=\"4927\">\n<p data-start=\"4757\" data-end=\"4927\"><strong data-start=\"4757\" data-end=\"4774\">Scott Kingery<\/strong>: A multi-position player with big-league experience, Kingery\u2019s ability to play several positions could make him a valuable addition to the Cubs\u2019 roster.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4928\" data-end=\"5076\">\n<p data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"5076\"><strong data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4948\">Jonathon Long<\/strong>: A promising prospect with a strong bat, Long will need to show he can handle big-league pitching to earn a spot with the Cubs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5077\" data-end=\"5210\">\n<p data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5210\"><strong data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5095\">B.J. Murray<\/strong>: A player with plenty of upside, Murray has the potential to become a key contributor if he can refine his skills.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5419\">\n<p data-start=\"5214\" data-end=\"5419\"><strong data-start=\"5214\" data-end=\"5233\">Jefferson Rojas<\/strong>: One of the Cubs\u2019 top prospects, Rojas is a talented infielder with excellent defensive abilities. He will be a player to watch as he looks to make an impression during spring training.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5419\"><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/2cic.b-cdn.net\/c\/stories\/24\/baseball\/shaw_batting_rick_scuteri.jpg\" alt=\"Cubs invite 20 non-roster players to MLB Spring Training | ChicagoSportsHQ\" \/><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"5421\" data-end=\"5677\">These four infielders will be competing for a spot on the Cubs\u2019 bench, and their ability to provide flexibility will be crucial. Rojas, in particular, is a top prospect who could factor into the Cubs&#8217; long-term plans, making him a player to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n<h4 data-start=\"5679\" data-end=\"5739\"><strong data-start=\"5684\" data-end=\"5739\">Outfielders: 3 Players Fighting for the Fourth Spot<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p data-start=\"5741\" data-end=\"5940\">The Cubs are solid in the outfield with three established starters, but they are still in search of a fourth outfielder to provide depth. Three players have received invites to compete for this role.<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"5942\" data-end=\"6588\">\n<li data-start=\"5942\" data-end=\"6116\">\n<p data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"6116\"><strong data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"5962\">Brett Bateman<\/strong>: Bateman brings speed and on-base ability to the table, and if he can show he can contribute at the major league level, he could be a useful depth piece.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6117\" data-end=\"6377\">\n<p data-start=\"6120\" data-end=\"6377\"><strong data-start=\"6120\" data-end=\"6137\">Dylan Carlson<\/strong>: A former first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals, Carlson is a well-rounded player who can play all three outfield positions. He\u2019s one of the favorites to make the roster, and his ability to perform in spring training will be crucial.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6378\" data-end=\"6588\">\n<p data-start=\"6381\" data-end=\"6588\"><strong data-start=\"6381\" data-end=\"6399\">Chas McCormick<\/strong>: A player with big-league experience, McCormick has shown flashes of excellence when healthy. If he can stay injury-free, he could be a key contributor as a fourth outfielder for the Cubs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"6590\" data-end=\"6876\">Carlson and McCormick are the leading candidates to make the opening-day roster, but Bateman will also be looking to prove he can fill a valuable role. The competition for the fourth outfield spot is sure to be fierce, and it will be interesting to see who emerges as the top candidate.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6878\" data-end=\"6940\"><strong data-start=\"6882\" data-end=\"6940\">A Look Ahead: Spring Training as a Crucial Opportunity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6942\" data-end=\"7232\">With so much talent and potential in this group of non-roster invitees, the Cubs&#8217; spring training will be one to watch. For players like Wiggins, Rojas, Carlson, and McCormick, this is their chance to secure a place on the roster and potentially make a significant impact during the season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7234\" data-end=\"7536\">The Cubs are still in a rebuilding phase, but with a strong mix of veterans and exciting young prospects, the team is positioning itself for a successful future. As spring training progresses, Cubs fans will be eagerly watching to see who rises to the occasion and makes their mark on the organization.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7234\" data-end=\"7536\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.bleedcubbieblue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/11\/gettyimages-2102849580.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C99.99048434675&amp;w=2400\" alt=\"Cubs invite 18 non-roster players to Spring Training | Bleed Cubbie Blue\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7538\" data-end=\"7953\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">With the first formal workout for pitchers and catchers already scheduled for Wednesday at the team\u2019s complex in Mesa, Arizona, and the first full-squad workout set for next Monday, there\u2019s no time to waste. The competition is just beginning, and the Cubs\u2019 spring training promises to be filled with exciting storylines and intense competition. Stay tuned, because the race for a spot on the 2026 Cubs roster is on!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>invitations present a significant opportunity for players who aren&#8217;t yet on the Cubs&#8217; 40-man roster but are looking to make an impact in the organization. As spring&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":151018,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-151002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Chicago Cubs extend nonroster invitations to 18 players for spring training \u2014 and one of them could be the next big surprise! With camp just around the corner, these under-the-radar talents are itching for a chance to impress. Could a hidden gem rise from this group and make an unexpected impact on the Cubs\u2019 2026 season? Stay tuned, this spring could reveal more than expected \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Chicago Cubs extend nonroster invitations to 18 players for spring training \u2014 and one of them could be the next big surprise! With camp just around the corner, these under-the-radar talents are itching for a chance to impress. Could a hidden gem rise from this group and make an unexpected impact on the Cubs\u2019 2026 season? Stay tuned, this spring could reveal more than expected \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"invitations present a significant opportunity for players who aren&#8217;t yet on the Cubs&#8217; 40-man roster but are looking to make an impact in the organization. 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Stay tuned, this spring could reveal more than expected \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-10T134704.061.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-10T06:49:46+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-10T06:49:46+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-10T134704.061.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-10T134704.061.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=151002#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Chicago Cubs extend nonroster invitations to 18 players for spring training \u2014 and one of them could be the next big surprise! With camp just around the corner, these under-the-radar talents are itching for a chance to impress. Could a hidden gem rise from this group and make an unexpected impact on the Cubs\u2019 2026 season? Stay tuned, this spring could reveal more than expected \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec","name":"MrThanh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MrThanh"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=151002"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":151019,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151002\/revisions\/151019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/151018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=151002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=151002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=151002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}