March 29--After the release of Shane Victorino, Munenori Kawasaki and Manny Parra, the Chicago Cubs' roster stands at 32 entering the final five exhibition games.
But the roster could be finalized sooner. Pitcher Dallas Beeler and Aaron Crow and infielder Christian Villanueva are set to join Zac Rosscup on the disabled list. Tim Federowicz will get plenty of playing time in the exhibition games in Las Vegas but isn't expected to make the team, and pitcher Aaron Brooks appears destined to start the season at Triple-A Iowa.
If infielder Javier Baez is cleared to start the season, the Cubs likely will carry 13 pitchers with reliever Neil Ramirez earning the final spot. That will leave left-handed hitting infielder Tommy La Stella and outfielder Matt Szczur, who is out of options, battling for the final spot.
If it's determined that Baez's left thumb won't be completely healed by April 4, the Cubs could place him on the 15-day disabled list. That could leave three players -- Ramirez, La Stella and Szczur -- competing for two spots.
