The Cubs today announced that the they have reduced their Spring Training roster by sending infielder Nico Hoerner and left-handed pitcher Brad Wieck down to Triple-A Iowa. Additionally, four non-roster invitees were reassigned to minor-league camp: right-handed pitchers Trevor Megill, Shelby Miller and Pedro Strop and outfielder Rafael Ortega. Finally, outfielder Cameron Maybin was granted his release.
This reduces the Cubs Spring Training roster to 31, down from 38.
The most controversial move here is the demotion of Hoerner, which Sara Sanchez wrote about earlier today. Of the rest, Miller had pitched fairly well in limited Spring Training action, but has only pitched about 120 innings total over the past four seasons as he’s struggled to come back from Tommy John surgery.