{"id":161849,"date":"2026-03-09T15:01:46","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161849"},"modified":"2026-03-09T15:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T15:02:00","slug":"161849","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=161849","title":{"rendered":"Cubs Shock Fans with Brutal First Cuts: Top Pitching Prospect Already Sent Packing \u2013 Is This a Smart Development Move or a Sign of Front-Office Panic?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Chicago<\/picture><\/div>\n
Chicago Cubs Hat | IMAGO \/ Icon Sportswire<\/div>\n

Spring Training not only marks the beginning of the baseball season but also provides teams with essential tangible evidence of how their roster and prospects may perform when it matters.<\/p>\n

The pressure is on for these athletes, and they\u2019re working against the clock. They know teams make their first round of roster cuts before Spring Training wraps up.<\/p>\n

For the Chicago Cubs, today is that day.<\/p>\n

\"CubsCubs manager Craig Counsell | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cubs make first cuts<\/h2>\n

The team announced Sunday that they\u2019ve cut the Spring Training roster from 62 men to 53, sending nine athletes back to minor league affiliates and camps.<\/p>\n

Right-handed pitchers Riley Martin and Jack Neely, and infielders Ben Cowles and James Triantos were optioned to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, while infielder Pedro Ramirez was optioned to the Double-A Knoxville Smokies.<\/p>\n

Right -handed pitchers Grant Kipp, Connor Noland, Connor Schultz and Jaxon Wiggins were all sent back to minor league camp.<\/p>\n

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Today's roster moves presented by @NuveenInv<\/a>: pic.twitter.com\/JYwYTReKr8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n