GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cubs are ticketing Carl Edwards Jr. for Triple-A Iowa’s bullpen, hoping he can someday give manager Joe Maddon a different look for the late innings.
The Cubs cut their spring roster to 45 players before Friday’s game against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch, optioning Edwards, right-hander Pierce Johnson, lefty C.J. Riefenhauser, infielder Arismendy Alcantara and catcher Willson Contreras to Iowa.
The Cubs also optioned third baseman Jeimer Candelario to Double-A Tennessee and assigned five more players to minor-league camp: right-handers Stephen Fife, Felix Pena and Drew Rucinski; lefty Edgar Olmos; and catcher Taylor Davis.