Cubs choose ex-Orioles switch-hitter over No. 4 prospect for Opening Day roster
Cubs choose ex-Orioles switch-hitter over No. 4 prospect for Opening Day roster originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing their Opening Day roster, but the organization's No. 4 prospect will not break camp with the Major League club.
According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian , the Cubs optioned outfielder Kevin Alcantara to Triple-A on Tuesday. Switch-hitter Dylan Carlson, a former top prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals who spent last season with the Baltimore Orioles , had his contract selected.
Carlson's inclusion on Chicago's roster may also be attributed to a handful of spring training injuries. Seiya Suzuki will begin the year on the injured list after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the World Baseball Classic with Japan.
First baseman/designated hitter Tyler Austin will miss an extended period of time after undergoing right knee surgery.
Carlson makes Cubs' Opening Day roster
Carlson is a corner outfielder who was a first-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2016. He hit just .203/.278/.336 with six home runs and a .614 OPS in 241 trips to the plate with the Orioles in 2025.
Simply, Alcantara hasn't shown enough of the talent that makes him one of the Cubs' highly touted prospects. The 23-year-old appeared in a combined 13 games at the Major League level the past two seasons, collecting five hits and five strikeouts in 22 plate appearances.
The Cubs expect to be one of the NL's top contenders, and Carlson may offer better versatility off the bench to open the season.
