The Cubs cut the number of bodies in their Major League camp down by quite a few on Friday morning, with the first round of cuts having no surprises involved. The first guys to make their way out of big league camp and head over with their minor league buddies are typically guys that had no real shot of making the MLB Opening Day roster and guys that will start in Double-A. The first guys to get the tough (but predictable) news were 40-man roster members Adbert Alzolay, Oscar De La Cruz, and Duane Underwood Jr. All three pitchers will more than likely take up slots in the Tennessee rotation to begin the year.

In addition to the three players that were optioned, the Cubs also cut ten non-roster invitees from the Major League camp. Pitchers Craig Brooks, David Garner, Thomas Hatch, Alberto Baldonado, Daniel Camarena, and Michael Roth will all move to the minor league backfields for the remainder of the spring. Joining them will be corner infielder Jason Vosler, outfielders Charcer Burks and Bijan Rademacher, and cacher Ian Rice.

Camarena and Roth will spend the remainder of camp competing for spots in the Iowa rotation after being signed to minor league deals in the offseason. Baldonado also signed a minor league deal and will work to win a job in the Iowa bullpen along with righty reliever Garner.

Expect the rest of these guys to find themselves filling rolls in Iowa during the 2018 campaign. They will be on call throughout the season ready to take over holes filled by injured players in Chicago.