3/19 Cubs trim eight from spring camp

The Cubs trimmed eight players from the spring camp roster, including 2008 No. 1 Draft pick Andrew Cashner. The right-handed pitcher, who was on the travel squad and expected to pitch Friday against the Chicago White Sox, had appeared in three games and given up one run on four hits and five walks over five innings.

Pitchers Blake Parker and Jeff Stevens and catcher Wellington Castillo were optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Five non-roster invitees were assigned to the Minor League camp, including pitchers Cashner, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, and J.R. Mathes; and infielder Bryan LaHair.

Stevens, acquired from Cleveland in the Mark DeRosa deal, appeared in 11 games with the big league team last year and posted a 7.11 ERA. This spring, the right-hander had four innings over four games and had given up eight runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks.

Diamond was a non-roster invitee who was claimed off waivers from Texas, and had not given up a run in 4 1/3 innings. He gave up one hit and three walks in three games.

The roster is now at 42, including 18 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders, and eight outfielders.

– Carrie Muskat