Cubs Trim Five from Roster, Ian Happ to Start at AAA

The Cubs made yet another round of cuts, dropping the roster to 31 as Opening Day looms less than a week away. Righty Eddie Butler and lefty Rob Zastryzny, both candidates for eventual spot starts and consideration for more permanent roles, were optioned to AAA Iowa.

WBC breakout star John Andreoli and catch Taylor Davis were assigned to minor-league camp. Ian Happ was also assigned and will open the season at Iowa, according to Patrick Mooney. There had been some debate over whether he’d be better served by a little more seasoning at Tennessee, but Happ’s performance in Mesa has erased all doubt as to whether he’s ready.

“Offensively, what’s not to like,” asked GM Jed Hoyer (per Mooney tweet). “I feel like he hit the ball hard every at-bat for six weeks.”

It’ll be fun to see what Happ is able to do with regular run at Des Moines and whether he forces the Cubs’ hand as other prospects have over the past couple seasons.

Only six more spots to go before the Cubs have the 25 with whom they’ll break camp and head to St. Louis.