Cubs reduce roster to 41 players including Nelson Velazquez

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MESA – The Chicago Cubs today reduced the spring roster from 51 to 41 players.

Outfielder Nelson Velázquez has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Nine non-roster invitees have been assigned to minor league camp: right-handed pitchers Nick Burdi, Manuel Rodríguez and Cam Sanders; left-handed pitcher Brendon Little; catcher Dom Nuñez; infielders Sergio Alcántara, David Bote and Matt Mervis; and outfielder Ben DeLuzio.

Chicago’s spring roster of 41 players consists of 24 pitchers (which includes six non-roster invitees and two on the 60-day injured list), three catchers (one non-roster invitee), eight infielders, four outfielders (one non-roster invitee) and two infielder/outfielders.